The young slave Bass Reeves is captured by a Yankee spy during
the 1862 Civil War campaign in Arkansas culminating in at the Battle of Pea
Ridge. Set free by his captor, Bass wanders into the encampment of the 2nd
Cherokee Mounted Rifles of the Southern Army. Colonel Stand Watie, directs the
lost slave to stand and fight with them, which he does, all the way to the
Confederate retreat from Elkhorn Tavern. Battling shoulder-to-shoulder with the
brave Cherokee warriors during the fierce combat, Bass’s life is forever
changed in a way he never before dreamed.
West of The Dead Line (Historical Western)
Episode #2 Freed Men
By Phil Truman
ISBN #978-1620161050
Price $0.99
24 Pages
Young slave Bass Reeves becomes Colonel Reeves boy during the
war between the states. He had been Reeves’ father’s slave before that. While
hauling water from the creek for the colonel he’s captured by a Yankee spy and
carried off a ways, then released. Making his way back to the camp he runs into
the Second Cherokee Mounted Rifles from the Indian Territory setting up an
ambush for the Yankee cavalry. Fighting with them, he captures a gun and honors
himself during the battle. When Colonel Reeves finds him again, there is
eventually a confrontation because of the gun and Bass’s new attitude, and
before the colonel can have Bass whipped for insubordination, he escapes.
This was a well written short story about a real life historical
slave, with well researched material for the content of the story. Highly
recommended for the western fan, especially historical westerns.
Tom Johnson
ECHOES Magazine
No comments:
Post a Comment