Recounts the history of white and Native American conflict during the last half of the nineteenth century, examining the perspectives of both sides.

Includes index. Includes maps of: Major Tribes in 1850; Blackfoot Country, 1780-1858; Permanent Indian Frontier; Southwest, 1848-1861; Plains Wars, 1848-1861; Southwest and Southern Plains, 1862-1890; Sioux Wars, 1862-1868; Northern Plains, 1868-1890; Mountain Wars, 1850-1880; Western Indian Reservations; Teton Sioux Reservations, 1890; Indian Territory, 1866-1890.

The Indian West at midcentury -- Foundations of a new Indian policy, 1846-1860 -- When the white people fought each other, 1861-1865 -- War and peace : Indian relations in transition, 1865-1869 -- Grant's peace policy, 1869-1876 -- Wars of the peace policy, 1869-1886 -- The vision of reformers, 1865-1890 -- The reservation, 1880-1890 -- The passing of the frontier, 1890.