Post by Herb on Feb 25, 2009 12:34:48 GMT -5
Not too long ago, I finished reading Jonathan W. Jordan's Lone Star Navy.
It's a well written and well documented narrative, and even though it's probably outside the main interests of most members of this forum, I heartedly recommend it.
One of the key things that most forum members that aren't interested in naval operations would get out of it, is a very revealing look at the character of one Sam Houston.
For instance after Houston succeeded Lamar, Houston was in constant conflict with the leadership of the Navy. The Republic of Texas passed legislation signed by President Houston authorizing appropriations to repair the Texas fleet and prepare it for sea in preparation for the anticipated renewal of fighting in 1842. Houston refused to release the money (in fairness to Houston, given the bankrupt nature of the Texas Republic it didn't really exist). The catch is even though, Houston never released the funds, he later tried to prosecute Commodore Moore, the commander of the Navy, for embezzling the funds!
Besides, being an easy and good read on the Texas Navy, the book is full of such relatively unknown, incidents involving Houston.
It's a well written and well documented narrative, and even though it's probably outside the main interests of most members of this forum, I heartedly recommend it.
One of the key things that most forum members that aren't interested in naval operations would get out of it, is a very revealing look at the character of one Sam Houston.
For instance after Houston succeeded Lamar, Houston was in constant conflict with the leadership of the Navy. The Republic of Texas passed legislation signed by President Houston authorizing appropriations to repair the Texas fleet and prepare it for sea in preparation for the anticipated renewal of fighting in 1842. Houston refused to release the money (in fairness to Houston, given the bankrupt nature of the Texas Republic it didn't really exist). The catch is even though, Houston never released the funds, he later tried to prosecute Commodore Moore, the commander of the Navy, for embezzling the funds!
Besides, being an easy and good read on the Texas Navy, the book is full of such relatively unknown, incidents involving Houston.
