writes:
This book shows the dress and uniforms worn by the opposing forces in what could be called "The Wild West of Argentina." This was a long, drawn-out conflict against the Indian tribes, which fearlessly for centuries resisted, first the Spanish and later Argentinian domination.
This work brings to the English-speaking world for the first time, the colorful dresses worn by the many Indian tribes in this bloody war. The Indians wore a variety of costumes, such as animal hides and feathers right up to chainmail and armor. It also shows the uniforms worn by the many armies and militias sent against these defiant tribes. The soldiers wore a variety of colorful uniforms along with indigenous dress. Also shown are loyal Indian Corps, Italian Bersaglieri, and naval dress.
The Indian Wars of North America have been covered extensively in hundreds of books, but the Indian Wars in South America have been sadly neglected. Ron's work rectifies this omission with his book, which contains 24 color plates of his original artwork, showing the colorful figures which took part in both sides of the conflict, never seen before outside South America. Complementing this, there are approximately 160 color and black-and-white pictures of contemporary drawings and paintings; also included are the works of early photographers who accompanied the army on the later campaigns - these show the officers and men, Indians, uniforms, dress, arms, equipment, etc.
Ron has worked from the contemporary Spanish sources, books, journals, diaries, official documents, and dress regulations of the participants of the war. This book will be of great interest to the growing readers of South American military history and uniforms references.
Sabres Across the Pampas
The Argentian Indian Wars
Ron Poulter
ISBN: 978-1-85818-637-5
176 pages
(numerous black-and-white photos throughout, plus 24 detailed color plates by the author)
265mm x 200mm
Hardback
£45.00 GBP