Circle of Fire: The Indian War of 1865 is one of those rare works that both fill a historical void and are destined to become classics in their fields. In author John D. McDermott, the full story of the vicious Plains warfare that occurred in the waning days and immediate aftermath of the Civil War has finally found its chronicler. Exhaustively researched and gracefully written, Circle of Fire is must reading for students of the American West and the frontier army. - Peter Cozzens, Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State, and editor of the series Eyewitness to the Indian Wars, among other works. -- Peter Cozzens
Long overlooked by historians, the Indian War of 1865 set an ominous tone in relations between the federal government and the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Northern Arapaho Indians. Author John D. McDermott weaves flawless scholarship, skillful interpretation, and well-crafted prose to relate this story in its proper entirety and context, giving it enhanced meaning in western history and contributing a broader perspective to surrounding events. Circle of Fire will become the standard treatment of the subject. It is Indian Wars history at its best. - Jerome A. Greene, Historian, National Park Service, and author of Morning Star Down: The Powder River Expedition and the Northern Cheyennes, 1876 -- Jerome A. Greene