On the Trail of Deserters; A Phenomenal Capture

"On the Trail of Deserters; A Phenomenal Capture" by Robert Goldthwaite Carter is a gripping historical account of a perilous chase across 1871 Texas where Captain Carter and Colonel Mackenzie of the Fourth Cavalry relentlessly pursue army deserters, revealing the harsh realities of military life and the trials of soldiering in the American West. The narrative plunges you into the rising desertion rates fueled by weary soldiers and their discontent with the government's handling of conflict against Native American tribes, painting a picture of Colonel Mackenzie's resolve to capture the fleeing men, and focuses in on the grueling pursuit led by Carter and another lieutenant and highlighting the severe winter conditions, tense encounters with civilians, and strategic military decisions. As Carter recounts the adventure and the challenges, the book offers a window into the complex struggles faced by those serving in the late 19th-century American Army.