The Slaves' Gamble: Choosing Sides in the War of 1812

by Gene Allen Smith

Images of American slavery conjure up cotton plantations and African American slaves locked in bondage until the Civil War. Yet early on in the nineteenth century the state of slavery was very different, and the political vicissitudes of the young nation offered diverse possibilities to slaves. In the century's first two decades, the nation waged war against Britain, Spain, and various Indian tribes. Slaves played a role in the military operations, and the different sides viewed them as a potential source of manpower. While surprising numbers did assist the Americans, the wars created opportunities for slaves to find freedom among the Redcoats, the Spaniards, or the Indians. Author Gene Smith draws on a decade of original research and his curatorial work at the Fort Worth Museum in this fascinating and original narrative history. The way the young nation responded sealed the fate of slaves for the next half century until the Civil War. This drama sheds light on an extraordinary yet little known chapter in the dark saga of American history.

Genres: History, American History, Nonfiction, American, Research

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 22, 2013

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be fair, I read about half. It helped fill in the holes of my paper. A late find but a gold mine!

[Jerome Otte · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting new look at the war, although the title is somewhat misleading: Smith writes both about free and enslaved blacks. Even prior to the war, in colonial times, slaves were employed during times of war. During the Revolutionary War, many of the founders such as Washington and Jefferson were slaveholders and refused to accept black enlistments, until manpower shortages forced their hand. Promises of freedom were made during the war but forgotten when it was over.

After the Revolution, British and Indian incursions in the old northwest forced whites to consider enlisting blacks British Canada and Spanish Florida became common refuges for runaway slaves. When American filibusters attempted to seize Florida, these runaways took up arms in defense of their safe haven.

In the War of 1812, Britain offered freedom to slaves that reached their lines. At the same time, The US debated whether to employ blacks as soldiers. Lots of other issues were involved, which Smith does a good job of covering. One of the reasons the British employed slaves was because their manpower was so stretched by fighting Napoleon. Andrew Jackson promised freedom to slaves that joined his forces at New Orleans, but the never had any intention of honoring that promise.

A very interesting way of looking at the war. See also Amongst My Best Men: African-Americans & the War of 1812

[RK Byers · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Cockburn burns the city of Washington to the ground yet strangely comes across as genuinely heroic! go figure.

[Michael Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent research based writing. I did not know that the British presented this much of a problem to the U.S. well after 1776. Future President of the Confederate States Andrew Jackson promised back citizens freedom in exchange for fighting on the U.S. side. That did not work out. Indians were duped by this promise also. Canada, the West Indies and the United Kingdom provided a refuge for some soldiers. Others were captured and returned to slavery. I finally read the third verse of the Star Spangled Banner. Sad. Great book.

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did the Civil War happen? What is the third verse of The Star-Spangled Banner referring to? Why are aq pulling down statues of Andrew Jackson?

This book gives us the crucial chapters leading up to the Civil War - key to understanding the history of slavery in the United States. Essential reading in 2020.

[Jerry Landry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful look at historic individuals not often discussed in traditional recounts of the War of 1812. Smith provides great insight on the impact that this war had not just on the enslaved individuals seeking their freedom through various means but also what it meant for free Black individuals and North America as a whole. Highly recommend.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting perspective on the War of 1812

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars is generous for the writing style. Grammar/punctuation, and mentioning of facts more than once like it was the first time. A good editor should have been used.

That said, the facts are fascinating and appear well researched. Every war has displaced parties, slices of the population with something to gain or lose from one side or the other, and when it's all over and the winners write the history, some parts of the population are at worst ignored or at best treated like a footnote. This book sets a little of that right.

[KW · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable tale from history that I'd never heard of before. Reading can be a bit dense, but that's because it's so full of fascinating stories and because most of the resources are not written by the slaves themselves, of course, but rather must be extracted from military records, other people's diaries, etc. This book is an excellent antidote or all of those who see the Americans as the heroes of the War of 1812. Certainly the British had an ulterior motive for promising American slaves their freedom and recruiting those who made it to British lines into the army or navy, but look at the coin's other side: Andrew Jackson promising freedom to slaves who assisted the Americans during the Gulf Coast campaign and the Battle of New Orleans, and after the victory, saying he was sorry but he couldn't give away other people's property. Virtue lies in deeds, not words.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history of an overlooked part of American history and US/British conflicts. I knew about the Patriot War in Spanish Florida, and the role Blacks, Seminoles and Maroons played in driving back invading American forces, but I wasn't familiar with many of the other events involving slaves and free Blacks during the War of 1812.

[Zach McSwain · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides an interesting angle within the United States' second war with Great Britain. Smith looks into the difficult predicament which slaves faced in 1812 about which many readers likely have not heard. While 19th century American history is among the least interesting to me, I still found enjoyable parts within The Slaves' Gamble.

[Mark Cheathem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will be posting a review at jacksonianamerica.com/blog/

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed about slavery back in World war 1812.