Holmes' essay is fantastic and would be a great read prior to or following any trip to Egypt. The similarities 100 years since is amazing. The changes are intriguing. I read a library version of this book but decided to buy it for myself for reference and for the great collection of photos. The introductory essays were helpful to understand the Holmes' role in American history.

Overall this was a pretty good book. Though it seemed a little disjointed at times, it was interesting reading about some Oklahoma history that usually isn't addressed.

The book discusses some of the most notorious black and Indian outlaws (and lawmen) of the Indian (and then Oklahoma) territory. I must admit that I had not heard of most of the names. I was surprised to read of how many black men had served as deputy United States Marshals in this region before statehood.

The author seems to have done extensive research on the subjet, and quotes regularly from newspaper articles and other writings from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

To Whom It May Concern:

Your book must be great, but since it happens to be about my DIRECT grandparents, could you please send a courtesy copy to me. I tried ordering thru you and never rec'd the book. I have had excerpts read to me by other members of family that found the book & I must say I'm shocked. I feel I deserve the right to have a courtesy copy. Any and all of the part of S. P. Brassfield, Abner Brassfield and Abner Jr. you sure hit home. Thank you for your time, I will be anxious to hear from you.

I consider a "must have" for your own personal library

Title: Book Review By Cecil Craig

Black, Buckskin, And Blue: African American Scouts & Soldiers on the Western Frontier

By Art T. Burton

Art T. Burton's first book (still available) was Red Black and Deadly: Black and Indian Gunfighters of the Indian Territory. That popular western law enforcement history book came out in 1991. The author's new book, Black Buckskin, and Blue, continues to concentrate on men of color who helped settle America's western frontier. The book's central theme addresses African-American scouts and soldiers on the frontier during the nineteenth century much like he did with outlaws and lawmen of color in his first book.

Although Oklahoma is not the exclusive setting for the book, a great deal of the historical incidents contained in it did occur in Oklahoma. For instance, Black, Buckskin, and Blue: African American Scouts and Soldiers on the Western Frontier is thought to be the first book to discuss the role of black soldiers stationed in Indian Territory and their involvement in the Creek Nation tribal rebellion known as the Green Peach War of 1882.

Divided into three sections, Burton's book begins with a number of profiles of little known African-American frontier scouts. Among these is Frank Grouard, a black man who the author credits as being the person most responsible for the death of Indian Chief Crazy Horse.

After profiling these men along with a number of fur trappers and guides, the second section of the book is devoted to the Civil War in the west. Black, Buckskin, and Blue is thought to be the first book to examine the role of black soldiers operating west of the Mississippi River during the Civil War. These colored troops, as they were referred to at the time, played an important role in federal victories within the Trans-Mississippi military theater during the War Between the States.

The book's third section deals with the Buffalo Soldiers of our nation's military. Often times being the only representatives of the federal government during the days of America's westward expansion following the Civil War, which was especially true in Indian Territory, many of their actions related to law enforcement. According to the author, "The term 'Buffalo Soldiers' has become a catch phrase; anyone that knows anything about western history should know something about (them)."

Surprisingly,some degree of Old West law enforcement had a direct relationship with the history of the United States black 9th and 10th Calvary regiments along with the African-American 24th and 25th Infantry. Art T. Burton has done a good job relating a number of law enforcement actions under taken by these military units. In it, he relates when and how the Buffalo Soldiers pursued outlaws as well as hostile Indians on the western frontier.

Henry B. Crawford, curator of history at the Museum of Texas Tech University described the book, Black, Buckskin, & Blue by saying; "In the tradition of great storytelling historians of the frontier genre, Art Burton applies his skills once again to destroy the artificial ethnic boundaries which still pollute today's popular image of the historic western frontier..."

For more on an overlooked chapter in western law enforcement and the contributions of African-Americans in settling America's frontier, Art Burton's new book is recommended reading.

Thank goodness this book is out of print. It is at best a biographical novel and at worst a children's book. Hopefully it will remain out of print for many many years. Anyone want to buy my copy?