TRAILSMAN 213: Apache Wells [Paperback]

Jon Sharpe (Author)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 1 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Signet (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451198220
• ISBN-13: 978-0451198228
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 6.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,315,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "THE BLOOD OF TWO PEOPLES", January 27, 2011

By 

Kay's Husband (Virginia, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: TRAILSMAN 213: Apache Wells (Paperback)

Butterfield Overland Mail
New Mexico, 1860
Apache Pass
Chiricahua Indians

This wonderfully written novel is based upon an actual historical happening in January, 1861 (book says 1860). The events occurred in both southern New Mexico Territory (1850-1912) and Arizona Territory (1863-1912) on the old Butterfield Overland Mail route between the two western army forts Fort Cummings, New Mexico Territory and Fort Bowie, Arizona Territory (book says Fort Breckenridge and Fort Buchanan). As the novel indicates the Butterfield Overland Mail route ran this route between the years 1858-1861. Route was changed due these types incidents with the Apaches, as this was the main home country of several Apache tribes. As the book indicates, the Bascom Affair did bring on further warfare between Cochise's people and the United States Army.

The title of this novel is "Apache Wells", however it could equally be thought of as 'Apache Pass' as the true events of the novel (the Bascom Affair) occurred in Apache Pass near the stage station, with the overall incident known to the Chiricahua ("Cherry Cows") Apaches as the "cut the tent" episode describing Cochise's escape. The 12-year old boy kidnapped in this novel was called Felix in real life and later grew in adulthood to be know as Mickey Free, one of the best Sergeant of Apache Indian scouts the U.S. Army used during the numerous Apache Wars in Arizona Territory. The novel also mentions as main characters a Colonel Morrison (actual order #4, issued Fort Buchanan, New Mexico Territory by Morrison) and a Lt. Bascom, (order allowed use of force of arms if necessary) with both these men actually existing in history and being part of this entire episode which ultimately lead not only to 2 massacres, 1 each side, but to the resultant breakout of war.

Mention should be made also that while the stagecoach passenger massacre is a main part of the fictional episode and story, in actual historical event the massacre by Cochise's warriors involved a Mexican wagon train with 7 Mexicans murdered and 4 Americans taken captive to be used by Cochise as hostages to use as exchange for his family members being held captive by Lt. Bascom.

Though some things differ in this novel to the historical event, the book is after all fiction and has that allowance to differ from historical events. However, should a reader find this book of interest an overall knowledge of the actual historical events concerning the Bascom Affair will be gained. As with all the Trailsman books, this one is very well written, reads quickly and is very enjoyable. Another Trailsman series book easy to recommend to potential readers.

Read on, book-a-roo's.

NOTE: A couple of typos appear in this book too: Fargo is talking with his friend John Butterfield on page 2 addressing him as "Jim" rather than John.

On page 100 Bascom refers to Colonel Morrison as "Captain" Morrison.

May be more typos but those are two that I noticed.

Semper Fi.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who the heck's got the kid?, May 14, 2010

By 

J. Guild (Toronto,Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TRAILSMAN 213: Apache Wells (Paperback)

This episode finds Fargo in New Mexico in 1860,to take on a job of finding a better route for for his friend's stagecoach line from St Louis to San Fransisco.He makes a visit to Fort Breckinridge and gets a lot more than an overnite rest and a meal.He finds that all is not well at the fort,especially with its Colonel Morrison and his NCO's and soldiers.He alswo finds that a young half-breed boy has been taken from a small farm near Apache Wells, supposedly by some Indians.The Colonel has his mind set on it being the great Chief Conchise and ,and Fargo agrees to help find the boy.It doesn't take Skye long to figure out that the Colonel wants to make a name for himself by putting an end to the famous Cochise.Fargo is convinced that Concise is not the kidnapper,and actually meets him and believes him , and why Morrison is wrong.It leads to some pretty good detective work,but Fargo is patient and does what is needed to be done to prevent widespread killings for all the wrong reasons.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It was excellent., September 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: TRAILSMAN 213: Apache Wells (Paperback)

As usual John Sharpe writes right to the hilt. 213 is full of action an suspense. I wait every month for the next adventure.