Phillip Thomas Tucker's Emily D. West, the Real Yellow Rose of Texas

Phillip Thomas Tucker, PhD, is an award-winning author of more than 40 books on various aspects of American history. He has conducted extensive research into the remarkable lives of historical men and women, black and white. Phillip Thomas Tucker, PhD, stands out as the ground-breaking author of the 2014 publication, Emily D. West and the “Yellow Rose of Texas” Myth.

Like many popular legends, the story of the Yellow Rose of Texas has changed significantly from its source material. However, Dr. Tucker has placed her fascinating story in a proper historical perspective for the first time. The original, or real, Yellow Rose was Emily D. West, a black woman who was born free in New Haven, Connecticut. She signed a contract to work as a housekeeper for James Morgan, who would pay her $100 a year and transport her to Galveston Bay, Texas.

Some time after West arrived by ship on the coast of east Texas, Mexican troops seized her and a number of other black servants and white workers, when the small port of New Washington was captured in mid-April 1836. Legend says that West was in General Santa Anna's tent on the hot afternoon April 21, 1836, when Texan forces launched a surprise attack that captured the military camp. 

The story attributes the Texans victory to Ms. West’s seduction of the Mexican general, but historical facts place this firmly in the realm of impossibility. She could not have known the recently-formulated Texans' plans to attack, and no reports at the time mention a woman's presence or the general's alleged predicament of an intimate nature.

When Ms. West later reported the loss of her freedom papers in the attack, she was granted a passport out of Texas, where the institution of slavery thrived, and she left the area. She remains ensconced in legend, still credited by many for the winning of the most decisive and important Texan victory of the Texas Revolution. For the first time, Dr. Tucker has set the historical record straight, while illuminating the life of a remarkable free black woman from the North.

Phillip Thomas Tucker's Cathy Williams, Female Buffalo Soldier

Phillip Thomas Tucker, PhD, is the author of more than 40 ground-breaking books on a wide variety of subjects in American history. The award-winning author of many "New Look" books of unique distinction, Phillip Thomas Tucker, PhD, wrote Cathy Williams, From Slave to Female Buffalo Soldier (2002), and America's Female Buffalo Soldier: A New Look at the Life of Cathy Williams in History and Memory (2017). Dr. Tucker was the first author to write a book about the remarkable life of Cathy Williams. The author has devoted much of his distinguished writing career to exploring the lives of forgotten African Americans, both men and women, to reveal their stories for the first time.

Cathy Williams, as the title of the book indicates, was born into slavery in 1844 near Independence, Missouri. She served as a house servant in the Independence, Missouri, home of William Johnson until the Civil War when Union troops freed her from service during the summer of 1861. At that time, Williams became a servant for the Union Army, cooking and washing uniforms for Federal officers, including at least one general, until the war's end in 1865.

Disguised as a man by the name of William Cathay, Cathy Williams joined the 38th United States Infantry, Company A, also known as the Buffalo Soldiers, at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, on November 15, 1866. This distinguished unit of African-Americans men, almost all former slaves, was assigned arduous service across the western frontier.

In October 1868, Williams became ill and required medical care at a remote fort in New Mexico. A military doctor discovered her biological sex, and she was discharged from the Army, after nearly two years of faithful service to her country. Cathy then remained in the West, where she became a self-sufficient and resourceful pioneer woman. Cathy Williams left a distinguished legacy--the first African American woman to serve in the United States Army. Therefore, Cathy Williams was a true pioneer for all African American women who serve today in the United States military.

Phillip Thomas Tucker, Ph.D., Reveals the Intimate Alexander Hamilton

Phillip Thomas Tucker, PhD, writes extensively on American history with a new and fresh perspective that most other historians often neglect or omit. He is the author of more than 40 ground-breaking books on various aspects of American history. Dr. Tucker's books have won awards, including national, and have been regularly featured with the History Book Club and the Military Book Club.

Released by Skyhorse Publishing, New York, New York, in August of 2017, Phillip Thomas Tucker's Alexander Hamilton's Revolution, His Vital Role as Washington's Chief of Staff focuses on Hamilton's crucial time in the American Revolution. One respected reviewer and scholar emphasized how: "Alexander Hamilton's Revolution is more than the story of Colonel Hamilton's wartime feats and multifaceted role as an aide to General George Washington. Phillip Thomas Tucker explores the fascinating story of Hamilton's relationship with Washington, unraveling what each thought of the other, what each meant to each other . . . This is an illuminating book, written with verve and intensity."

While Alexander Hamilton is best remembered as Washington's Secretary of the Treasury after the American Revolution, Hamilton's path to that key role was circuitous and irregular, however. Though he worked extensively with General Washington at headquarters from March 1777 to early 1781, Hamilton chafed at the inherent limitations of the role, even as his industriousness and meticulous nature made him a natural fit. 

His key Chief of Staff position traded on and built upon the core strengths Hamilton had early developed as a clerk and a student, and the extensive political and logistical wartime challenges made him a strong proponent of a central government that could successfully meet the many stern challenges upon which the infant republic's survival depended. Still, he was unhappy and desperate to have his own military command to provide his talents on the battlefield and well beyond the unseen confines of headquarters while working in obscurity under Washington's long shadow.

Hamilton tendered his resignation after a sharp personal clash with Washington in early 1781. However, his own sense of determination and the intercession of Philip Schuyler, his father-in-law, led Hamilton back to participate in the American Revolution with renewed vigor. Hamilton ultimately received the light infantry command he wanted by the time of the decisive showdown at Yorktown, Virginia. Here, in October 1781, he played a key offensive role in the most decisive battle of the American Revolution and began rebuilding the relationship with Washington that would carry him to the status of American icon and legend.

Phillip Thomas Tucker's New Look at Custer's Last Stand

Historian Phillip Thomas Tucker, PhD, an award-winning and ground-breaking author, is taking a fresh and new look at major events and iconic turning points in American history. Phillip Thomas Tucker, PhD, a former Department of Defense historian and prolific author of more than 40 books, has written extensively on a wide variety of subjects in American history.

Much of Dr. Tucker’s work focuses on various aspects of military history, including his ground-breaking book, Death at the Little Bighorn, A New Look at Custer, His Tactics, and the Tragic Decisions Made at the Last Stand. While many historians concentrate on the catastrophic results of Custer's tactical decisions late in this famous battle, Dr. Tucker contends that the initial plan Custer made was not as disastrous as most think. Dr. Tucker’s book is based on accounts from sources that most historians have overlooked, including Native Americans who were present at the battle and the preceding battle (ironically, the most forgotten clash of arms that occurred at the beginning of the Battle of Little Bighorn) at Medicine Tail Coulee Ford. 

In Dr. Tucker’s well-documented and thoughtful view of events that are right on target, the charge at Medicine Tail Coulee Ford was intended to be an overpowering strike to turn the tide. However, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer was wounded during this charge, which signaled the beginning of the end for his five companies of the 7th Cavalry, as it caused his command to fall into disarray and ultimately resulted in disaster. Tucker has presented another "new look" of one of America's most famous battles, presenting a fresh perspective to give up a better and more thorough understanding of what really happened at the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876.

One respected reviewer emphasized the importance of this ground-breaking book: "Custer's last movements and decisions have been argued about since 1876, but, in my mind, no one has made a stronger case for what really happened than Phillip Thomas Tucker in this compelling and convincing narration."

Phillip Thomas Tucker's The Irish at Gettysburg

Phillip Thomas Tucker, Ph.D., is a New York Times-lauded historian and award-winning author of more than 40 books in multiple fields of history. He has published numerous books that have taken a fresh "New Look" at key events and crucial turning point moments in American history. Tucker has long focused on breaking new ground in the field of Civil War history, especially the all-important Battle of Gettysburg. The author's books are regularly featured as selections of the History Book Club and the Military Book Club. America's leading experts and authorities have long praised Tucker's "New Look" books for their ground-breaking contributions in multiple fields of American history.

Phillip Thomas Tucker, Ph.D.’s most recent ground-breaking work, The Irish at Gettysburg (History Press), reconsiders one of the Civil War’s emblematic battles from the unique perspective of the Irish-descended and Irish-born soldiers of both sides who fought there with courage and distinction from July 1 to July 3, 1863. Most importantly, this is the first book that has explored in detail the untold story of the Irish on both sides during the most important battle of the Civil War. 

These men of Irish heritage made up the bulwark of General Robert E. Lee’s troops of the Army of Northern Virginia and engaged in hard-fought, high attrition efforts--the tactical offensive--during all three days of combat. They were also well represented in the Union ranks and resolutely defended against the most crucial breakthrough during Pickett’s Charge, which was the Confederacy’s “high-water mark” during the four-year conflict. Here, the Irish of Pickett's Virginia Division met the Irish of the Philadelphia Brigade during the bloody showdown at the "high-water mark."

Weakened by heavy artillery fire, the hard-fighting regiments of the Irish Brigade were able to muster a charge that temporarily halted a concerted Confederate attack that threatened to outflank and overwhelm a weak link in the Union line. Just before this charge, Father William Corby, the inspirational brigade chaplain, stood on a rocky outcropping as the men of the Irish Brigade knelt and provided general absolution, before they entered the raging battle. Today, an impressive statue of Father Corby at Gettysburg pays an appropriate tribute to this spiritual contribution that fueled the combat prowess of the Irish Brigade on July 2. 

The legacy of the Irish Brigade is also still reflected in the Irish Brigade Monument at Gettysburg, which features a granite base and Celtic cross and stands nearly 20 feet tall. Dedicated in 1888 and sculpted by an Irish Confederate veteran who fought at Gettysburg, the sculpture also features a full-sized Irish wolfhound, which represents the honor and fidelity of the Irish soldiers.

All in all, Tucker's The Irish at Gettysburg has presented a fresh "New Look" view to illuminate the important roles played by the Irish on both sides during the bloody three days of the most crucial battle of the Civil War--a valuable and important book.

Phillip Thomas Tucker's Important Book "Emily D. West"

Phillip Thomas Tucker, Ph.D., is the author of more than 40 books in multiple fields of history. Dr. Tucker has emerged as America's leading "New Look" historian for presenting a large number of highly original historical narratives over an extended period of time. Tucker earned three degrees in history, including a Ph.D. from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. After earning his Ph.D., Tucker served for more than two decades as a professional historian for the Department of Defense (DoD), primarily in the Washington, D.C., area.

Tucker's most recent book, "The Irish at Gettysburg," has continued the author's notable penchant of presenting ground-breaking works in long-overlooked fields of history. For the first time, Tucker has presented the fascinating story of the heroic Irish who fought on both sides during the most important and largest battle of the Civil War, the dramatic showdown at Gettysburg from July 1 to July 3, 1863. After more than 150 years, the story of "The Irish at Gettysburg" was long overdue in the crowded field of Civil War and Gettysburg history. The hard-fighting Irish have come vividly to life in his important book.

Most importantly, he has written extensively on the history of women in America, especially those whose lives have intersected with military actions, including during the Texas Revolution, the Civil War and post-Civil War service in the American West. In such ground-breaking books as "Cathy Williams, From Slave to Female Buffalo Soldier," and "America's Female Buffalo Soldier, A New Look at the Life of Cathy Williams in History and Memory," and "Anne Bonny, Infamous Female Pirate," the author has emphasized the struggle for equality of these remarkable women whose lives have been long ignored.

One woman Phillip Thomas Tucker, Ph.D., has covered in great detail is Emily D. West, a resourceful and enterprising African American woman whose participation in the Texas Revolution has been extensively mythologized in the American West. In the myth, West, sometimes known as Emily Morgan, was a slave taken captive by Mexican General Santa Anna. She is said to have distracted the general in his tent with her charm and good looks, delaying his response to Sam Houston's surprise attack and changing the course of the Texas Revolution. The myth was told for more than 100 years, and saw her identified with the girl immortalized in the song “The Yellow Rose of Texas.”

The truth, however, is not so fanciful. West was not a slave, but a free woman, and could not have had any foreknowledge of General Houston's plans of attack. It does seem likely that she was one of many taken prisoner at the battle of San Jacinto, Texas, however, and records of a passport application substantiate the idea with a mention that she had lost identifying documents (her papers as a free black woman) at the battleground and had come from New York to Texas alongside Col. James Morgan.

Phillip Thomas Tucker's "Alexander Hamilton's Revolution"

Phillip Thomas Tucker, Ph.D., has authored more than 40 books of distinction on a wide variety of subjects in the field of history. He has written extensively on many aspects of American history, making important contributions by breaking much new ground in multiple fields of history. Because of his many key contributions in the writing of original and thoughtful history to present fresh perspectives and new views, Dr. Tucker has emerged today as America's leading "New Look" historian. Tucker earned three degrees in American history, including a Ph.D. from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. After earning his Ph.D., Tucker then embarked upon a career as a professional historian for the Department of Defense, serving for more than two decades.

One figure who Dr. Tucker has written on in great detail is Alexander Hamilton, known to most Americans better for his service as Secretary of the Treasury, his tempestuous personal life, and his appearance on the ten dollar bill than for his military exploits. Tucker has told the fascinating story behind the popular Broadway play "Hamilton" in his ground-breaking book "Alexander Hamilton's Revolution, His Vital Role as Washington's Chief of Staff." Tucker also wrote about Hamilton's key contributions, as a young artillery officer, during Washington's crossing and at the battle of Trenton in his ground-breaking "Washington's Surprise Attack, A New Look at the Battle that Decided the Fate of America."

Hamilton's first military title was Captain of the Provincial Company of Artillery in New York, and he displayed a talent for leadership and logistics early on. In this role, he not only had to recruit and train artillerists, but also had to find ways to feed, clothe, and pay them. A former mercantile clerk and an avid student of artillery warfare, Hamilton proved conscientious and effective in this role, despite difficulties securing funding from the provincial congress.

Most of Hamilton's early successes, however, came under less-than-glorious circumstances. His primary role for much of the early period of the American Revolution was to cover the Continental Army as it gradually retreated westward. Ultimately, though, his coverage of these retreats proved effective and important, providing the Continental Army a chance to recover and resupply, and even sometimes securing the surrender of Hessian mercenaries employed by the British. Hamilton's day of glory came in leading the daring attack that captured a key strategist redoubt at Yorktown that played a large role in forcing Lord Charles Cornwallis to surrender the town--a turning point of not only the American Revolution, but also in world history.