Numerous forts were built to protect trading posts and settlers and this title explores the design and development of these sites, the life of hte garrisons that manned them, and the clashes with Native American warriors.

Includes maps of: Major Forts and Supply Bases on the Southern Plains and in the Southwest, 1830-90.

Development of the forts --9 -- Trade forts -- Forts of the Texas Republic, 1836-45 -- Types of military forts -- Principal elements of defense -- 26 -- Blockhouses, bastions and towers -- Redoubts, star forts, and demi-lunes (ravelins) Walls, stockades, parapets and sally-ports -- Open forts -- Life in a frontier fort -- 35 -- Forts at war -- 43 -- Southwest, 1846-80 -- Southern Plains, 1864-75 -- Southwest, 1880-81 -- Fate of the forts -- 57 -- Forts today -- 59.