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BUGLES IN THE AFTERNOON by Ernest Hayoox Kirkus Star

BUGLES IN THE AFTERNOON

By

Publisher: Little, Brown

Really a ""Western pattern"" but with superior material and telling, this makes a good job of the military, historical, personal background of the always controversial Custer and his dramatic finale. Kern Shafter enlists as a private with the 7th Regiment in Fort Lincoln, near Bismarck, Dakota Territory, right after the Civil War. There he meets Garnett, who years before had stolen the Women Kern loved and ruined his military career. Another woman, Josephine Russell, adds trouble to their feud, learns to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each man, and gives her heart to Kern. Antagonism mounts between the two during the wait for the campaign against the Sioux to start, and with the action, Custer's foolhardy gesture forces Kern to aid until the latter's death. Kern is saved and returns to Josephine, with his name cleared of the old charges. Romance primarily, but the story has its share of soldiering, Indian policies, regimental life, men and leaders...