Holmes' three decades in the US army piqued his interest in military history, which he then taught at a high school back home in New Mexico. Here he tells of an earlier period in the Army's history, pivoting on the nearby fort, now bare ruins, that it occupied for nearly three decades while battling the general lawlessness and the hostile Native Americans in the southern part of the Territory. He explores the birth of a fort, life there, the conduct of military operations, logistics, relationships with the local communities, and the death of a fort. Commanders and units for the entire period are appended. He has not indexed his work. Annotation 2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
