Henry Dodge enlisted as a captain in the Missouri State Volunteers in the War of 1812, soon earning the rank of Major General. After the war, Dodge moved to the U.S. Mineral District in Michigan Territory. There, as Colonel of the Michigan Territory militia, he became known for his efforts in protecting locals from attacks from Native Indians, particularly in the 1827 Winnebago War and the 1832 Black Hawk War. Due to his success in these wars, Dodge was appointed Major of a battalion of mounted rangers that became known as the United States Regiment of Dragoons. In his role, Dodge patrolled the Indian frontier from the Red River to the Rocky Mountains. His journal describing his expedition was presented to the House of Representatives in 1836, and includes the present map.

Cartographically, the map covers the region of present day Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. The various Indian Districts are delineated and colored in outline with the notation "Lands Ceded by Sioux, Sacs, Foxes, Otoes, Ioways, &c. in 1825." The route of the Dragoons is shown starting at Ft. Leavenworth and following the Santa Fe Road and then the Arkansas River (also marked as the United States Boundary) to just before Pike's Peak, then moving north through the Snake & Crow's War Ground to the return trip along the Platte River. Bent's Fort appears for the first time on this map along with an early appearance of Pike's Peak.

This is the original issue, not to be confused with the smaller issue from the American State Papers.

References: Wheat (TMW) #421; Claussen & Friis #128; Wagner-Camp #63.

Condition: B

Issued folding on a bright sheet with a few light spots of foxing at left. There are two 1" tears adjacent to the word "Western" that have been closed on verso with archival tape, and a 2" tear near the center of the map that has been closed on verso with old tape, resulting in a light stain on recto.