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Review by
Donald Jones, Research Historian
This compilation study is monumental in both its effort and scope. It is
a veritable treasure trove for anyone researching the Texas frontier and
the Indian Territory in the period immediately before, during, and after
the Civil War; and its copious rosters, name indexes, primary source
materials, and maps are not to be found in any other single volume or
work.
As with any other research that involves such a massive amount of primary
material, (which in most cases had to be deciphered and transcribed by
hand, with no cross references available), there are some typos and
misspellings, but the author has an established and ongoing system of
additions and corrections in place, in order to accommodate updated
editions and mailings.
While its value to the researcher lies mainly in its source material and
the unparalleled compilation of the major and minor players in Texas
history during the period covered, (along with their local, county, and
state level military, quasi-military, and ranger affiliation); its value
to the average reader lies in the chosen overview material, detailing the
hardships of, and interrelationship between, Texan and Indian, and Texan
and "Yankee." This overview, along with its bibliography, will act as a
catalyst for the reader, and compel him or her to pursue the subject
matter in more narrative and subjective form.
This reviewer heartily recommends this work to historians everywhere, to
anyone with a love of history and the Civil War, and to anyone who has an
affinity with Texas.
Donald John Jones, Jr., Ewing NJ
Research Historian
DJNJPI@aol.com |
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