The concept of civilian authority over the military is a revered bedrock belief of America and our Constitution. No military officer may proceed without the expressed consent and under the orders of competent civilian direction derived from the President of the United States. This has been true since the earliest days of our nation. That being the case, one might find it incredible for a general officer to invade sovereign territory, occupy installations and cities, expel the duly appointed civilian authority, make war on inhabitants, and execute citizens of a third nation, all without the express authority of the President. However, that is exactly what MG Andrew Jackson did in what has become known as the First Seminole War in 1818. Old Hickory's War is the story of these events.
After the War of 1812, nearly every American agreed that in order to control problems with Indians, prevent the escape of slaves, and to solidify the United States' hold over territory. It was desirable to acquire Florida from Spain. Spain actually agreed with the idea and negotiations were underway. Andrew Jackson could not wait for that process to come to fruition. He assembled a force with the knowledge of the government and asked for permission to attack into Florida, ostensibly to put down threats to white settlers in South Georgia and Alabama. Rather than await an answer, he proceeded in his incursion, causing a political and international crisis. Through the force of his personality he was able to avoid responsibility for his violation of the Constitution and later went on the become President himself.
The authors, a husband and wife team, are respected historians; he, formerly of the University of Southern Colorado, and she of the United States Air Force Academy. This book was originally published in 1996 and is now released with the benefit of new scholarship that supports their original conclusions.
Those conclusions are that Jackson’s actions were unauthorized despite his later concocted story that he received authorization from President James Monroe by way of a letter received from Tennessee Congressman John Rhea The letter has never been found nor has anyone ever seen it. Its purported existence is only known because Jackson said it existed and was able to pressure an aging Rhea to attest to it some ten years after the fact, when Jackson was at the height of his political power. Considering that Jackson's presence on the national scene had only increased during that time, it is credible that Rhea was just knuckling under to Jackson in this case. The authors' position is that this letter never existed and that Jackson's actions were wholly without authorization.
Old Hickory’s War is a well-written story of a time when South Georgia was considered the frontier, populated by a combination of white settlers trying to forge a country and Indians trying to maintain a culture against overwhelming odds. It is also a story of a man who was answerable to no one and how such an individual can manipulate events to his liking. It is a worthy read, especially for those with little or no knowledge of the era.