80. CRANE, Charles Judson. The Experiences of a
Colonel of Infantry. New York: Knickerbocker Press,
1923. 578 pp. 12mo, original dark blue cloth with title in
gilt on front cover and spine. Very fine copy preserved in
a custom blue slipcase. Presentation copy, signed by the
author.
First
and only edition. Dykes, Collecting Range Life
Literature, p. 9: "Crane’s [book was] issued in
New York in an edition of 100 copies in 1923—Colonel
Crane was a Texas cowboy and trail driver before making the
army his career. He was recalled to active duty in WWI and
headed the ROTC staff at Texas A&M in 1917-18." Howes
C858. Pingenot: A superb military autobiography that
rivals R. G. Carter’s On the Border with
Mackenzie in rarity. Adams, Herd 602 calls it
"scarce," which is a gross understatement. Crane
herded cattle in Kansas, assisted in teaching small boys at
Baylor, was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West
Point in 1872. Five years later, in December, 1877, he
reported for duty at Fort Clark, Texas. He later served at
Fort Duncan and Fort Ringgold, Texas, and was commandant of
Cadets at Texas A&M College. He made two trips with his
regiment to Greer County, then in Texas, but now part of
Oklahoma, and in 1888 served with the cavalry at the San
Carlos Indian Agency. Later, with the 24th Infantry, Crane
was sent to Utah. His memoirs include his involvement in
the Spanish-American War during which he raised a regiment
of colored "immunes" at New Orleans. Crane provides a fine
insight into Army life and is a vital contribution to
borderlands as well as Western military history. A
very rare and little-known work.
($750-1,200)