Freed Men

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

AWOK Westerns www.awok.com

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