Randolph B. Marcy (1812–1887)

"Border Reminiscences" by Randolph Marcy is an invaluable literary gem that takes readers on a captivating journey through the challenging and dynamic landscapes of the American Southwest during the mid-19th century. Marcy's memoir presents a rich tapestry of his experiences as an explorer, military officer, and observer of the complex interactions between Native American tribes, settlers, and the U.S. government.

This book offers a unique perspective on the exploration and expansion of the American frontier. Marcy's prose is both eloquent and detailed, offering readers a vivid and immersive portrayal of the regions he traversed. His descriptions of the landscapes, from the rugged terrain to the vast deserts, allow readers to visualize the untamed beauty and challenges of the land that he encountered.

One of the most compelling aspects of "Border Reminiscences" is Marcy's interaction with the indigenous populations. He provides a nuanced view of the Native American tribes he encountered, shedding light on their cultures, customs, and struggles. Marcy's accounts show a respectful approach to these cultures, highlighting his efforts to understand and communicate with them, even amidst the tensions between Native Americans and settlers.

Marcy's experiences as a military officer also add depth to the narrative. His observations of military strategy, supply logistics, and the challenges of maintaining order in remote regions contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the era's military operations. Additionally, his perspective on the relationships between military personnel and civilian communities provides insight into the complexities of maintaining order and cooperation during a time of significant change.

While "Border Reminiscences" is a treasure trove of historical information and personal anecdotes, readers should approach it with an awareness of the historical context in which it was written. Marcy's views and language sometimes reflect the biases of his time, particularly in his discussions of Native American peoples. Therefore, contemporary readers should engage with the text critically, taking into account the evolving perspectives on cultural sensitivity and historical accuracy.… (más)

I read this while serving as a docent at the historical Wyoming Mormon Trail Site. Although much of the information is not useful today, some of the guidance for hunting and camping is still relevant.

I personally enjoy the verbose elocution of the 19th century, and Marcy is an entertaining writer. He quotes several times from contemporary research, as well as being a shrewd observer from personal experience.

This is an unabridged edition, other than the omission of the itineraries, of the 1859 publication "The Prairie Traveler: A Hand-book for Overland Expeditions with Maps, Illustrations, and Iineraries of the Principal Routes between the Mississippi and the Pacific."

The itineraries are no longer of any practical use.

NOTE: The U.S. War Department asked Randolph March to write this new guidebook, and it quickly replaced "The Emigrants' Guide to Orego and Califorina" which had been disastrously relied on by the Donner Party.… (más)

Although rumored to be commissioned by the War Department in response to the Donner Party disaster, The Prairie Traveler has no explicit mention of the Donners. It’s certainly full of advice that would have been useful; how to pack your wagons; the relative merits of mules vs oxen (mules for short trips – under 1000 miles – oxen for the long haul); how to cross deserts; what kind of weapons to bring (writing in 1859, author Randolph Marcy is a big fan of Colt’s revolving rifles, although he allows old time mountaineers will have nothing but a “Hawkins” (sic) rifle); how to hunt buffalo; how to deal with snakebite (drink a bottle of whiskey and burn gunpowder on the wound is one suggestion, although Marcy allows he’s never tried that himself); how to ford rivers, and what to do about Indians (Marcy’s general advice is shoot first and ask questions later, although he allows the Shawnee are generally trustworthy). He has a rather disrespectful remark about visiting Salt Lake City:


”It is true that if persons choose to pass through Salt Lake City, and the Mormons happen to be in an amiable mood, supplies may sometimes be procured from them, but those who have visited them well know how little reliance is to be place on their hospitality or spirit of accommodation.


I find this calumnious, since my own experience in traveling across the prairie with Mormons (well, only one) shows they are hospitable and accommodating to the extreme. (To be entirely just, both Mormons and non-Mormons had some reason to be suspicious of each other in 1859).


The book closes with itineraries for the major western trails: Fort Smith to Santa Fe and Albuquerque; Leavenworth to Salt Lake City; Salt Lake City to Los Angeles and San Francisco (perhaps influenced by the Donners, instead of going west from Salt Lake City Marcy’s route heads southwest along the Virgin and Mojave rivers, roughly following the path of modern Interstate 15 to reach Los Angeles, then following the cost to San Francisco); Indianola to San Antonio; El Paso to Fort Yuma; Westport to the Colorado gold diggings; and St. Paul to Walla Walla. The itineraries give each day’s mileage; suggest campsites and water holes; and list prominent landmarks.


A quick read. Perhaps of some use to educate those who long for the more “natural” life style of our ancestors. Readers susceptible to outrage should be cautioned in advance that Marcy displays the political sentiments of his time. Surprisingly, only one map (of the Colorado gold diggings); perhaps Marcy assumed that travelers wouldn’t find large scale maps much use or maybe he had made enemies in the Army cartographic department.… (más)