Rafael Chacon (1833-1925), personally witnessed the end of the Mexican Period and was an active participant in commercial, military, and political events during the early decades of the American era from territorial status to statehood. Legacy Of Honor: The Life Of Rafael Chacon, A Nineteenth Century New Mexican is unique in its detail, anecdotal style, human interest and presents one of the few existent Hispanic points of view on the era and events surrounding the creation of New Mexico. Chacon wrote his memoirs in his seventies to record for his family the drama, adventure, and sorrow he had experienced, including his later service in the American Civil War. He fought at the Battle of Valverde, fought Indians under Kit Carson, escorted the first officials to the new established territory of Arizona, and was one of the few Hispanics to attain the rank of Major, commanding Fort Stanton at the end of the war. Chacon went on to serve several terms in the territorial legislature before homesteading near Trinidad, Colorado. Legacy Of Honor is a superbly informative, biographical contribution to academic American history collections, and fascinating reading for American history buffs.