Hey George, yessir it's been awhile. I quit reading the News and Views board quite a while ago. It seemed to be going downhill fast, and was more concerned with hysteria than history. I don't know how you managed to keep your cool through all that. I understand through the grapevine that Jim has since banned the worst of the mud-slingers and name-callers from the board.

George, I think you may have misinterpreted my post. The atrocities I referred to weren't those committed by Indians, but by whites, the most infamous being the Sand Creek massacre of November 29, 1864, committed by Col. J. M. Chivington and the 1st and 3rd Colorado Cavalry. The out-of-control volunteer regiments out west were part of the reason why previously friendly or neutral Indian nations took up arms against the United States.

It was into this mix that the "Galvanized Yankees" were introduced. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Regiments U.S. Volunteer Infantry were recruited from among Confederate prisoners of war held at Camp Douglas, Alton, Rock Island Barracks, etc. It was their ticket out of the hell of northern prisons. They were promised that they would not be put into a situation where they would be fighting their own people. Instead, they were sent to the frontier.

While I haven't read every single report in the Official Records that deals with these regiments, I've read quite a few, and so far I've not come across even a hint of bad conduct. On the contrary, the territorial governors, department commanders, etc., universally praised these former Confederate soldiers for their discipline and professionalism. When these troops were introduced to an area, problems with the Indians began to quiet down.

Come on over and visit the Arkansas board sometime, George. You're always welcome.