Dade's Last Command
Laumer's latest history on the annihilation of a column of soldiers led by Major Francis Dade across Florida in 1835 "supersedesMassacre![his 1968 work] as the definitive account" because the author has tracked down previously unrecorded documents, letters, and period interviews. Also new to this narrative is Laumer's own experience walking the trail in full gear as part of a reenactment. Laumer's focus is on the slaughter of Dade and most of his company, more than 100 soldiers and 3 survivors. The soldiers were marching specifically to quell the rebellious Seminoles who were aiding escaped black slaves. The successful attack on Dade's company triggered a brutal clampdown on the Seminoles. It has been said that the war in Florida was "a slave-catching enterprise for the benefit of the citizens of Georgia and Florida." It is noteworthy that the Second Seminole War, precipitated by Dade's battle, was the first American war fought over the issue of slavery, and it resulted in the removal of the Seminoles from their land, leaving the country "safe" for white expansion.Denise Perry Donavin--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.