JAC

Writer

James A. Crutchfield

James A. Crutchfield is the author of fifty books, including volumes on various aspects of American history, biography, and general interest subjects. He conceived and was lead editor of the two-volume encyclopedia The Settlement of America: Encyclopedia of Westward Expansion from Jamestown to the Closing of the Frontier. He is the 2011 recipient of the Western Writers of America (WWA) Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Achievement in Western Literature and is in the Western Writers Hall of Fame. Over the years he has also received a Spur Award, three Stirrup Awards, and the Branding Iron Award from WWA, as well as two commendation awards from the American Association for State and Local History. He is a Tennessee native where he lives in Franklin

Latest from James A. Crutchfield

A drawing of Col. William Steptoe's battle with Indians at Ingossomen Creek on May 17, 1858, which became known as the Battle of Tohoto-nim-me.

The American West: The Battles Of Tohotonimme, Four Lakes And Spokane Plains

The U.S. Army's Indian battles in Washington Territory in 1858 set the stage for more settlers. First was a demoralizing loss for Lt. Col. Williams Steptoe in the Battle of Tohotonimme. The Army retaliated at the Battles of Four Lakes and Spokane Plains.

James A. CrutchfieldAugust 31, 2024

The American West: The Saga of Sarah Ann Horn

For nearly five centuries, these thrilling, yet oftentimes horrific, narratives of confrontations between primarily settlers -- many of them women and children -- and the native tribes of North America have provided exciting literary fodder for generations of readers.

James A. CrutchfieldAugust 26, 2024

The American West: The Legend of Baby Doe

In March 1935, an emaciated corpse was found frozen to the rough-planked floor of a tool shack at the Matchless Mine in Leadville, Colorado. The winter’s intense cold had preserved her body so that even her facial features could still be discerned.

James A. CrutchfieldAugust 18, 2024

The American West: The Army of the West

The life of the Army of the West was brief. From its establishment in June, 1846, until its demise after the American victory at Los Angeles in January, 1847, its members had traveled hundreds of miles against grueling, sometimes almost impossible, odds.

James A. CrutchfieldAugust 11, 2024

The American West: The Death of Buffalo Bill

When the doctor announced that Buffalo Bill Cody had no more than thirty-six hours to live, the old performer called his brother-in-law to his bedside to play cards.

James A. CrutchfieldAugust 03, 2024

The American West: Bicycles and Buffalo Soldiers

To folks not familiar with the village of Missoula, Montana, or of the United States army post aptly named Fort Missoula located about four miles southwest of town, the sight which presented itself during the early morning of June 14, 1897, might have seemed strange indeed.

James A. CrutchfieldJuly 27, 2024

Smokey Bear is flown from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to his new home at the Washington National Zoo in a Piper J-3 Cub by New Mexico Assistant State Game Warden Homer C. Pickens in 1950. The little bear was rescued from a forest fire and named Smokey after the fire prevention symbol of the U.S. Forest Service.

The American West: Smokey Bear, America’s Most Iconic Forest Ranger

How a scared little 5-pound bear cub who survived a devastating wildfire in 1950 became a national icon. Smokey Bear remains America’s most iconic and recognizable forest ranger.

James A. CrutchfieldJuly 21, 2024

The American West: The Battle of Granby -- 2004

Marvin Heemeyer climbed into his improvised tank-bulldozer, cranked up the engine, and proceeded to drive through the wall of his rented building onto the parking lot of business neighbor Cody Docheff’s newly constructed concrete plant.

James A. CrutchfieldJuly 14, 2024

The Golden Spike ceremony on completion of the first transcontinental railroad, as trains of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific rail met at Promontory, Utah, on May 10 1869. The image is one half of a stereoscopic image.

The American West: Transcontinental Railroad Challenge No. 1 — Where To Put It

Before the first transcontinental railroad could open the untamed West to the rest of the nation, a crucial decision had to be made — where to put it.

James A. CrutchfieldJuly 06, 2024

An illustration depicting Fetterman's Massacre that was printed in Harper's Weekly on March 23, 1867. The battle was Dec. 21, 1866.

The American West: Fetterman’s Massacre Was High Drama On The High Plains

The bloody and ill-advised skirmish with Indian warriors at Fort Phil Kearny in 1866 that became known as Fetterman's Massacre didn’t have to happen. Capt. William J. Fetterman disregarded orders and got his troops wiped out.

James A. CrutchfieldJune 23, 2024

For nearly 200 years, the rendezvous has been a truly American invention that not only promoted westward expansion and exploration, it was — and still is — one hell of a party.

American West: The Rendezvous Was — And Still Is — One Hell Of A Party

In 1825, Gen. William Ashley introduced a system known as the rendezvous, a methodology that revolutionized, but also simplified, the entire concept of trading with the American Indians. A total of 15 annual rendezvous were held between 1825 and 1840 and 11 of them were in Wyoming.

James A. CrutchfieldJune 15, 2024