US Cavalry on the Plains 1850–90 (Men-at-Arms)

Interesting read. Also useful I’m my plan to recreate a historically correct uniform, equipment, and tack set v

I referred to this book over and over as I wrote my novel, The Dawn of a Dream. The text and illustrations are exactly what I needed for reference. I'd recommend U.S. Cavalry on the Plains to any student of America's military history in the west.

Normally I get Osprey books for photos and the color plates to reference for painting. I don’t expect in-depth textual coverage but this book is the worst I’ve ever seen. The author liberally inserts his opinions instead of facts. For example, a caption under Custer reads “In many ways his erratic later career symbolizes all the arrogant stupidity of too many whites on the plains.” That is editorializing. Whether you agree or not, it should not matter. It’s a very un-scholarly approach and does not belong in short historical books when all that is required is a simple historical outline. This is not “Son of Morning Star.” . Why was Custer stupid? This presupposes the authors views are the readers views and does not elaborate on the historical reasons this author makes the statement. In addition, the uniform plates are simply bare minimum. I cannot recommend the book at all. It’s a shame. I own many Osprey books but this one is simply substandard.

Good history reference.

A great book about the development of uniforms, military organization and equipment of the US Cavalry in the XIX century. Incredible detailed and superb color plates by Ron Volstad. Excelent to complement other related titles about US Cavalry and American Plain Wars.

This 48 page example of the Osprey Men-At-Arms series holds up well along side its many brethren in the long string of pamphlets. Author Philip R. Katcher certainly seems to know his oats. The time line neatly splits along the early pre-civil war, the civil war era and the later couple of decades on the 19th century. I did miss the story of the Indian wars in Arizona (where I live) but the title clearly says Plains so its my bad there. Katcher covers each regiment of cavalry in sufficient detail that we have a sense of which regiments were where at a given time. Most of the handful of cavalry regiments had a fair number of battles fought. Note that the battles were fought over a long period of time. Katcher points out that a given trooper might engage in only one or two fights in the period of his five year enlistment. Often, a given trooper would never have reason to fire his weapon in earnest. Which given the average trooper's level of training would be a very good thing. He does tell of each of the more famous battles in good detail. Custer was a bad officer, if you didn't know that already. I think this is a particularly good example of the Osprey brand. Model builders and gamers will enjoy the full color plates by Ron Volstad. The plates give details not simply of the uniforms but of the arms used in various periods as well.

Book was wet in the upper left hand corner on binding resulting in the pages being stuck togather.

Don't waste your money on this book unless, of course, you want to read propaganda and lies that are a gross distortion of the historical record. Full of one sided, inaccurate descriptions of Indians and absurd fairy tales about 'heroic' whites who never did any wrong. Shame on the author and publisher for printing this drivel. It sounds right out of the 1950s.

Bought for my son as a present

Interresting but aimed at children

ce bouquin est tres prècis et documentè sur la cavalry mais hèlas il n existe pas en langue française parfait

Really happy