Product Description

During times of armed conflict it is the civilian population that is forced to endure the greatest suffering. Noncombatants, simply trying to survive and make a living, oftentimes fall victim to the brutality of war. This is the theme that Jeff Broome pursues in his study of the Indian wars on the Kansas prairie during the 1860s. He is especially interested in relating the horrific captivity of Susanna Alderdice, who was killed by her Cheyenne captors at the Battle of Summit Springs in July 1869. In addition, the author provides graphic details concerning other atrocities perpetrated upon Kansas settlers by roving bands of Indians during the period. The purpose behind these revelations is not to sensationalize the anguish of the victims, but to demonstrate that recent scholarship has diminished or discounted the degree of suffering endured by the settlers in favor of emphasizing the horror and despair experienced by the Indians. In examining the atrocities that occurred on the plains of Kansas during the Indian Wars, Broome culled the seldom used depredation claims filed by settlers victimized by Indian raids. It seems ironic that these pioneers could request compensation from the federal government for the loss of a pig, but could not expect indemnity as a result of sexual assault, the death of a family member, or wounds received during Indian attacks. The author offers further evidence of the government's callousness toward these beleaguered settlers in noting that many claims were denied due to mere technicalities. Broome saves some acrimony for the military, which failed to adequately protect the frontier farmers and only half-heartedly pursued the raiding Indians. He also relates the story of a contract surgeon with the Seventh Cavalry who refused to provide medical treatment to Susanna Alderdice's four-year-old son, wounded and left for dead by the Indian raiders. Although pierced by no less than five arrows and two bullets, miraculously the little boy managed to survive. Dog Soldier Justice is well-researched and enhanced by numerous rare photographs, some of them coming from the descendants of those persecuted pioneers. Readers should be warned, however, that this is not a book for the faint of heart. Broome's revelations of graphic and senseless violence will, nonetheless, resonate with readers inundated with the similar scenes of carnage played out on our nightly news broadcasts. With a world that is today punctuated by war and terrorism, the images conjured up in this narrative seem all too familiar. It is indeed a pity that after all these years we have learned so little. David Dixon
Slippery Rock University

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1862519 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05
• Binding: Paperback
• 314 pages

Review
"The author provides graphic details concerning other atrocities perpetrated upon Kansas settlers by roving bands of Indians during the period. The purpose behind these revelations is not to sensationalize the anguish of the victims, but to demonstrate that recent scholarship has diminished or discounted the degree of suffering endured by the settlers in favor of emphasizing the horror and despair experienced by the Indians. In examining the atrocities that occurred on the plains of Kansas during the Indian Wars, Broome culled the seldom used depredation claims filed by settlers victimized by Indian raids. It seems ironic that these pioneers could request compensation from the federal government for the loss of a pig, but could not expect indemnity as a result of sexual assault, the death of a family member, or wounds received during the Indian attacks."-David Dixon, Western Historical Quarterly (David Dixon Western Historical Quarterly )

"Jeff Broome has done a meticulous job of research. Instead of putting words into the mouths of historical figures, he quotes contemporary accounts. He makes no attempt to embellish the story because the facts are compelling enough."-Sandra Dallas, Denver Post (Sandra Dallas Denver Post )

"Dog Soldier Justice contributes to an understanding and appreciation of the dangers and hardships endured by settlers."-William McKale, Kansas History (William McKale Kansas History )

About the Author

Customer Reviews

Dog Soldier Justice Review
Jeff Bloome has produced an outstanding narrative concerning a little known period of history in 19th Century Kansas. I was attracted to it because my own grandparents were captured by Indians on a Kansas farm near Marysville, one of my family members was burned at the stake by Indians in the 1700's, and many of my ancestors had to protect their homes and lives from warring tribes in New York and Kansas. This book is the epitome of research on the subject of the Indian raids that terrorized and killed so many settlers in Kansas in the 1860's, and none of it is fiction. Dr. Broome tells the facts in a way that is spellbinding, and in a manner that makes the people of the time, both Settler and Indian alike, very real. Dr. Bloome has the ability to capture their time and the way they felt and reacted to these tragedies. The American settler comes alive, particuarly in the person of Susanna Alderdice and her family. Five stars is the most I am permitted to rate Dog Soldier Justice, but it deserves more than that and anyone whose ancestors were a part of the early history of America should be particularly grateful to Dr. Bloome for his detailed research and the sincere empathy he shows in his writing about these real people on the prairie who eventually succeeded,in making the wild terrority home despite its many dangers. This is not a derogatory piece designed deliberately to make Indians look bad, there were many good Indians, it is simply historical fact about the Dog Soldier Indians who did a great amount of harm to their own cause, and the story needs to be told as it happened, not as some would like it told. The extent of his research and his care in the presentation coupled with a captivating style of writing and complete footnotes to back up this writing makes this a must reading for those interested in the history of the Plains in the 19th Century.

Telling it like it was
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Broome at the Little Big Horn Battlefield this year, 2005. I have found this book to be outstanding in the discription of just how ruthless and savage the Bog Soldiers were to the settelers of the Kansas plains. The research is outstanding and well documented. This book will move you in the hardships the settelers of the West went through and their courage and bravery of them all. The brutality that the Dog Soldier Indians put upon the woman of Kansas is heart braking and it's amazing anyone who survived could have endured. I highly recommend this book, regardless of how you might feel concerning the Indians of Kansas as this book presents the moving story of the will to live and survive and settle Kansas.

Paul Posey
Grovetown, GA

Dog Soldier Justice
I had the honor of meeting Dr. Broome at the 2007 Little Bighorn Association conference in North Platte Nebraska. I would like to think that his scholarship helps to set a standard for historical research. When I consider what I see being produced today by many of our universitys I don't hold out a lot of hope for this though.

Dog Soldier Justice is an amazing piece of research in that it covers ground often ignored today. It looks at the dangers and horrors that often faced pioneers in the form of indian depradations. Today we frequently forget the innocent victims caught up in the plains indian wars. We also forget that evil acts were committed by the indians as much as the white man. Dr. Broome manages to correct some of this by the tragic story of this one woman and her family. He also reminds the reader that this sort of treatment was not the exception and more common than many historians are willing to admit. There is some justice in relating the truth and Dr. Broome's book is a step towards this.