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The Confederate War Bonnet: A Novel of the Civil War in Indian Territory
 

The Confederate War Bonnet: A Novel of the Civil War in Indian Territory

by Jack Shakely

It’s 1863, and the United States is in the midst of the Civil War when mixed-blood Jack Gaston is called back from Harvard University to his beloved Creek Nation. He is surprised to find that not only has he been elected to be a chief in the House of Warriors, he has also been conscripted as an officer in the Confederate Army. Gaston soon learns that the Civil War in Indian Territory is more... (read more)

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Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

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Francesca C
  • Rated 5 stars

“If you're interested in Native Americans and the Civil War, this is a very good book.”

Francesca C’s full review »
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Community:
  • Rated 4.8 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 0 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • Mary L. Simonsen

    mary l. simonsen said:

    “Jack Gaston, the son of a white mother and a Creek Indian, is as comfortable in the white world of Harvard University and St. Louis as he is in his father's print shop in the Creek Nation, but his heart is Creek. While attending Harvard, Jack learns that he has been elected to the House of Warriors. The honor comes in the third year of the Civil War when the Southern Creeks are fighting for the Confederacy.

    Jack serves as an officer in the Confederate Army before being seriously wounded. Back in the Creek Nation, Jack prints a news sheet which contains the usual wartime propaganda. Because there is actually very little good news to report, Jack fills the empty space with the exploits of a Creek/Confederate warrior in the story of "The Confederate War Bonnet" which is modeled after the dime novels of the time. "The Confederate War Bonnet" is read by both armies, and the imaginary hero becomes so real in the eyes of the Union soldiers that he ends up with a price on his head.

    This book explains why so many Indians chose to fight with the Confederates. Twenty years earlier, Federal soldiers had forcibly removed the Five Civilized Tribes from their homes in the South. Thousands died on the Trail of Tears while walking to their new home in Oklahoma. So it is not that the Creeks are fighting “for” the Confederacy but “against” the Federals.

    Jack Shakely, who is of Creek descent, tells a positive story with grace and humor, but he also strikes the right chord when the hardships of war descend upon the Creek Nation. This book is an important re-creation of events which occurred in a theater of war that few people know about.
    ”

    posted Friday, March 28 2008
  • Bob S

    bob s said:

    “I'm looking forward to reading this, Jack. It sounds fascinating.

    Bob”

    posted Friday, February 29 2008 ( | view 1 reply )
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