Thanks Sparks. Seemed to me he put himself as hero in several historical events. He called Kit Carson "Uncle Kit". I later read where some evidence turned up that Carson really did know him. The book ain't boring! But I admit being dubious . . .

Sorry your dog Got yours. It's free on Kindle. Hate for a dog to eat my Kindle.

Fiddlesticks

Sorry but William Drannan was a fraud. The only real evidence of Drannan being close to anything to do with the militery was that he was a teamster on one expedition.
Do a google search on Drannan there are several pages debunking his entire story.
http://www.rehupa.com/?p=20
http://www.countryworldnews.co...it-like-it-wasnt.htm
Two of the better ones that tell his sad story.

One more link
on Drannan then I will stop
http://rationalrant.blogspot.c...nlikely-life-of.html
This one talks about Kit Carson and Drannans stint as a teamster.

Recently began reading "Sharpe's Triumph", by Bernard Cornwell.
The main character is Richard Sharpe: sergeant in the British army, in India, in 1803.

Thanks Woodman. Not at all surprised. Still fun to read it.

Fiddlesticks

I just started "The New Rifleman", by the Campfire's very own Rifleman 1776.

I've only had time to read the first chapter so far, but MAN that story moves quick. They's done already been a couple'a shootin's, a harrowin' escape, nudity, and a bit of trekkin'. That's chapter ONE.

I hear tell he gets all romantical later on.

Spot

Re-reading THE OREGON TRAIL, by Francis Parkman. It has been a looong while since I last read this book. Parkman's writing is good...but he seems to be a bit of a snob at times...am enjoying the book though.
Andy

I am reading ROUGHING IT by Mark Twain. It is his journal from when he was fifteen forward for a number of years. He already displays his penchant for stretching the facts a bit. It is humorous and there are many things in there that I have never heard of before, told from a first person acount. I highly recommend it. The narrative starts in the middle of the Civil War. It is amazing what all was happening in the far west while the east was in the flames of war. Oh, yes, the narrative starts when he leaves for Nevada territory with his older brother on official government business.
León

Just finished reading; "John P. Gatewood, Confederate Bushwhacker", by Larry D. Stephens.
Gatewood commanded a band of confederate guerillas in the area of NW Georgia, NE Alabama, and into Tennessee.
I found his story interesting, especially since it happened right here where I live.

Its been out for a while "Gone For Soldiers" by Jeff Shea son of famed Michael Shea who wrote "Killer Angles" I had to get another copy as I've read and reread it to the point of its falling apart and I find something new that I missed the last time I read it. The reason is I use it as a source for my 1st person impression as a veteran Irishman in the Amerikan army making the long walk with Gen'l Scott serving in the 8th Infantry under Lt Longstreet.

Re-reading George Ruxton's Adventures in Mexico and the Rocky Mountains 1846-1847.
This is his journal on his travels thru out Mexico and the American Southwest.....he then wrote Life in the Far West...which is a must read if you like "mountain man " novels.
Andy

I started re-reading the Patrick O'Brian novels with Jack Aubrey and Steven Maturin. The novels were what the movie "Master and Commander" were based off of. Started reading them 25 years ago and continued reading them when I could pick them up on my travels as I sailed half way around the world visiting the historical ports mentioned in the books. Hence, it is enjoyable revisiting the novels as well as my memories of trade wind travels.

quote:

Originally posted by bangfxr:
Its been out for a while "Gone For Soldiers" by Jeff Shea son of famed Michael Shea who wrote "Killer Angles" I had to get another copy as I've read and reread it to the point of its falling apart and I find something new that I missed the last time I read it. The reason is I use it as a source for my 1st person impression as a veteran Irishman in the Amerikan army making the long walk with Gen'l Scott serving in the 8th Infantry under Lt Longstreet.

I just finished reading it. Powerful read and loaded with history, not all pretty. I read it from a free Kindle source.

Captain Two Pipes: Funny, I was just about to post on the same books. I picked up the first one last November and am on the 15th one now! Excellent series, especially the first 8 or 10. Amazing running narrative, great characters. Although fictional characters, a lot of the battles etc are based on actual accounts. Not necessarily our subject matter here, but definitely the time period, and just great stories and characters.

Pretty amazing you got to visit some of those old ports, and sailing no less? They do make me want to get aboard a tall ship. The ship "Suprise" they used in the movie is in the harbor in San Diego, I visited it a few years ago but it was before I had read the books or seen the movie. The movie is OK, but as usual only a shadow of the books.

Jared