To read of sea roving's various incarnations - piracy; privateering; buccaneering; la flibuste; la course - is to bring forth romantic; and often violent; imagery. Indeed; much of this imagery has become a literary and cinematic cliché . And what an image it is! But its truth is by halves; and paradoxically it is the picaresque imagery of Pyle; Wyeth; Sabatini; and Hollywood that is often closer to the reality; while the historical details of arms; tactics; and language are often inaccurate or entirely anachronistic. Successful sea rovers were careful practitioners of a complex profession that sought wealth by stratagem and force of arms. Drawn from the European tradition; yet of various races and nationalities; they raided both ship and town throughout much of the world from roughly 1630 until 1730. Using a variety of innovative tactics and often armed with little more than musket and grenade; many of these self-described "soldiers and privateers" successfully assaulted fortifications; attacked shipping from small craft; crossed the mountains and jungles of Panama; and even circumnavigated the globe. Successful sea rovers were often supreme seamen; soldiers; and above all; tacticians. It can be argued that their influence on certain naval tactics is felt even today. The Sea Rover's Practice is the only book that describes in exceptional detail the tactics of sea rovers of the period - how they actually sought out and attacked vessels and towns. Accessible to both the general and the more scholarly reader; it will appeal not only to those with an interest in piracy and in maritime; naval; and military history; but also to mariners in general; tall-ship and ship-modeling enthusiasts; tacticians and military analysts; readers of historical fiction; writers; and the adventurer in all of us.
#3063950 in BooksColor: Brown 2001-09-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.30 x 1.33 x 6.38l; 1.80 #File Name: 1572492414512 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. GRACIE'S PRIDE: THE 43RD ALABAMA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERSBy Robert A. LynnGRACIE'S PRIDE: THE 43RD ALABAMA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERSARTHUR E. GREENBURD STREET PRESS; 2001HARDCOVER; 45.00; 495 PAGES; ILLUSTRATIONS; APPENDICES; GENERAL REFERENCES; INDEX; ABBREVIATIONSThe 43rd Alabama Infantry Regiment was organized at Mobile; Alabama in May; 1862. It was at once ordered to Chattanooga and placed under the command of General Danville Leadbetter. It then advanced into Kentucky with General Edmund Kirby Smith's column but wasn't actively engaged. Instead; it passed the winter at Cumberland Gap where it later joined a brigade under General Archibald Gracie who was attached to General Braxton Bragg at Tullahoma. The regiment subsequently was ordered back to East Tennessee where they operated for a number of months until rejoining Bragg's army and participating in the Battle of Chickamauga where they sustained severe losses.It then was attached to General James Longstreet's 1st Corps; where it was ordered towards Knoxville and participated in the Battle at Bean's Station. It suffered very few casualties and then went into winter encampment in East Tennessee. In May; 1864; the 43rd had reached General P.T. Beauregard's command located at Petersburg; Virginia. When General Sheridan advanced toward the outposts; the 43rd was there to meet him. At the Battle of Drewry's Bluff; the 43rd was actively engaged where it sustained heavy casualties. After that engagement; it was placed in the trenches at Petersburg in June; 1864; where it fought continuously in most of the battles against Union forces attempting to outflank them. At Appomattox Court House; the 43rd; with other portions of the brigade; drove back the attacking Union forces and captured a battery of guns when the surrender of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia surrendered. The 43rd surrendered as part of Moody's Brigade (Colonel Stansel commanding); Bushrod Johnson's Division; Gordon's Corps with 15 officers and 113 men present for duty. Of the 1;123 names on the muster roll of this regiment; an estimated 100 were killed; an estimated 225 dying of disease; and 161 being transfered or discharged. It is credited with the following military campaigns: Mobile/Fort Morgan/Chattanooga; Kentucky; Tennessee; Chickamauga; Rossville; Knoxville; Bean's Station; Chester Station; Drewry's Bluff; Petersburg; Hatcher's Run; and Appomattox Court House.The following information is provided about the companies of the 43rd:*Company A-Marengo County*Company B-Marengo County*Company C-Greene County*Company D-Tuscaloosa County*Company E-Marengo County*Company F-Mobile County*Company G-Jefferson County*Company H-Walker and Tuscaloosa Counties*Company I-Tuscaloosa and Walker Counties*Company K-Tuscaloosa and Walker CountiesGRACIE'S PRIDE: THE 43RD ALABAMA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS isn't just another regimental history but one that combines both the battle history with a muster roll of all officers and enlisted members of the unit during its existence. It contains period photographs; newspaper accounts; roster notes; service records; illustrations; and an organizational chart that enhances this excellant; well-written book. Today we may question the necessity for war and support for a socio-economic system that rested upon the institution of slavery; but it is difficult not to admire the courage and conviction that led these 1;260 Alabama of the 43rd Alabama Infantry Volunteers to fight for a cause in which they deeply believed.Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn; Florida GuardOrlando; Florida
