Details the U.S. Army's campaign in the years following the Civil War to contain the American Indian and promote Western expansion.

Return to the frontier -- The postwar army: command, staff, and line -- The problem of doctrine -- The army, Congress, and the people -- Weapons, uniforms, and equipment -- Army life on the border -- Fort Phil Kearny, 1866 -- Hancock's War, 1867 -- The Peace Commission of 1867 -- Operations on the southern plains, 1868-69 -- Beyond the plains, 1866-70 -- Grant's peace policy, 1869-74 -- The Red River War, 1874-75 -- Sitting Bull, 1870-76 -- The conquest of the Sioux, 1876-81 -- Nez Perce bid for freedom, 1877 -- Bannock, Paiute, Sheepeater, and Ute, 1878-79 -- Mexican border conflicts, 1870-81 -- Geronimo, 1881-86 -- Ghost dance, 1890-91.