The forgotten story of how the U.S. Army was created to fight a crucial Indian warWhen the Revolutionary War ended in 1783; the newly independent United States savored its victory and hoped for a great future. And yet the republic soon found itself losing an escalating military conflict on its borderlands. In 1791; years of skirmishes; raids; and quagmire climaxed in the grisly defeat of American militiamen by a brilliantly organized confederation of Shawnee; Miami; and Delaware Indians. With nearly one thousand U.S. casualties; this was the worst defeat the nation would ever suffer at native hands. Americans were shocked; perhaps none more so than their commander in chief; George Washington; who saw in the debacle an urgent lesson: the United States needed an army. Autumn of the Black Snake tells the overlooked story of how Washington achieved his aim. In evocative and absorbing prose; William Hogeland conjures up the woodland battles and the hardball politics that formed the Legion of the United States; our first true standing army. His memorable portraits of leaders on both sides―from the daring war chiefs Blue Jacket and Little Turtle to the doomed commander Richard Butler and a steely; even ruthless Washington―drive a tale of horrific violence; brilliant strategizing; stupendous blunders; and valorous deeds. This sweeping account; at once exciting and dark; builds to a crescendo as Washington and Alexander Hamilton; at enormous risk; outmaneuver Thomas Jefferson; James Madison; and other skeptics of standing armies―and Washington appoints the seemingly disreputable Anthony Wayne; known as Mad Anthony; to lead the legion. Wayne marches into the forests of the Old Northwest; where the very Indians he is charged with defeating will bestow on him; with grudging admiration; a new name: the Black Snake.Autumn of the Black Snake is a dramatic work of military and political history; told in a colorful; sometimes startling blow-by-blow narrative. It is also an original interpretation of how greed; honor; political beliefs; and vivid personalities converged on the killing fields of the Ohio valley; where the United States Army would win its first victory; and in so doing destroy the coalition of Indians who came closer than any; before or since; to halting the nation’s westward expansion.
#5291084 in Books Anna Starinov 1995-01-03 1995-01-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.20 x .70 x 5.50l; .85 #File Name: 0345482247304 pagesISBN13: 9780345482242Condition: NewNotes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Spain Civil War by a guerrilla fighter.By FRANCES BURKEInteresting first=hand report of guerrilla style warfare in Spain; written by a Russian Communist. Biased; as expected; but fair.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Partisan warfare in the Spanish Civil WarBy 1789This is a remarkable book. If one tenth of it is true; this is one tough; smart woman and a dedicated Communist. She left her eight-year old daughter in Moscow and went off to Spain to "advise" the Republicans who were fighting the Nationalists and their Fascist allies; the Italians and Nazis. The book describes the methods that were used by Republican partisans operating on sabotage and intelligence missions behind Nationalist lines. Clearly; many of the methods and tools of clandestine partisan warfare had their origins in the Spanish Civil War. Many of these methods and tools were later used in the Resistance Movements of various European nations.The book gives some insights into the infighting within the Republican camp between Communists; Anarchists; Socialists of various stripes; although it doesn't mention the massive killings that went on between these various groups.This book can be enjoyed at several levels. It is a pretty good general read. although it uses a lot of stiff Soviet sentence structure; It's the story of a very brave; tough woman who needed no liberation. It's a very serious insight into irregular warfare for the serious military student. It's a glimpse into Stalin's Russia where many of Anna's friends and comrades became persons; "of whom we may not speak". The author was a dedicated Red for whom the Party could do no wrong.I enjoy military history off the beaten path and this is an account of a war that is forgotten by most Americans. If you are interested in clandestine warfare; this is a "must".
