The army and navy of America: containing a view of the heroic adventures, battles, naval engagements, remarkable incidents, and glorious achievements in the cause of freedom, from the period of the French and Indian Wars to the close of the Mexican War; independent of an account of warlike operations on land and sea
The army and navy of America : containing a view of the heroic adventures, battles, naval engagements, remarkable incidents, and glorious achievements in the cause of freedom, from the period of the French and Indian Wars to the close of the Mexican War : independent of an account of warlike operations on land and sea : enlivened by a variety of the most interesting anecdotes and embellished with engravings
x, 263, [1] p. front., illus., plates, ports., plans. 20 cm.
Summary
The book describes the beginnings of the U.S. Navy , the construction of the Constitution , the details of the ships armaments and crew and it's various exploits including the war with Tripoli and the War of 1812 .
Includes bibliographical references (p. [269]-323) and index.
Contents
The sweets of liberty -- The maid I left behind me -- A sailor ever loves to be in motion -- The sons of Neptune -- Brave Republicans of the ocean -- Free trade and sailors' rights -- Proper objects of Christian compassion -- The ark of the liberties of the world -- Epilogue.
Summary
"Life aboard warships, merchantmen, and whalers, as well as the interactions of mariners and others on shore, is recreated in absorbing detail. Describing the important contributions of sailors to the resistance movement against Great Britain and their experiences during the Revolutionary War, Gilje demonstrates that, while sailors recognized the ideals of the Revolution, their idea of liberty was far more individual in nature-often expressed through hard drinking and womanizing or joining a ship of their choice..... Gilje continues the story into the post-Revolutionary world highlighted by the Quasi War with France, the confrontation with the Barbary Pirates, and the War of 1812." [from the publisher]
Chapters: A LONG CRUISE AND A BATTLE -- FROM OUR COUNTRY IN ITS BOYHOOD TO OLD LANDS IN DISTRESS -- WAR ON THE PLATA -- OUR WAR WITH MEXICO -- PRESIDENT POLK -- INTIMATE NOTES ON PRESIDENT BUCHANNAN -- THE CIVIL WAR AS A NAVAL SURGEON SAW IT -- OUR NAVAL DEMONSTRATIONS ABROAD -- SURGEON GENERAL.
Notes
Jonathan Messersmith Foltz (April 25, 1810 - April 12, 1877)was born in Lancaster, Pa. He was a military surgeon of the United States Navy, who served in the Mexican-American War and American Civil War, eventually rising to the rank of commodore and serving as Surgeon General of the United States Navy in 1871-72.
