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."