Hermann Stieffel, Soldier Artist of the West

"Hermann Stieffel, Soldier Artist of the West" by Edgar M. Howell is the story of Hermann Stieffel, a soldier in the U.S. Infantry after the Civil War, who used his artistic talent to document the American West. It uncovers Stieffel's time in Company K of the 5th U.S. Infantry, highlighting his role as a painter capturing frontier life from 1858 to 1882. While Stieffel lacked formal training, his watercolors offer a rare glimpse into military life, encounters with Native American tribes, and important historical moments like treaty councils and battles, all painted with great accuracy. The narrative emphasizes the historical backdrop of the Indian Wars and the complex cultural landscape of the American West, making it of interest to those keen on art, military history, and the cultural clashes of the time.