On the Border With Crook

Description

Author: Bourke, John G.  (1843-1896)

Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Pub Date: 1971 (facsimile reprint)

Binding: Paperback

Condition: (CS): Fair to Good.  Binding tight.  No tears, bends or folds.  Previous owner’s name in ink on title page.  Some edge and corner wear.  Spotting to lower text block.  Some wrinkling to rear cover, but not water damaged.

Notes: Classic Western history.  Bourke served in the Civil War and won the Medal of Honor for “Gallantry in action” at the Battle of Stones River.  He was nominated for West Point AFTER the Civil War, and after graduation was assigned to Fort Craig, New Mexico, where he served in 1869-1870.  Bourke served on Crook’s staff from 1872-1883,  during the Apache Wars.    Crook was an able general, serving in the Pacific Northwest, the Plains and Arizona Territory,  and dealt fairly with the Indians he faced.  After negotiating a treaty with Geronimo in Mexico, one of Crook’s soldiers convinced Geronimo that he and some of his tribe would be executed once they crossed the border back into Arizona.  Geronimo “escaped”, and that escape cost Crook his job, though his career was later redeemed.  Bourke served in the Army until his death.