Nathan Augustus Monroe Dudley, 1825-1910: Rogue, Hero, or Both?
by E. Donald Kaye, Outskirts Press, Parker, Colo., $23.95 hardback, $12.95 paperback.
Those who recognize the name Lt. Col. N.A.M. “North American” Dudley will probably know him only because of his brief involvement in New Mexico Territory’s Lincoln County War. Contravening an Act of Congress, he led a detachment of troops into the town of Lincoln and significantly affected the outcome of the battle that was raging across its streets. Would innocent bystander Harvey Morris, “jackleg lawyer” Alexander McSween, young Robert Beckwith and others have died had he not interceded? Or had he not interceded, would even more have died?
Author Donald Kaye says—and he is right—that although Dudley will always be remembered for “his undeniably nefarious actions,” his career deserves more attention than it has received. He was a complicated man. During the so-called Mormon War, one of his fellow officers referred to him as an “ass.” Five years later, Dudley was winning a brevet promotion for gallant and meritorious service in Louisiana. Eight years further down the line he was court-martialed for conduct prejudicial to good order, for being drunk on duty (there seems to be no doubt at all that alcohol played a major part in his numerous falls from grace) and being disrespectful to a superior officer. Yet he served as a soldier of one kind or another for 70 years, and retired as a brigadier general.
Rogue, hero, or both? The title encapsulates the man’s dichotomous nature. This was a man who could blithely ignore the pleas of a woman who had crawled on her hands and knees avoiding flying bullets to beg him to protect her husband. Yet he was also a good, tough soldier.
Originally published in the October 2007 issue of Wild West. To subscribe, click here.
