Beecher Island ????

[Pitspitr]

With the recent purchase of a Spencer carbine and the fact that one of the scouts was named Davenport I'm getting more interested in the Beecher Island fight. I've read Fifty Fearless Men by Orvel Criqui and Thrilling Army Days by Sandy Forsyth. I'm looking for books that deal more with the early parts of the campaign as well as the whole conflict and it's after effects. I'd especially be interested in any information anybody might have about Harry Davenport.

Major Forsyth mentioned that Davenport was a veteran of the Civil War. I've searched the National Park Service Civil War Soldier and Sailors System and it would appear that if he were indeed a veteran of the conflict, "Harry" must have been a contraction of "Harrison" as there are 5 Harrison Davenports but no Harry's.

Anyway, if anybody has any suggested reading I would appreciate it.

[Tascosa Joe]

Try "Death on the Prairie" by Paul I. Wellman.  It covers the 30 yrs of the Indian wars in an over view.  Has some pretty good info.  Also "Indian Fights and Fighters" by Cyrus Townsend Brady.  If I was going to purchase 1 of the 2 I would buy the Brady book.
T-Joe

[Pitspitr]

I forgot "Indian Fights and Fighters" had a section on Beechers Island. I'll have to re-read it.

Thanks for the suggestion about "Death on the Prairie"

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[Tascosa Joe]

I picked up both of those books at Fort Knox on trips thru there.  They had a great book store with lots  of Indian Wars/Cavalry related books when Knox was the Home of Armor and the Armor School.  Back before the "Light Mafia"  took over the army and moved everything to Benning.

[Trailrider]

There is a book IIRC, by Fred Warner, on the Beecher Island fight. Don't know if it is still in print, as it was not published in large numbers.

[kurt250]

very good book, out of print but around used. " war cries on horseback" buy stephen longstreet. a little p.c in some places but quite good. kurt250

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Any movies?  I recall one with Stacey Keach that seemed to be about Beecher Island???

[Pitspitr]

There is a book IIRC, by Fred Warner, on the Beecher Island fight. Don't know if it is still in print, as it was not published in large numbers.

Amazon lists "Beecher Island Battle: September 17, 1868" by Fred H. Werner

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

825 books available

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?kn=Beecher+Island&sts=t&x=59&y=13

[JimBob]

Cozzens "Eyewitness to the Indian Wars" Vol.3 devotes a section to the Beecher's Island fight.Forsyth does mention Harry Davenport,there are 12 accounts of the fight,been awhile since I read them so not sure if he shows up in any others.He does place Davenport and others in the group as having served in "either the Regular Army or the United States or Confederate volunteers.

Interestingly Forsyth list what each man was equiped with," Our equipment was simple:a blanket apiece,a saddle and bridle,a lariat and picket pin,a canteen,a haversack,butcher knife,tin plate,and tin cup.A Spencer repeating rifle,a Colt's revolver,army size,and 140 rounds of rifle and 30 rounds of revolver ammunition per man-this carried on the person."

[Trailrider]

Cozzens "Eyewitness to the Indian Wars" Vol.3 devotes a section to the Beecher's Island fight.Forsyth does mention Harry Davenport,there are 12 accounts of the fight,been awhile since I read them so not sure if he shows up in any others.He does place Davenport and others in the group as having served in "either the Regular Army or the United States or Confederate volunteers.

Interestingly Forsyth list what each man was equiped with," Our equipment was simple:a blanket apiece,a saddle and bridle,a lariat and picket pin,a canteen,a haversack,butcher knife,tin plate,and tin cup.A Spencer repeating rifle,a Colt's revolver,army size,and 140 rounds of rifle and 30 rounds of revolver ammunition per man-this carried on the person."

Forsyth's listing of a "Spencer repeating rifle" is a bit ambiguous, as the Ordnance reports show Spencer carbines (under the heading of Carbines) as "Spencer Repeating Rifles". On the other hand, the reports also list "Spencer Repeating Rifles with triangular bayonet."  We know that at least some of the Scouts were armed with Spencer carbines. However, we also know from the Ordnance reports that the Third Infantry was the only infantry unit west of the Mississippi armed with repeating rifles. Since Fred Beecher was the Adjutant of the 3rd Infantry, it may be possible that at least some of the Scouts were armed from 3rd Inf. stores. In addition, Forsyth stated that the command had several Springfield rifles (presumably .50-70's) that were used for longrange fire. Unfortunately, I've not been able to document the use of Spencer rifle-muskets. But it is an intriguing possibility.