New Book on the Civil War in Florida is now Available

 I'm pleased to announce the release of my latest book, The History of Jackson County, Florida: The War Between the States.

Available at Amazon.com, the book is 330 pages long and focuses on the history of the people - white and black - of a typical plantation county of the Deep South during the Civil War years. Jackson County was then one of the most prosperous and heavily populated counties in Florida. The home of the state's Confederate governor, it suffered more severe economic devastation during the war than any other county in Florida. The county seat, Marianna, was the objective of the deepest penetration of Confederate Florida by Union troops during the war.

Events covered range from suicides and escape attempts in the county's slave community to "brother against brother" battles between local troops and their former friends and neighbors who became members of guerrilla bands and Union cavalry regiments. The book also includes a large amount of previously unpublished material on the life of Governor John Milton, who committed suicide in Jackson County on April 1, 1865, after telling friends that death was preferable to defeat at the hands of the North.

If you are in Jackson County, signed copies are available at Chipola River Book and Tea in Downtown Marianna (across the street from the Battle of Marianna Monument).  If you prefer to order directly from Amazon.com, please just click the ad above.

New Book is now Available in Hardcover and Paperback

I am pleased to let you know that my latest book - The History of Jackson County, Florida: Volume One - has officially been released.

If you pre-ordered a copy, your book should arrive no later than the end of next week. If you are expecting a copy and it hasn't arrived by then, please let me know so I can check on it for you.

If you are interested in ordering a copy, I recommend you order directly from the printer for fastest service. I'll include details at the bottom of this post.

This book is the first in a three volume series on the history of Jackson County, Florida. Although the book is technically a county history, Jackson County was so closely tied to major events in the early history of Florida and the Deep South that I think you will find it of interest far beyond the borders of the county.

Volume One covers the years from 1674-1860 and covers the Spanish mission era, American Revolution, War of 1812, First Seminole War, early settlements, Second Seminole War, Trail of Tears and even includes an in-depth study of Jackson County's favorite ghost story as well as the truth behind the legend of the county's lost pirate treasure.

The book is large (well over 300 pages) and features maps, photographs and a detailed appendices that includes the county's 19th century Native American census. Paperback copies are $24.95 and hardcover copies are $29.95. Profits from the book are being donated to the Daughters of the American Revolution to assist in developing a new historic marker program for Jackson County.

Please click here for information on ordering a paperback copy of the book for $24.95.

Please click here for information on ordering a hardcover copy of the book for $29.95.

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!