Book Blurb:
It is Florida in 1835 during the time that would come to be known as the Trail of Tears. Andrew Jackson’s army is on the march to enforce The Indian Removal Act. The Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek and Choctaw have already been marched to the western territories beyond the far Mississippi River. Only the Seminole and Estelusti, the descendants of centuries of escaped slaves, resist.
Estelusti leader John Horse and Seminole chiefs Osceola, Alligator and Wild Cat fight back. Bloody ambushes fill the swamps of west Florida and slave revolts leave the east coast sugar plantations in flames.
Seen through the eyes of Pete Horse, a fourteen-year-old Estelusti boy-warrior, the Second Seminole War rages. In vicious, desperate jungle warfare from the Cove of the Withlacoochee to the shore of Lake Okeechobee, the Estelusti and Seminole frustrate and defeat the American generals time after time.
After each defeat, a new general with a larger army comes, slowly forcing the defenders deeper into the treacherous Everglades. Facing annihilation and enslavement, the Estelusti must fight to the bloody end.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/8NA4
Editorial Review:
“The Estelusti Trail” written by Roy V. Gaston, is a captivating story that begins vividly by
depicting the assassination of Wiley Thompson on December 28, 1835, near Fort King in
Central Florida. The author skillfully captures the tension and anticipation as Seminole and
Estelusti warriors plan and execute revenge against Thompson and Lieutenant Constantine
Smith.
Detailed descriptions paint a frightening picture of the ambush, highlighting Osceola's precise
strike that triggers a chilling gunfire. The ensuing chaos, with warriors descending upon Fort
King and the trading post, is both chaotic and triumphant. Osceola's triumph, marked by the
scalping of Thompson, serves as a powerful symbol of vengeance for past injustices.
The narrative doesn't stop at the violent confrontation but also explores the consequences.
Willet, Osceola's sister-in-law, becomes a complex character seeking her own form of
revenge. Exploring her emotions and the aftermath of the raid adds depth to the story.
“Little sister, you don’t seem pleased by our great victories today,” he said to Willet.
“I saw much death and pain. Why should I be pleased? I am deeply saddened at the death of the young Rogers boy,” she said. “I do not feel pride or wish celebration over his death. He was a friendly boy.”
“It was a great blow to our enemy, the Americans,” said Osceola angrily. In the shadow and firelight, his angry face looked fearsome.
“That should always be celebrated.”
As the warriors celebrate their victory, the author skillfully contrasts the joy with Willet's
somber reflection on the consequences of the raid. The introduction of characters like Virgil,
who shares the horrors of slavery, and the brutality of the MacCuaig brothers adds another
layer to the narrative, shedding light on the overall injustice faced by different communities.
The engaging narrative and historical details immerse readers in a tumultuous period of
Florida's history, addressing themes such as revenge and the complexity of human emotions
in the face of conflict. After the massacre at Fort King, Willet and the narrator plan an attack
on the Von Bock plantation in a tense setting, and the news of the arrival of eight hundred
soldiers amplifies the suspense.
The story explores the consequences of the battle, highlighting the physical and
psychological wounds of the characters, including those of Willet. Post-battle scenes
underscore the exhaustion and losses suffered in the conflict.
The novel delves into the struggle for freedom and justice in Florida in 1836. Well-defined
characters, such as Wild Cat and the protagonist, reveal the dramas of slavery. The author
provides details about the rebels' challenging conditions and presents lively and humorous
dialogues.
The scene of the plantation attack captures the intensity of the battle and the triumphs. The
relationships between characters add narrative depth and build tension around the success of
the mission. The protagonist's return to his family brings emotion, and the stories of
secondary characters add complexity and a broader perspective to the world created by the
author.
“My family rushed out as I pulled the canoe onto the bank. My two =8-year-old twin sisters, Emma and Maggie leapt on me with such fervor that we fell back in the water with a splash. They romped around on me like a couple of playful otter puppies. “Enough, enough,” I shouted. “I survived a battle, don’t drown me now that I’m home.”
The novel explores the intense events of the Gaines Campaign in February 1836, highlighting
the contrast between the idyllic life of the protagonist's family and the tensions caused by
American troops and political intrigues. The mystery surrounding the protagonist's mother's
activities in the Florida swamps adds intrigue, and the encounter with Estelusti leaders
explores intercultural and political conflicts. The confrontation between John Horse and
Gaines underscores cultural and moral disparities, while the arrival of General Jesup in
December 1836 marks a turning point, intensifying military presence and posing new threats.
The narrative captures the preparations of the Seminoles and the tensions generated by
Jesup's ruthless strategies.
“I know of him. Gen. Thomas J. Jesup. He concerns me a great deal. He is an exceptionally brave man, no doubt about it. He has won medals for valor and had two horses shot from underneath him at Scott’s great victory at the Battle of the Chippewa.”
“That is of no consequence. We have fought brave men before and sent them running,” said John.
“Yes, exactly. We have defeated them, which is why they send Jesup. He is different. He’ll be slow, methodical, and thorough. He’s been the Quartermaster for the entire American Army for years. He is a bean counter, not a glory seeker. He is the man who watches the bean counters. I expect his strategies will be markedly different.”
The destruction and barbarities imposed by Jesup's forces in Florida underscore the harsh cost
of the conflict. Contemplating the surrender of runaway slaves and the Surrender of Fort
Dade bring tensions and ethical divergences within the Seminole community.
The escape plan from Fort Marion, orchestrated by Willet and others, adds suspense. The
narrative explores the complexities of the escape, including the risks and the necessity of
secrecy. Arriving at Fort Marion in November 1837 accentuates the challenges of planning an
escape from what seems like an impregnable fortress.
The description of St. Augustine, despite its relative freedom for people of color, adds a layer
of tension as characters navigate through the risks associated with their mission.
“Our war had not come to St. Augustine. Other than the first fiery days of the slave revolts in Mosquito County, all the fighting had been on the other side of Florida. In the city of St. Augustine, black people still walked freely. They were too important to the city’s commerce to lock away. They were craftsmen, housekeepers, laborers, wood cutters and buggy drivers. Slaves unloaded the cargo from the merchant ships in the port. They mingled with the soldiers, merchants, shoppers and sailors that congested around the carts and open shops. No one paid us any mind as we drove the battered farm wagon toward the fort.”
The narrative builds anticipation as the characters prepare for a daring escape, emphasizing
the courage and resilience of those determined to regain their freedom. The emotional
farewells in prison and the determination of the individuals involved underscore the gravity
of their quest for freedom.
In "The Estelusti Trail," the narrative takes us through the challenging events experienced by
the Seminole and Estelusti in December 1837. Facing extermination from General Jesup's
forces, the tribes endure ruthless attacks and hardships. The swamp becomes a battlefield, and
warriors, led by characters like Mateo and John, fight with courage.
As the story unfolds, the scenes of battle, camaraderie, and the inevitable burden on the
characters paint a vivid picture. The symbolism of the swamp, described as a place suitable
only for creatures, adds a layer of complexity to the struggles faced by the Seminole and
Estelusti. The characters grapple with the harsh realities of war, loss, and the difficult
decisions they must make to survive.
„We waited for battle in the shadowy Loxahatchee swamp southeast of Lake Okeechobee. The soggy land on which we stood was underwater much of the year. It was a place fit only for the creatures that thrived by slithering, swimming or burrowing deep in the mud. Centuries of strong ocean winds had bent the trees in odd and eerie angles. The bare limbs curled like bony fingers beckoning one into the unknown, and the silver Spanish moss draped from them like cobwebs. This battlefield had not been chosen as our others had. The fight had begun by accident two days before, when a few of our hunters surprised a small patrol which had come ashore from a convoy of army supply boats. More fighters from both sides rushed to join, and the little skirmish soon became a desperate running battle across miles of swamp.
The surrounded soldiers finally reached their boats but left behind two of them full of desperately needed food and ammunition. Jesup responded quickly and large units of American reinforcements poured in from all directions.”
In the final chapters, the narrative shifts towards negotiations and a delicate balance between
survival and preserving their way of life. Characters face the consequences of their choices,
with John at the forefront, grappling with the weight of leadership and necessary sacrifices.
The conclusion, set in January 1838, encompasses the aftermath of battles, the burden on the
community, and the tough decisions made for the survival of their people. The surrender,
marked by a procession of warriors and families, signifies the end of the Black Seminole
struggle in Florida.
"The Estelusti Trail" weaves themes of honor, sacrifice, and resilience, capturing a
tumultuous period in history through the lens of these compelling characters. The book
proves to be a captivating epic, as the narrator and Willet navigate through turbulent
historical events and grapple with the consequences of their challenges. Roy V. Gaston
constructs a complex narrative, rich in historical and emotional details, maintaining the
reader's interest throughout.
****
“The Estelusti Trail” by Roy V. Gaston receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
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