From the Foreword: "The definitive account of the march and annihilation of Major Francis Dade's column of 108 men in December 1835. . . . Extensive knowledge of the soldiers; the Seminoles; and the terrain is woven into the text. There does not exist a more vivid; but at the same time historically accurate account of a single action in U.S. military literature." "...a gripping account of the infamous Dade Massacre and probably the best book ever written about the Second Seminole War."--Matt Pearcy; The Journal of America's Military Past Dade's Battle in December 1835 precipitated the Second Seminole War. It was the first American war fought over the issue of slavery; Frank Laumer writes; and it occurred principally because of white determination to protect the institution. In their search for runaway slaves; white citizens of Georgia and Florida invaded Seminole land and met with resistance; the violent encounters that followed led to Dade's Battle. As a result; Laumer says; the escape hatch was closed; Native Americans were removed from the land; and Florida was made "safe" for white expansion. Coupling thirty years of research with a passion to understand the fate of Major Dade's command and the motivations of the attacking Seminoles; Laumer has written a vivid account of a battle that changed Florida's history. After walking Dade's route on the Fort King Road from Tampa to the battlefield north of the Withlacoochee River--wearing the complete woolen uniform of an enlisted man; carrying musket; canteen; pack; bayonet; and haversack--Laumer can describe not only the clothing and weapons of the soldiers but also the tension and fear they felt as they marched through Seminole territory. He has also assessed the position of the Seminoles; sympathizing with the choices forced by their leaders. Laumer also describes the backgrounds of the soldiers who marched under Dade and the role of much-maligned black interpreter; Louis Pacheco; and he offers new insights on the mistakes made by the commanders who ordered the march. More than the account of a single military action; Dade's Last Command is the story of good and decent men "who died violent and terrible deaths to perpetuate a political and social evil."
#68877 in Books Richard Beeman 2010-02-09 2010-02-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.18 x 1.18 x 5.46l; .95 #File Name: 0812976843544 pagesPlain Honest Men The Making of the American Constitution
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Plain; Honest Men Act For The AgesBy C. GrosseRichard Beeman has crafted a fascinating story of the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia when a group of; in his description; 'plain and honest men'; got together to draft a new document to govern the fledgling United States of America and; without meaning to; wrote for the ages. Beeman tells how the delegates met with divergent ideas on what needed to be done; from minor revisions to the Articles of Confederation to a totally new plan of governing. He writes about the backgrounds and careers of most of the principal actors and details the bumpy path they traveled together to produce the final Constitution of the United States. Beeman tells his tale with skill and care to show that some fifty delegates although disagreeing violently at times were able to compromise and reason their way together.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This popular history of the May-September 1787 making of the US Constitution by Dr. Richard Beeman is superb popular historyBy C. M MillsThe most momentous event in the history of the early American republic is the drafting of the United States Constitution in Philadelphia from May to September 17; 1787. Dr. Richard Beeman a distinguished professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania and an expert on the Constitution has written the best popular account of the event in this generation of scholars. The president of the Constitutional drafting meeting was General George Washington who would later become the first POTUS.Delegates from twelve of the thirteen states (Rhode Island did not send delegates) met in the Pennsylvania State House for long hours during the spring; summer and fall of that distant year. Philadelphia had a population of 40;000 in 1787. The fifty-five delegates were housed in private homes; inns and boardinghouses. Among the distinguished members of the constitution drafting convention were James Madison the writer of the best of the future Federalist Papers and fourth POTUS: Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia; the Pickneys of South Carolina; Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts and Luther Martin of Maryland. Delegate G. Morris of Pennsylvania came up with the idea of dividing the federal government into three branches: legislative; judicial and executive. Slavery was the elephant in the room! Twenty-five of the fifty five delegates were slave owners George Mason of Virginia owned over three hundred African-American slaves. Many of the battles raged over the large states wanting proportional representation in Congress. It was decided that one member would represent 30;000 persons in congressional districts in the United States House of Representatives while two senators would represent each of the states. One of the most interesting parts of the book concerns the executive branch. Many compromises were required and the state conventions between the Federalist and Anti-Federalists supports was fierce. In 1789 The US Constitution at last became operable. The document ended the weak continental congress governed by the Articles of Confederation. Shays rebellion and the inability of the continental congress to tax or wield military power evinced a dire need for a Constitution. Beeman writes with fluidity and interest on the complex topic of the Constitution. His descriptions of the leading participants and the major issues facing the delegates makes for fascinating reading. This book could be used with efficacy in a college course on the US Constitution. Excellent and essential for students of American government!8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Should be required reading for all US citizensBy Hugh S.This book is the most impressive and enthralling reading experience I have had for years. The story of the creation and ratification of the Constitution is given a very human face. The author peppers his chronicle with colorful vignettes and capsule biographies of the principle players. But; much more to the point; he tells the story of "plain; honest; men;" struggling with their parochial and innate prejudices; their ambitions; and their notions of what the new country was to be. Strangely; the book had many of the qualities of a cliffhanger; even though I knew how it ended. In reading this book; I came to gain; simultaneously; an incredible respect for those men and their creation ... and a much healthier regard for the Constitution as a product of politics; compromise; and intrigue ... and see it even more as a living creature today. If you ever entertained the notion that the US Constitution was somehow either handed down from on high; intact and perfect; or is the sacrosanct product of our saintly; infallible founding fathers; it is imperative that you read this book...now!
