Reviews
"Gallantly leading his men across Cabin Creek against the Confederate center at Honey Springs and in holding a battle line at Poison Spring in the face of blistering Confederate fire, Williams displayed the fearless determination that characterized his life. . . . Lull effectively portrays him as an officer of 'extraordinary accomplishments,' deserving of recognition for the roles he played in the Civil War, proving African American abilities, and securing the Southwest."-- Western Historical Quarterly, Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE "I am impressed by the depth of Lull's research. Williams's leadership and courage in organizing and commanding the 1st Kansas underscores that African Americans could fight and die as bravely as white Americans."--Edwin C. Bearss, Historian Emeritus, US National Park Service, and author, Fields of Honor: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War "Lull has done painstaking research in available primary sources to piece together Williams's life."--Nicole Etcheson, author, Bleeding Kansas and A Generation at War, "I am impressed by the depth of Lull's research. Williams's leadership and courage in organizing and commanding the 1st Kansas underscores that African Americans could fight and die as bravely as white Americans."--Edwin C. Bearss, Historian Emeritus, US National Park Service, and author, Fields of Honor: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War, "An excellent biography of this little known officer, which throws considerable light on an often neglected theatre of the Civil War and the origins of the U.S. Colored Troops."-- NYMAS Review, I am impressed by the depth of Lull's research. Williams's leadership and courage in organizing and commanding the 1st Kansas underscores that African Americans could fight and die as bravely as white Americans."—Edwin C. Bearss, Historian Emeritus, US National Park Service, and author, Fields of Honor: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War, "Lull has done painstaking research in available primary sources to piece together Williams's life."--Nicole Etcheson, author, Bleeding Kansas and A Generation at War, "I am impressed by the depth of Lull's research. Williams's leadership and courage in organizing and commanding the 1st Kansas underscores that African Americans could fight and die as bravely as white Americans."--Edwin C. Bearss, Historian Emeritus, US National Park Service, and author, Fields of Honor: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War "Lull has done painstaking research in available primary sources to piece together Williams's life."--Nicole Etcheson, author, Bleeding Kansas and A Generation at War, "Lull presents a readable, informative account of the life and military career of a significant figure in the western Civil War and Indian conflicts. . . . Civil War General and Indian Fighter James M. Williams is a long-awaited addition to the history of the Trans-Mississippi West and a valuable insight into the role and struggles of African Americans."-- New Mexico Historical Review, "I am impressed by the depth of Lull's research. Williams's leadership and courage in organizing and commanding the 1st Kansas underscores that African Americans could fight and die as bravely as white Americans."-Edwin C. Bearss, Historian Emeritus, US National Park Service, and author, Fields of Honor: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War, Lull has done painstaking research in available primary sources to piece together Williams's life."—Nicole Etcheson, author, Bleeding Kansas and A Generation at War, "Lull's book fills a gap in the literature on the Civil War in Arkansas by telling us more than we ever knew before about Williams."-- Arkansas Historical Quarterly, "While Lull tracks Williams's entire life, he primarily focuses on the Civil War years. This provides an interesting opportunity to discuss the racial dynamics of the conflict in the Great Plains. Williams led white, black, and Indian soldiers into battle, and his men fought both white and Indian Confederates. This racial tension led to atrocities on both sides."-- Great Plains Historical Quarterly, "The author writes well, and he has done an impressive amount of research. . . . All those interested in Bleeding Kansas, the Civil War in the Trans-Mississippi theater, and the postwar 'Indian-fighting' army will find much to enjoy in this volume."-- Kansas History, "Lull has done painstaking research in available primary sources to piece together Williams's life."--Nicole Etcheson, author, Bleeding Kansas and A Generation at War, "I am impressed by the depth of Lull's research. Williams's leadership and courage in organizing and commanding the 1st Kansas underscores that African Americans could fight and die as bravely as white Americans."--Edwin C. Bearss, Historian Emeritus, US National Park Service, and author, Fields of Honor: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War "Lull has done painstaking research in available primary sources to piece together Williams's life."--Nicole Etcheson, author, Bleeding Kansas and A Generation at War, "Like many figures in American history, James Williams's life was controversial. He was a Kansas Jayhawker, he recruited blacks for Union service before it was acceptable to do so, and he even commissioned black officers. Significantly, his black troops were the first to best white Confederates in battle during the war, and he mercilessly pursued and killed Indians in the post-Civil War American West. Lull's text will be of primary interest to military historians and especially to those who follow the lives of pre-Civil War opponents of slavery."-- Southwestern Historical Quarterly, "Lull has done painstaking research in available primary sources to piece together Williams's life."-Nicole Etcheson, author, Bleeding Kansas and A Generation at War
