In August of 1862, the Santee (Dakota) Sioux tribe launched a spontaneous revolt against their white neighbors. Looting and killing, the Santee Sioux ravaged the unprotected countryside and small towns of southern Minnesota. When it was all over, more than five hundred people died. But the killing was not yet over: after a quick trial, thirty-eight Santee Sioux were later hanged to death in the largest mass execution in U.S. history.

The Great Sioux Uprising: Rebellion on the Plains August-September 1862

History

Keenan, Jerry

Americas

Da Capo Press

The wars with the Indians were the longest running conflict in American history. This highly illustrated encyclopedia reveals the common threads that weave through the four centuries of clashes, from Columbus's voyage to the Wounded Knee Massacre. While people automatically think of the Revolutionary War or the Civil War as defining moments in American history, the wars with the Indians were strikingly important in shaping the destiny and mythology of the nation. Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars notes the inevitability of conflict between western and native cultures given the great disparity in values and customs, especially with regard to land ownership. It also analyzes the many indirect changes in Indian lifestyles caused by the settlers ― such as the introduction of iron implements and firearms ― which changed the balance of power between traditional enemies. In a wide-ranging panorama of 450 entries and 70 illustrations, this comprehensive volume provides an in-depth analysis of pivotal battles, famous and infamous leaders, and broken treaties. It explores lesser known subjects, such as dog soldiers, ghost dancing, scalping and scalp bounties, staked plains, praying towns, the Galvanized Confederates, and stories of white captives, some of whom preferred life with Indian captors over rescue. Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars paints a complete, objective, and detailed picture of the bloody conflicts that gave birth to the nation ― and their terrible cost. "Keenan fills a gap in reference collections. Information on many of the entries can be found in other sources . . . but the Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars pulls them together. Recommended." ― Booklist "Clear, concise entries. . . . Fills a niche, bringing together and giving order to a great deal of information about a complex series of interwoven incidents." ― Choice 70 illustrations

Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars: 1492-1890

W.W.Norton&Company

The famed Union fighting force of William T. Sherman was plagued by a lack of first-rate cavalry-until James Harrison Wilson transformed a collection of independent regiments and brigades with fierce effectiveness. Wilson's Cavalry helped thwart Confederate General Hood's 1864 invasion of Tennessee, then moved south for the capture of Selma, Montgomery, and Columbus. This book is the first history of the Cavalry Corps, with particular attention paid to Wilson's achievement in creating an infrastructure for his corps.

Wilson's Cavalry Corps: Union Campaigns in the Western Theatre, October 1864 Through Spring 1865

McFarland Publishing

The famed fighting force of Union General William T. Sherman was plagued by a lack of first-rate cavalry--mostly because of Sherman's belief, after some bad experiences, that the cavalry was largely a waste of good horses. The man Grant sent to change Sherman's mind was James Harrison Wilson, a bright, ambitious, and outspoken young officer with a penchant for organization. Wilson proved the perfect man for the job, transforming a collection of independent regiments and brigades into a fiercely effective mounted unit. Wilson's Cavalry, as it came to be known, played a major role in thwarting Confederate General Hood's 1864 invasion of Tennessee, then moved south for the celebrated capture of Selma, Montgomery, and Columbus. Despite such success, it is this book that is the first overall history of the Cavalry Corps. In addition to meticulous description of military actions, the book affords particular attention to Wilson's outstanding achievement in creating an infrastructure for his corps, even as he covered the Federal flanks in the withdrawal to Franklin and Nashville.

Wilson's Cavalry Corps: Union Campaigns in the Western Theatre, October 1864 through Spring 1865

McFarland

Expansion! The history of the United States might well be summed up in that single word. The Indian Wars of the American West were a continuation of the struggle that began with the arrival of the first Europeans, and escalated as they advanced across the Appalachians before American independence had been won. This history of the Indian Wars of the Trans-Mississippi begins with the earliest clashes between Native Americans and Anglo-European settlers. The author provides a comprehensive narrative of the conflict in eight parts, covering eight geographical regions--the Pacific Northwest; California and Nevada; New Mexico, the Central Plains, the Southern Plains; Iowa, Minnesota and the Northern Plains; the Intermountain West, and the Desert Southwest--with an epilogue on Wounded Knee.

The Terrible Indian Wars of the West: A History from the Whitman Massacre to Wounded Knee, 1846-1890

McFarland Company

Luther Sage "Yellowstone" Kelly (1849-1928) was neither flamboyant nor a braggart; he felt no need to embellish stories of his accomplishments. It was this modesty that has allowed Kelly to almost disappear from the pages of history. Until now, that is. Thanks to Jerry Keenan's dogged research we now have the first full-length biography of this extraordinary man, who knew the frontier of the American West and recorded his impressions of that time and place with a fluid, literary pen. 
Kelly was born in Geneva, in the Finger Lakes region of western New York. He joined the army at the close of the Civil War, spending three years at lonely outposts in Minnesota and Dakota. At the conclusion of his enlistment, he headed west to begin life as a frontiersman, explorer, and army scout and came to know the Upper Missouri and Yellowstone River valleys as well as any white man of his era.
In mid-life, he explored Alaska, fought in the Philippines, and served as agent at the San Carlos Apache reservation in Arizona. Later, he prospected in Nevada before finally retiring to the quiet life of a California orchardist.
In preparing this biography, Jerry Keenan used Kelly's memoirs and personal correspondence, along with a variety of primary and secondary sources, to produce a comprehensive look at this remarkable man who knew many prominent figures of his era, including George Bird Grinnell, Col. Nelson A. Miles, William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, and President Theodore Roosevelt.

The Life of Yellowstone Kelly

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

University of New Mexico Press

In the first full-length biography of Luther Sage “Yellowstone” Kelly (1849–1928), Jerry Keenan provides a comprehensive look at this extraordinary man of the American West. After joining the army at the close of the Civil War and spending three years at outposts in Minnesota and Dakota, Kelly headed west to begin life as a frontiersman, explorer, and army scout and came to know the Upper Missouri and Yellowstone River valleys. In midlife, he explored Alaska, fought in the Philippines, and served as agent at the San Carlos Apache reservation in Arizona. Later, he prospected in Nevada before finally retiring to the quiet life of a California orchardist.Based on Kelly’s memoirs and personal correspondence, this book offers insight into many of the prominent figures he knew, including George Bird Grinnell, Col. Nelson A. Miles, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, and President Theodore Roosevelt.

An insightful and valuable resource on the major conflicts between American Indian tribes and Euro-American settlers from the arrival of Columbus to the Battle of Wounded Knee.
Historians, writers, and students will welcome this extensively illustrated and well-organized volume. An important historical resource, Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars covers the major clashes between American Indian tribes and Euro-American settlers from the arrival of Columbus to the Battle of Wounded Knee, centered mainly within the geographical area that now comprises the contiguous United States. It provides essential information on major battles and military campaigns, treaties, significant sites, American Indian tribes, and notable military and political leaders, both Indian and white, presented in a handy, encyclopedic style.
 • Extensively illustrated

ABC-CLIO

45 page pamphlet. Third Edition. Signed by the author on the 125th anniversary of the Wagon Box Fight.

The Wagon Box Fight

Lightning Tree Press

Fiction. Was Benjamin L. E. Bonneville, captain of the U.S. Army, granted a two-year leave to try his hand as a fur trader in the Rocky Mountain West? Or did his superiors have ulterior motives, tasking Bonneville to spy on the British in the Pacific Northwest? The Bonneville expedition began in Missouri and made its way to the Oregon country, territory at the time shared through mutual agreement by the U.S. and Great Britain. Yet the British presence there caused grave concerns about the geographic boundaries of our nation. This fictional account of the Bonneville expedition brings to life the difficult trek facing Bonneville and his men in their encounters with Native Americans and their struggles against the harsh elements on their westward journey to Oregon.

West of Green River: a novel of the Bonneville Expedition 1832-1835

Literature & Fiction

United States

Owl Canyon Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Keenan, Jerry. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Keenan, Jerry

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Keenan, Jerry. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Great Sioux Uprising: Rebellion on the Plains August-September 1862

Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars: 1492-1890

Wilson's Cavalry Corps: Union Campaigns in the Western Theatre, October 1864 Through Spring 1865

Wilson's Cavalry Corps: Union Campaigns in the Western Theatre, October 1864 through Spring 1865

The Terrible Indian Wars of the West: A History from the Whitman Massacre to Wounded Knee, 1846-1890

The Life of Yellowstone Kelly

The Life of Yellowstone Kelly

Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars: 1492-1890

The Wagon Box Fight

West of Green River: a novel of the Bonneville Expedition 1832-1835