Frontier Army

Recently a True West reader asked what a frontier army soldier could take home with him when his enlistment was up. Author and military historian John Langellier says, “As far as I know, he would have to get home on his own, by stagecoach or purchase a horse of his own. The accoutrements, horses and equipment were government property. All they could retain were Army issue clothing, including uniforms and shoes. He also wouldn’t be able to keep his firearms as they were also government property.”