Sabre And Bayonet : Stories of Heroism and Military Adventure : Collected and Edited

New York: Dillingham, 1897. Very Good+ in the publisher's full burgundy cloth. Both the spine and the front panel are stamped in gilt (still brilliant). Octavo. 361pps., with numerous black-and-white illustrations -- 20 of them full-page. There is mild bumping to the tips and light touches of soiling to the cloth. Also, the page-edges are slightly browned. Modest reading wear, including the (very) sporadic smudge, fox-mark, or creased page-corner. This item has been recently restored: it has new inner hinges (the endpapers are original), a tightened spine, and new endcaps (where there had previously been a bit of fraying to the cloth. It is overall, then, quite clean and the binding tight with all pages intact. This is an association copy, inscribed in a fine, calligraphic hand to 'Dr. Cyrus Townsend Brady with compliments of T. F. Rodenbough, New York, April 6/'03.' It is also inscribed in an only slightly less stylish hand 'with the compliments of the old sergeant, Jno. H. Cook.' Brady would, of course, go on to become a successful and highly-published author of historical and biographical titles (his career barely begun at the time of this signing); his works included 'Recollections of a Missionary in the Great West,' 'Commodore Paul Jones,' 'In the Wasp's Nest,' 'Sir Henry Morgan, Bucaneer,' 'Arizona,' and 'Indian Fights and Fighters.' He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1883 and had spent several years in the West, seeking adventure, and working for the Missouri Pacific and Union Pacific railroads. He later became an ordained deacon in the Episcopal church before resigning to engage in his literary pursuits. The two signers of the book, the author, Rodenbough, and Cook, were both recipients of the Medal of Honor for feats of heroism during the Civil War. Rodenbough, a horseman, served with the 2nd U.S. Cavalry, the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and the 3rd Pennsylvania Provisional Cavalry; he received his citation for actions at Trevilian Station, Virginia. Cook -- on whom a chapter (including a couple of sketches) is devoted in this book -- was a member of Company A, 119th Illinois Infantry; he received his Medal 'for conspicuous bravery at the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, April 9th, 1864.' A very nice copy of an elusive book -- a collection of true stories concerning the Civil War and the Wild West -- rendered one-of-a-kind with the inscriptions. Rodenbough published a number of Civil War titles and is, perhaps, best known among collectors for his 'From Everglade To Canon With the Second Dragoons' (1875), a classic piece of nineteenth century American military history. Purchase with confidence: all books, gradings, and descriptions are rendered the care of a genuine bibliophile. Satisfaction guaranteed or all costs you've incurred will be promptly refunded. Thanks for your interest in Nooks Of Books. To assist with your decision, photos, comprehensive, can be emailed upon request.. SIGNED. Cloth.