The Scott Massacre of 1817 - New Book Details First U.S. Defeat of the Seminole Wars

My newest book, The Scott Massacre of 1817, is now available in both print and Kindle editions at Amazon.com.

Named for Lieutenant Richard W. Scott of the 7th U.S. Infantry, this encounter on the banks of the upper Apalachicola River was the first defeat for the army in a series of wars between the United States and the Seminole Indians. It assured that the full power of the expanding nation would be brought to be bear on the alliance of Red Stick Creek, Seminole and African ("Black Seminole") warriors that overwhelmed and then inflicted a stunning 98% casualty rate on Lieutenant Scott's command.

Much has been written about the later Dade Massacre or Battle, but this is the first book-length study of the event that led the Monroe Administration to order the invasion of Spanish Florida by Major General Andrew Jackson. More than any other event, the attack on Scott's command enabled the United States to pressure Spain into giving up Florida. The colony became a U.S. territory just four years after the battle on the upper Apalachicola.


The new book explores events leading up to the retaliatory attack on Scott's command, the incidents of the battle itself, the repercussions of Scott's defeat and provides the first ever listing of U.S. casualties. With attention also devoted to the preliminary Battle of Fowltown and the subsequent U.S. invasion of Florida, I believe you will find this to be a fascinating and informative read.

Read excerpts and learn more about ordering:

The Scott Massacre of 1817 (Print Edition $19.95)

The Scott Massacre of 1817 (Kindle Edition $9.95)

New Book looks into 10 Southern Ghost & Monster Stories

I'm please to announce the release of my latest book, The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge.

This volume investigates 10 of the best known ghost and monster stories from Jackson County, Florida, through the eyes of a historian. After repeating the legends, the book delves into the real histories behind each of these tales and comes up with some fascinating results!

The book is available for order at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellamybook.

The story featured in the book title is the tragic story of Elizabeth Ann Croom Bellamy, a young woman who died during antebellum times. Elizabeth has connections to both Florida and North Carolina and her dead sparked what may be Florida's best known ghost story. Her restless spirit is said to haunt Bellamy Bridge, a historic steel-frame bridge that spans the Chipola River north of the city of Marianna.

A fascinating tale that originated during the antebellum era, the real truth behind the legend is even more intriguing than the legend itself.

Other stories include tales from Marianna, Greenwood, Graceville, Sneads, Parramore, Cottondale and even Two Egg!

100% of the cover price of this volume is being donated to help fund the Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail, a new public historic site on Highway 162 near Marianna that is being constructed without the expenditure of a single extra tax dollar.

Thank you in advance for your support of this project and I hope you enjoy the book!

New Book: The History of Jackson County, Florida (Volume One)

I'm pleased to announce that the first volume of my new three volume set, The History of Jackson County, Florida, will be released for online sales on Monday, July 7th.

If you would like to go ahead and place an order, you can do so by visiting: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/jacksonbook.

The cost is $24.95 plus $5 shipping and handling. Proceeds from the book will be donated to the Chipola Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, to help fund historic markers in Jackson County.

Volume One of the series covers the years from 1674 to 1860 and includes details on Jackson County's Spanish missions, Native American reservations, early settlements, Florida's oldest Baptist Church (Campbellton), the Marianna vs. Webbville fight, the county's role in the American Revolution, the Calhoun County War of 1860, the story of Jackson County's "Rip Van Winkle," Bellamy Bridge and much more.

The book will be available at Chipola River Book & Tea in downtown Marianna, Florida in about two weeks, but internet orders will begin shipping next week. If you have already placed an order for the book, your copy will arrive in the next two weeks.

I hope you enjoy it!

Final Days of Special Book Sale

Just a quick reminder that if you would like copies of any of my 2007 books, now is a great time to purchase them at special prices, but time is running out!

To celebrate the upcoming release of my new The History of Jackson County, Florida: Volume One, my publisher is having a special online sale on the three books published last year.

The sale includes Two Egg, Florida, The Battle of Marianna, Florida and The Battle of Natural Bridge, Florida and all are available at the lower prices you will find this year.

The special offer ends ends this coming week, so if you would like to take advantage of it, please do before April 30th. Normal prices remain in effect in bookstores and other online sellers.
For more information and to order, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/booksale.

Special Sale on Books by Dale Cox

To celebrate the upcoming April 30th release of my looooooooooong awaited multi-volume book, The History of Jackson County, Florida, http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ is having a special sale this month on my 2007 releases.

Included in the sale are:

• The Battle of Marianna, Florida - Regularly $19.95; On Sale for $15.
• The Battle of Natural Bridge, Florida: The Confederate Defense of Tallahassee - Regularly $19.95; On Sale For $15.
• Two Egg, Florida: A Collection of Ghost Stories, Legends and Unusual Facts - Regularly $16.95; On Sale for $12.

For the first time, a package deal on all three is also available for $40.

This sale is for a limited time only and will end with the release of the new book on April 30th. It is available only through www.exploresouthernhistory.com/booksale. Prices through stores and other outlets remain as normal.

If you would like a copy of any or all of these books, this likely the best price you will find this year.

Last chance to order for Christmas!

If you hope to order copies of any of my books in time for Christmas, this is pretty much your last chance. Due to mail volume this time of year, this weekend is the last opportunity to make sure that book shipments are delivered by Christmas day. If you order before Monday, they should make it.

Copies are available of all three: The Battle of Marianna, Florida, The Battle of Natural Bridge, Florida, and Two Egg, Florida: A Collection of Ghost Stories, Legends and Unusual Facts.

You can order them online at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/dalecox or through www.barnesandnoble.com, www.amazon.com or your favorite online bookstore. If you are in the Northwest Florida area, signed copies are available at Chipola River Book and Tea at 4402 Lafayette Street in downtown Marianna (on the same block as the Gazebo restaurant across the street from the Battle of Marianna monument).