This is the second volume of a projected four-volume work. In Volume I the author delineated the uniforms; arms; accouterments; and equipment of the period from 1776 to 1850. In this volume he addresses himself to the eventful; bloody tragic mid-nineteenth century. Here he describes the dress and equipment of the horse soldier of the early frontier; the Mexican War; the Civil War; and the wars with the Indians. The uniforms; insignia; decorations; arms; and horse gear are described and profusely illustrated in three color plates and 126 black-and-white drawings. For his models the author used actual uniforms and equipment; supported by official government documents.Among the subjects covered in this volume are the dress and equipment manufactured to meet the needs of cavalrymen at the early outposts east of the Missouri and in the brief War with Mexico that was a testing ground for the Civil War to come. (Ironically; much of the equipment and arms used by the United States Cavalry was designed by officers and government employees who later joined the Confederates.)After the war came a new duty for the horse soldier—pacification of the hostile Indians of the West. As the needs of this harsh and demanding duty became clear; radical modifications were made to meet them. All these changes are described and minutely illustrated in this; the second volume of an indispensable reference work for American historians.
#769008 in Books 1987-01-29Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.31 x 2.00 x 6.31l; 2.71 #File Name: 0805465693848 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Served the Purpose...By UpDownAllAroundDecent book with tons of great info.this was a mandatory text for a seminary course.If you're a history buff you'll probably love it.Obviously it's presented from a very Baptist perspective; but there's no surprise there (or shouldn't be).There doesn't seem to be much objectivity since it is written by a Baptist for Baptists about Baptists.As a graduate level text my expectation is for a broader academic experience... What do other denominations think about the Baptist heritage.I think I would have gotten more out of a collection of essays - or at the vary least to have a broader ecumenical assessment.I didn't like the presentation format personally. The author brings up the same subject multiple times in different places.If I want to learn about the "Downgrade Controversy" I want all the info in one place - that's my personal preference; butMcBeth presents it in bits and pieces as the story 'unfolds' so-to-speak.Lastly; the book was published in '87. Not that what happened 400 years ago has changed since '87; but maybe some newinsights - new scholarship... something to breath some new life into this text would be nice.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Comprehensive; authoritative; and approachable.By Mark HarveyMcBeth's work is essential reading if you're interested in where the Baptists came from and why we are the way we are.The book was published in 1987; so the later chapters that deal with "current events" are dated; but the accounts of origins and developments through the middle of the 20th century are complete and convincing.Interestingly; in spite of the book's length; I found myself wishing for MORE detail about some subjects; especially the development of fundamentalism within Baptist circles in the 20th century. If that subject interests you; Marsden's Fundamentalism and American Culture fills the gap nicely.Highly recommended.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Encyclopedic treatment of Baptist historyBy Jeff JonesThis was a seminary textbook; and was very valuable to me.Perhaps the best feature; for me; was the attention paid to Baptist history outside of the US and UK--as a Canadian; I found McBeth's attention to Baptists in Canada most helpful.I'd strongly recommend getting the accompanying volume - Source Book for Baptist Heritage - which is; unfortunately; not available for Kindle; but has excerpts of many hard-to-find source documents.
