This is one of the most interesting American frontier stories you will ever read. If you have any interest in early American exploration, U.S. Army expeditions, or just great stories, then this is one book you should read. The author, U.S. Army Major Randolph Marcy was assigned to explore the Red River Valley which divided the Indian Territory and the Republic of Texas in 1852. With a small detachment of soldiers, Maj. Marcy maps and documents every mile of their journey. This book is a copy of the original report Major Marcy presented to the War Department upon completion of his assignment. The book has detailed accounts of the terrain, weather, animals, plants, rocks/minerals, water availability and quality...everything you would expect from an official government exploration. Major Marcy explains Native American encounters, feelings shared by his men and those of his Indian scouts, personal feelings, illnesses and basically every step of the expedition. Don't expect a glorified, novel type, story. This is a soldiers journal that was then written up as a factual account so those in Washington could have a true picture of part of our nations southern border as it was in 1852. Maps, diagrams, drawings of plants and animals, its all here just like Major Marcy presented it.