The Oatman massacre is among the most famous and dramatic captivity stories in the history of the Southwest. In this riveting account; Brian McGinty explores the background; development; and aftermath of the tragedy.Roys Oatman; a dissident Mormon; led his family of nine and a few other families from their homes in Illinois on a journey west; believing a prophecy that they would find the fertile “Land of Bashan†at the confluence of the Gila and Colorado Rivers. On February 18; 1851; a band of southwestern Indians attacked the family on a cliff overlooking the Gila River in present-day Arizona. All but three members of the family were killed. The attackers took thirteen-year-old Olive and eight-year-old Mary Ann captive and left their wounded fourteen-year-old brother Lorenzo for dead.Although Mary Ann did not survive; Olive lived to be rescued and reunited with her brother at Fort Yuma.On Olive’s return to white society in 1857; Royal B. Stratton published a book that sensationalized the story; and Olive herself went on lecture tours; telling of her experiences and thrilling audiences with her Mohave chin tattoos.Ridding the legendary tale of its anti-Indian bias and questioning the historic notion that the Oatmans’ attackers were Apaches; McGinty explores the extent to which Mary Ann and Olive may have adapted to life among the Mohaves and charts Olive’s eight years of touring and talking about her ordeal.
#2715056 in Books Univ of Oklahoma Pr 1992-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.75 x 5.75 x 1.00l; #File Name: 0806124628384 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Excellent studyBy George D. MitchellRetired Oklahoma State University professor of history provides background of the Civil War as well as careful use of sources to make an altogether readable investigation related specifically to the Texas cavalry unit in which his ancestor fought. Hale shows how the War was whipped up by agitators; dealing especially with Texas activity; and follows the successes and failures of the leadership both before and during the war. Since the Third Texas Cavalry was part of what became known as Ross's Brigade; the happenings to the Third apply generally to its accompanying units; the Sixth Texas Cavalry; the Ninth Texas Cavalry; and the Twenty-Seventh Texas Cavalry.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent researchBy Weldon W. NashVery well researched story of a famous Texas cavalry unit. The story is enhanced by many quotes from the soldiers' letters and diaries. Hale's style of writing is easy to read and comprehend. It is anything but a "dry" unit history.
