The pursuit of the Plains Indian tribes John G. Bourke’s excellent book, ‘On the Border with Crook’ (also published by Leonaur), describing his time on General George Crook’s staff during the American Indian Wars of the post Civil War period, is rightly regarded as an abiding classic of the history of the United States Army on the western frontier. Those who have read it and those who wish to discover more about this turbulent period of pioneer days and national expansion in North America will glean much from this book by Charles King. A captain in the 5th Cavalry, King has brilliantly described the Sioux Campaign of 1876 as only one who personally experienced it can. He begins his narrative in June of that year days before the disastrous Battle of the Little Big Horn which cost both Custer and a substantial portion of his 7th Cavalry command their lives. For those who are interested in the period King provides an invaluable source work which benefits from being recounted in an easygoing and entertaining style. Within these pages appear the Fight on the War Bonnet, the march to the Big Horn, activities on the Tongue and Rosebud, the Slim Buttes Fight and many other interesting incidents of the campaign. Previous editions of this book have included ‘Stories of Army Life’-three of King’s own whimsical and irrelevant fictional pieces-these have been removed from this Leonaur edition.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.