On the Trail of Deserters; A Phenomenal Capture by Robert Goldthwaite Carter

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On the Trail of Deserters; A Phenomenal Capture by Robert Goldthwaite Carter

(7 User reviews) 732

By Elizabeth Mancini Posted on Apr 1, 2026

In Category - Mystic Stories

Authors: Carter, Robert Goldthwaite, 1845-1936 Published By : Carter, Robert Goldthwaite, 1845-1936

Book Language: English

Hey, have you ever heard a story so wild it feels more like a movie than real life? That's this book. It's a forgotten piece of the Old West, told by the soldier who actually lived it. Picture this: 1870, the Texas frontier. A small patrol of cavalrymen is sent out on what seems like a simple job—bring back a couple of soldiers who ran off. But these aren't just any deserters. They're dangerous, armed, and have a huge head start into some of the roughest country imaginable. The chase that unfolds is a desperate, gritty game of cat and mouse across miles of empty desert. It’s less about grand battles and more about sheer human endurance, smart thinking, and the raw will to complete a mission against impossible odds. Carter doesn't just give you the facts; he puts you right there in the saddle, feeling the dust, the doubt, and the final, incredible moment of capture. If you think you know all the Wild West stories, this short, intense account will prove you wrong.

File: On the Trail of Deserters; A Phenomenal Capture by Robert Goldthwaite Carter

This isn't a sweeping history of the Indian Wars or a general's memoir. It's a tight, focused account of a single, extraordinary mission. In the fall of 1870, Lieutenant Robert Goldthwaite Carter was ordered to take a tiny detachment of men and track down two deserters who had fled Fort Stockton, Texas. The deserters were well-armed and had a significant lead, vanishing into the vast, unforgiving Chihuahuan Desert.

The Story

Carter's story is a masterclass in frontier persistence. With minimal supplies and against the advice of seasoned scouts who said it couldn't be done, he and his men pushed forward. The narrative follows their grueling ride—tracking faint signs, surviving on little water, and navigating by stars and gut instinct. The tension builds not from constant gunfights, but from the silent, exhausting pursuit. The climax isn't a massive shootout, but a brilliantly executed, silent nighttime capture where Carter's small group surrounds the deserters' camp. The real drama is in the logistics and the nerve it took to pull it off without anyone getting killed.

Why You Should Read It

I love this book because it strips away the Hollywood glamour. There's no glory here, just hard, dirty work. Carter writes with the vivid detail of someone who can't forget the taste of the dust or the ache in his bones. You feel the weight of his responsibility for his men and the quiet pride in their discipline. It’s a powerful look at the everyday courage that held the frontier together—the kind that happened far from any famous battlefields. It makes you appreciate the sheer difficulty of simple commands in a landscape that wanted you dead.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs who are tired of the same old stories, and for anyone who loves a true-life adventure tale. It's short, under 100 pages in most editions, so it's a fantastic afternoon read. If you enjoy first-person accounts that drop you right into the action, or if you've ever wondered what the 'grunt work' of the cavalry was really like, this is your book. Just be prepared to feel thirsty by the end of it.