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Dade's Last Command
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"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."
"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."
311 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 11, 2012
This book is a"must read" for anyone interested in Florida's Seminole Wars. Meticulously researched, it is the best documentation of the Dade battle, the massacre that began the Second Seminole War (1835-1842), ever written. It is a relentless tale that shoves the reader directly into the political world of early nineteenth century America. Author Frank Laumer pulls no punches as he offers readers a stark look at the precursors to war, slavery and Native American removal in frontier Florida.
Liberally quoting letters, interviews and other period documents, Laumer eventually shoves the reader headlong into the battle itself. Using the actual words of soldiers, Native American warriors and an African American participant, Laumer brings all that action into a chillingly vivid focus. The desperation felt by all the participants is made painfully clear and is only exceeded in Laumer's descriptions by their ill-fated bravery.
The author demonstrates his research and carefulness with detail by including extensive end notes, a solid bibliography and a very useful index. The dust jacket of the book is a reprint of Florida artist Jackson Walker's painting depicting the Dade battle.
Liberally quoting letters, interviews and other period documents, Laumer eventually shoves the reader headlong into the battle itself. Using the actual words of soldiers, Native American warriors and an African American participant, Laumer brings all that action into a chillingly vivid focus. The desperation felt by all the participants is made painfully clear and is only exceeded in Laumer's descriptions by their ill-fated bravery.
The author demonstrates his research and carefulness with detail by including extensive end notes, a solid bibliography and a very useful index. The dust jacket of the book is a reprint of Florida artist Jackson Walker's painting depicting the Dade battle.
January 16, 2026
Excellent, very thematic. An outstanding account of the beginning of the 2nd Seminole War that the US and the Seminole Indian tribe fought from 1835 -1845. Until Vietnam, this was the longest war the US engaged in.
This books primary focus is on the ambush, “massacre”, of Major Dade’s 108 men marching from Fort Brooke (present day Tampa) to Fort King (present day Ocala Florida. There were about 181 Seminoles that ambushed Dade’s command near present day Bushnell Florida. All but three of Dade’s men were killed. The Seminole’s lost about 3 killed and 4 wounded.
Of course, the US Indian policy of removal that the Seminoles were facing caused the resentment and eventually the resistance. What the US did to those folks was and is inexcusable; but it was policy back then.
I reenact that battle as a soldier every year. The battlefield is held by the State as a battlefield monument to both sides that fought there. The battle occurred on December 28 1835. It’s a moving experience, and this books primary focus is on the human impact that the Government Policy had and the reaction to it. Many people gained what the Seminole’s lost and made much money on it. Today’s Florida is a testament to that.
This books primary focus is on the ambush, “massacre”, of Major Dade’s 108 men marching from Fort Brooke (present day Tampa) to Fort King (present day Ocala Florida. There were about 181 Seminoles that ambushed Dade’s command near present day Bushnell Florida. All but three of Dade’s men were killed. The Seminole’s lost about 3 killed and 4 wounded.
Of course, the US Indian policy of removal that the Seminoles were facing caused the resentment and eventually the resistance. What the US did to those folks was and is inexcusable; but it was policy back then.
I reenact that battle as a soldier every year. The battlefield is held by the State as a battlefield monument to both sides that fought there. The battle occurred on December 28 1835. It’s a moving experience, and this books primary focus is on the human impact that the Government Policy had and the reaction to it. Many people gained what the Seminole’s lost and made much money on it. Today’s Florida is a testament to that.
January 12, 2018
An essential volume for anyone interested in this fascinating part of Florida's military history; the style is very readable but is fully backed up by sources and full bibliography. Unlikely to be improved on bearing in mind the scarcity of extant primary records.
January 14, 2018
A very well written account of the Dade Massacre in central Florida authored by a life-long student of the battle and history surrounding it. The definitive account for anyone interested in Florida history and the Seminole Wars fought in the 1850s. I highly recommend it.
April 12, 2020
An excellent book detailing the events leading up to the cause of the Second Seminole War and it's catalyst event, Dade's Massacre.
Exceptionally researched and transformed into an engaging story the reader can't put down. Frank Laumer has accomplished what most historians fail miserably at when writing. That is tell a story which is both true and also captures the reader's attention so completely. The reader can place themselves inside the events and experience throughout the book. It doesn't matter if it is the Seminole Sub-Chief Oceola's anger or Private Ransom Clark's fear during the battle. The author allows you to live the experience.
Exceptionally researched and transformed into an engaging story the reader can't put down. Frank Laumer has accomplished what most historians fail miserably at when writing. That is tell a story which is both true and also captures the reader's attention so completely. The reader can place themselves inside the events and experience throughout the book. It doesn't matter if it is the Seminole Sub-Chief Oceola's anger or Private Ransom Clark's fear during the battle. The author allows you to live the experience.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews