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 The Arikara War: the first Plains Indian war, 1823
 

The Arikara War: the first Plains Indian war, 1823. William R. Nester.

In 1823, at the height of the fur trade, Arikara warriors attacked an American trapping expedition on the Missouri River in present-day South Dakota. Thus began the brief Arikara War—the first military encounter between the United States and western Indians, and a crucial turning point in both the international relations and trade of a fledgling nation. With 230 soldiers, 750 Sioux allies, and 50 aggrieved trappers, United States Army Colonel Henry Leavenworth retaliated. Soon he was in a position to obliterate the offending Arikara—and chose not to. His show of restraint sparked debate between Americans advocating firm subjugation of the Indians and those with more pacific leanings.

Thoroughly and evenhandedly, from both white and Indian perspectives, William R. Nester examines causes and effects of this little-known war, drawing the reader into the complex political and economic climate of the time. Meticulous research renders The Arikara War invaluable to scholars, while Nester's refreshingly accessible style ensures an engrossing and pleasurable read. Illustrated with paintings by Bodmer, Catlin, Miller, and other period artists, The Arikara War is a fine addition to the annals of Native American history, military history, and the history of the fur trade. 264 pages.

The Arikara War: the first Plains Indian war, 1823. ISBN: 0-87842-430-X. #MOPR1170 cloth$15.00

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