Jackson, Crockett and Houston on the American Frontier: From Fort Mims to the Alamo, 1813-1836 Paperback – Illustrated, June 14, 2016

From Mims to San JacintoPaul Williams tells the history of Andrew Jackson, David Crockett and Sam Houston by using the device of focusing on the events from 1812 to 1836.From early on there was tension between European settlers and Native Americans. The repeated violence between the two groups led to the use of fortifications by the settlers. Fort Mims started as a house surrounded by a palisade owned by Samuel Mims. It was improved over the years to include a blockhouse and expanded to cover more ground.The Creek Nation was split into two factions during the war of 1812. A party of Red Stick (Creeks favoring war) had traveled to Florida to acquire supplies and weapons from the Spanish. This party was attacked by American forces thus starting an active war between the two forces. The Red Stick forces had repelled the American forces, and their confidence was high.A month later about a thousand Red Sticks assembled to attack Fort Mims. The Garrison there consisted of about 500 people including friendly Creeks and militiamen. Probably around 250 armed individuals.The attack started around noon and was over by early evening. It was reported at the time that only 37 people had serviced either by flight or by being taken prisoner. The earliest troops arriving in relief of the fort reported the mutilation on many bodies.The feelings of the American and peaceful Creek forces were highly inflamed by this news. Three people were involved in the reaction to this event.Andrew Jackson who had served in the revolutionary war at a young age was appointed a colonel in the Tennessee militia. Following the Mims massacre, he was given command of 2,500 West Tennessee men.David Crockett enlisted with a company of mounted riflemen. He took an active part in the early fighting and then mostly served as a scout and hunter.Sam Houston served under Jackson and was wounded storming a breastwork. He impressed Jackson with his bravery, and they became friends.The work continues to trace the lives of the three till the events surrounding the Alamo and what followed. this is an interesting device to tell the story of this period of American history.The only fault I could find was the author's choice of using some of his drawings. A few of them leave much to be desired. But that is a nitpick. This is a well written most interesting book. I recommend it highly.

very good book

An excellent account of the intertwined lives of three famous characters from America's past. Although countless books have been written about the Alamo the author has come up with, as far as I know, a first logical explanation for where those defenders who were killed outside the walls actually came from, and how many - based on logic and eyewitness accounts. A far better and more truthful account than was seen in Tucker's one-star "Exodus from the Alamo." And I enjoyed the comparison with the famous Foreign Legion story "Beau Geste" - Santa Anna inadvertently giving the dead defenders a "Vikings' Funeral." This a excellent reading for all lovers of American frontier history.

A must buy for anybody that grew up with adventure. Paul Williams is brilliant in keeping you on the edge of your seats as he tells the story of the Alamo and of the Battle of Fort Mims. Andrew Jackson, David Crockett, and Sam Houston were involved in both iconic events in American History between 1813 and 1836. Very detailed with first hand accounts and quotes yet fast paced like a Saturday morning matinee. Brian Gibson Alamo Society Sergeant At Arms.