Across America; Or, The Great West and the Pacific Coast

by James Fowler Rusling

"Across America; Or, The Great West and the Pacific Coast" by James Fowler Rusling is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The work details the author's extensive journey across America, specifically focusing on the exploration and inspection of military posts from Fort Leavenworth to the Pacific Coast, including his observations of the people, landscapes, and changing cultures he encounters along the way. At the start of the narrative, Rusling sets the stage for his journey with a description of his orders to inspect various military posts in the West following the Civil War. He describes the logistical aspects of his travels, including the modes of transportation, the people he travels with, and his initial impressions of the landscapes he traverses. The opening chapters cover his departure from New York, passage through multiple states, and his encounter with both settlers and Indigenous peoples, illustrating the rich and often challenging realities of the American frontier during that era. The author employs a vivid and engaging style, inviting readers into the world of 1866 America as he navigates varied terrains and unfamiliar cultures.