The Scout And Ranger: Being The Personal Adventures Of Corporal Pike Of The Fourth Ohio Cavalry, As A Texan Ranger, In The Indian Wars, Delineating Western Adventure; Afterward A Scout And Spy...Fully Illustrating The Secret Service.

JAMES PIKE

Publication: J R Hawley & Co, 1865, Cincinnati & New York

First Edition, Second Issue, with the frontis portrait in rectangle and the words "Jim Ned" at end of the third line on page 151. This copy does not have the errata leaf, as it is seldom present. 8vo. Original Black Cloth, embossed borders and monograms in blind on front and rear, gilt pictorial spine with publisher's name at bottom of spine, xi, [blank]. 19 - 394 pp., Frontispiece [portrait of Corporal Pike], Preface, Illustrated with "Twenty-Five Full-Page Engravings". Basic Texas Books 162 says, "This is an interesting reminiscence of a Yankee who became a Texas Ranger and later a Union spy.... in early 1859, he joined John Henry Brown's Texas Ranger Company at Belton. During the next two years he saw almost continual action in the vicious Indian campaigns of that period, including ranger service under J. M. Smith. His recollection of these events are among the most vivid on record and, except for an occasional exaggeration, verifiably accurate." Tate Indians of Texas 2409 says, "A good firsthand account, filled with details about ranger operations against Comanches. Other Texas tribes are also covered....." J. Frank Dobie says, "Pike tells a bully story to be ranked along with the personal narratives of those other two vivid ranger chroniclers, James B. Gillett and N. A. Jennings." "The work is also a thrilling account of border warfare against the Comanches, the Kickapoos, etc."-Vandale Two Hundred 133. Travels in the Confederate South 372 says, "This is a remarkable narrative, surprisingly true in its main discussion but undoubtedly embellished in details. It is peppered with characteristic travel incidents, local customs, and descriptions of the country traversed." Pike also received high praise from Generals Grant, Crook, Sherman, Thomas, and Sheridan for his work as a spy during the Civil War. After the war he returned to Ohio to write this book. Afterwards, he rejoined the army and went west to San Francisco assigned to Indian service. He died in 1867, due to an accident when his rifle jammed during an Indian attack, he angrily broke the barrel of his rifle over a rock which exploded the cartridge and he received a wound from which he never recovered."-Basic Texas Books 162. Moderate wear to edges and corners. Cracking to cloth on outer hinge of rear panel, yet remains tight. Small, half-inch by quarter-inch, gouge in cloth on lower rear edge of spine, and chipping to spine ends. Very good copy of a book rarely found in original cloth binding.

Inventory Number: 53132