Beyond the Rio Gila (Five Star Western Series)

The Mormon Battalion-including two pregnant laundresses-must march two thousand miles. Among the army's First Dragoons, Moses Cole, a Virginia farm boy running from his abusive father, grows to manhood under the mentorship of a tormented alcoholic and former professor. Among the Mormons, Orson Everett battles personal devils yet teaches his colorful followers to work for their brethren with God in their hearts. On such a journey, some will thrive, some will perish, all will be transformed. This deeply researched depiction of the U. S. military's longest march, told in evocative prose, brings a little known yet uniquely American story to life