The shocking story behind the U.S. Army's longest court-martial-full of sex; intrigue; and betrayal.In April 1879; on a remote military base in west Texas; a decorated army officer of dubious moral reputation faced a court-martial. The trial involved shocking issues-of sex and seduction; incest and abduction. The highest figures in the United States Army got involved; and General William Tecumseh Sherman himself made it his personal mission to see that Captain Andrew Geddes was punished for his alleged crime.But just what had Geddes done? He had spoken out about an "unspeakable" act-he had accused a fellow officer; Louis Orleman; of incest with his teenage daughter; Lillie. The army quickly charged not Orleman but Geddes with "conduct unbecoming a gentleman;" for his accusation had come about only because Orleman was at the same time preparing to charge that Geddes himself had attempted the seduction and abduction of the same young lady. Which man was the villain and which the savior?Louise Barnett's compelling examination of the Geddes drama is at once a suspenseful narrative of a very important trial and a study of prevailing attitudes toward sexuality; parental discipline; the army; and the appropriate division between public and private life. It will enrich any reader's understanding of the tumultuous post-Civil War period; when the United States was striving to define its moral codes anew.
#1616290 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 2012-08-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.23 x .64 x 6.39l; .91 #File Name: 0807872644280 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Tells a Different Side of the Civil WarBy AvidReaderThis is the book you want to read after watching the movie Twelve Years a Slave; because David Ruggles was the reason that Solomon Northrop escaped slavery. Ruggles organized the first ever "vigilance committee" in New York to protect African Americans from being kidnapped and sold into slavery. This committee of men ready to forcibly interfere with kidnappers stopped as many abductions as they could and succeeded in passing a state law in New York to rescue the victims that did get tricked into a kidnapping like Northrop. The law required the Governor of NY to personally be responsible for rescuing victims; which he did for Northrop after Northrop was able to get the letter to his family of where he was. Anyway; this is an amazing story of a Christian abolitionist who personally assisted several hundred fugitive slaves to escape; boldly protected the free blacks from kidnapping; and mentored other civil rights leaders like Frederick Douglas; Sojourner Truth and William Nell.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Every person interested in US history must read this book ...By Conrad HamanakaEvery person interested in US history must read this book. An unknown leader of the 19th century abolitionist movement in New York City. An unusual; intriguing character.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A Very Brave ManBy David L. RugglesThe Author of this book does a nice job telling the story of a great but largely forgotten man.This could not have been an easy book to write.David Ruggles was a very brave man whose story needed to be told and it is an interesting book indeed.Graham Russell Hodges does a clever job writng this tale;pieced together from many different sources.He puts together a narrative of what it was like in New York and the surrounding areas in the days of the abolitionist movement and the underground railroad.He tells how one man dedicated his life to help others;often at his own risk.He brings you back to a time in New York where black men were kidnapped and brought south to be sold into slavery.David Ruggles would fight the oppressors and he had much success.Read the book.
