The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 71, July 1967 - April, 1968 Page: 457

Book Reviews

the Expedition of Stephen Watts Kearny which expected to "strike a
blow" at the northern provinces of embattled Mexico.
Abert was not destined to see the "action" with Kearny, however, as
the young officer fell ill on the prairie and had to convalesce for weeks
at Bent's Fort; thus, he got left behind. When he finally reached Santa
F6, he found that Kearny had left him orders to map New Mexico,
a large order to say the least. The resulting map, prepared by him
and Lieutenant W. G. Peck, U. S. T. E., is reproduced as a handsome
folded dividend at the back of the book. Also reproduced is a large,
folded copy of the Second Edition of the Hutawa map of Mexico and
California which Abert had with him, obviously expecting to see even
more of the Southwest.
The text of this volume comes from Abert's field notebook of 1846-
1847, in which he kept a journal of his adventures on the Leavenworth-
Santa F6 trail and in New Mexico. The illustrations (watercolors)
were taken from Abert's sketchbook. Both notebook and sketchbook
are in the possession of the editor.
Those familiar with the approach to science followed by military
explorers of the United States from Lewis and Clark on will recog-
nize the "Jeffersonian" attitude toward recording precise details about
the "fauna" and "flora" encountered, along with anthropological
information about the Indians and Spanish elements along the way.
Such reporting could be done dully but Abert keeps the reader's in-
terest with a direct style and surprising philosophical asides. It must
be remembered, of course, that he had served in 1845 on Fremont's
third expedition as far as Bent's Fort. Fremont had then sent him
back down the Canadian River to map and record his observations.
This report was later published as a Congressional Document in 1846.
Abert's writing reflects his conscientious awareness of responsi-
bility to his government and fellow citizens. Most of us are grateful
for such people.
Stephen F. Austin State College JAMES L. NICHOLS
When the Eagle Screamed: The Romantic Horizon in American Diplo-
macy, i8oo-z86o. By William H. Goetzmann. New York (The
Wiley Press), 1966. Pp. xvii + 188. Maps, bibliography, index.
$1.95-
The series, America in Crisis, edited by Robert A. Divine of the
University of Texas, has proven to be a fine addition to the litera-

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