Bugles, Boots, and Saddles

“Bugles, Boots, and Saddles is an interesting look into the evolution and tactics of the U.S. Cavalry, from the ragtag colonial forces of 1776 to the smartly equipped Rough Riders under Roosevelt at San Juan. Editor Stephen Brennan has compiled a smart collection of narratives from heroic cavalrymen who advanced the strategies of military offense in the Mexican War, Civil War, and Custer’s last stand at Bighorn.”
—Stephen L. Moore, author of Texas Rising
“This book is a refreshing, enlightening, and entertaining study of the cavalry through the eyes of those who witnessed it firsthand. The reader can ride along into some of the most famous conflicts in history and virtually feel the thundering hooves, the sounds and smells of battle, and hear the cries of victory and defeat.”
—Thom Hatch, author of The Last Days of George Armstrong Custer
“This volume is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the U.S. Cavalry. In addition to discussing basic elements such as weapons and tactics, the author provides extensive coverage of the role of American cavalry in conflicts from the American Revolution to the Spanish-American War. Key leaders and crucial campaigns and battles that are often overlooked by historians receive the attention they have long deserved.”
—Jim Piecuch, author of Cavalry of the American Revolution
“Drawing upon the writings of such cavalry notables as Generals Henry ‘Light-Horse Harry’ Lee and George Crook, writer Stephen Brennan takes us on a romp across America's battlefields, enlightening us along the way of the tremendous importance of the horse soldier in American military history.”
—James A. Crutchfield, author of The Way West: True Stories of the American Frontier
“Historians, both professional and dedicated amateurs, know that original sources generally provide the best and most authentic information. For those interested in the history of the US Cavalry, Stephen Brennan’s Bugles, Boots and Saddles is an interesting and useful compendium of memoirs and contemporaneous reports on the operations of the US Cavalry from the Revolutionary War through the Spanish American War. As such, it is a valuable addition to the libraries of cavalry enthusiasts.”
—Terry Mort, author of The Wrath of Cochise
“Bugles, Boots and Saddles is a vivid and colorful history of the U.S. Cavalry from the Revolution to the Spanish-American War. Using original source material, Stephen Brennan presents detailed and personal accounts of those who became famous leading their troopers into battles, including Light Horse Harry Lee, Zachary Taylor, Phil Sheridan, Winfield Scott, and of course, Custer, among many others. The book is a good history and a good read.”
—Duane Schultz, author of Coming through Fire: George Armstrong Custer and Chief Black Kettle
“In Bugles, Boots, and Saddles, editor Stephen Brennan has assembled a fine series of vignettes highlighting the role of America’s mounted arm from the War of Independence to the US struggle with Spain in 1898. The writing is at once dramatic and informative. The reader rides along with Light-horse Harry Lee, with Phil Sheridan and Teddy Roosevelt; but also with less well-known figures like Captain Charles A. May at Resaca in 1846, and George Forsyth in 1868.”
—David A. Powell, award-winning author of Failure in the Saddle and The Chickamauga Campaign, Vols. I-III
“Bugles, Boots and Saddles is an exciting read and well-tailored for fans of history. Of special note are the sections detailing the heroic use of U.S. cavalry in the Mexican War. This almost forgotten segment of American history desperately needs more attention and positive works of this nature. It was great to see it come alive on the page.”
—Daniel Murphy, author of William Washington, American Light Dragoon
“Stephen Brennan has crafted a fine selection of key topics and vibrant episodes that demonstrate the value of cavalry for American forces from the Revolutionary War to the end of the nineteenth century. This volume belongs on the bookshelf for any attentive reader of military history.”
—Clyde A. Milner II, co-editor of The Oxford History of the American West

“Bugles, Boots, and Saddles is an interesting look into the evolution and tactics of the U.S. Cavalry, from the ragtag colonial forces of 1776 to the smartly equipped Rough Riders under Roosevelt at San Juan. Editor Stephen Brennan has compiled a smart collection of narratives from heroic cavalrymen who advanced the strategies of military offense in the Mexican War, Civil War, and Custer’s last stand at Bighorn.”
—Stephen L. Moore, author of Texas Rising
“This book is a refreshing, enlightening, and entertaining study of the cavalry through the eyes of those who witnessed it firsthand. The reader can ride along into some of the most famous conflicts in history and virtually feel the thundering hooves, the sounds and smells of battle, and hear the cries of victory and defeat.”
—Thom Hatch, author of The Last Days of George Armstrong Custer
“This volume is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the U.S. Cavalry. In addition to discussing basic elements such as weapons and tactics, the author provides extensive coverage of the role of American cavalry in conflicts from the American Revolution to the Spanish-American War. Key leaders and crucial campaigns and battles that are often overlooked by historians receive the attention they have long deserved.”
—Jim Piecuch, author of Cavalry of the American Revolution
“Drawing upon the writings of such cavalry notables as Generals Henry ‘Light-Horse Harry’ Lee and George Crook, writer Stephen Brennan takes us on a romp across America's battlefields, enlightening us along the way of the tremendous importance of the horse soldier in American military history.”
—James A. Crutchfield, author of The Way West: True Stories of the American Frontier
“Historians, both professional and dedicated amateurs, know that original sources generally provide the best and most authentic information. For those interested in the history of the US Cavalry, Stephen Brennan’s Bugles, Boots and Saddles is an interesting and useful compendium of memoirs and contemporaneous reports on the operations of the US Cavalry from the Revolutionary War through the Spanish American War. As such, it is a valuable addition to the libraries of cavalry enthusiasts.”
—Terry Mort, author of The Wrath of Cochise
“Bugles, Boots and Saddles is a vivid and colorful history of the U.S. Cavalry from the Revolution to the Spanish-American War. Using original source material, Stephen Brennan presents detailed and personal accounts of those who became famous leading their troopers into battles, including Light Horse Harry Lee, Zachary Taylor, Phil Sheridan, Winfield Scott, and of course, Custer, among many others. The book is a good history and a good read.”
—Duane Schultz, author of Coming through Fire: George Armstrong Custer and Chief Black Kettle
“In Bugles, Boots, and Saddles, editor Stephen Brennan has assembled a fine series of vignettes highlighting the role of America’s mounted arm from the War of Independence to the US struggle with Spain in 1898. The writing is at once dramatic and informative. The reader rides along with Light-horse Harry Lee, with Phil Sheridan and Teddy Roosevelt; but also with less well-known figures like Captain Charles A. May at Resaca in 1846, and George Forsyth in 1868.”
—David A. Powell, award-winning author of Failure in the Saddle and The Chickamauga Campaign, Vols. I-III
“Bugles, Boots and Saddles is an exciting read and well-tailored for fans of history. Of special note are the sections detailing the heroic use of U.S. cavalry in the Mexican War. This almost forgotten segment of American history desperately needs more attention and positive works of this nature. It was great to see it come alive on the page.”
—Daniel Murphy, author of William Washington, American Light Dragoon
“Stephen Brennan has crafted a fine selection of key topics and vibrant episodes that demonstrate the value of cavalry for American forces from the Revolutionary War to the end of the nineteenth century. This volume belongs on the bookshelf for any attentive reader of military history.”
—Clyde A. Milner II, co-editor of The Oxford History of the American West