Sam Houston And The American Southwest Summary

Sam Houston and the American Southwest were written by Randolph B. Campbell. Currently Professor Campbell teaches at University of North Texas in Denton. He has written many other books including Gone to Texas The history of the Lone star state. This is one of my favorite books; Sam Houston had a very interesting life. As a child he was relentless and rebellious. He had little formal education, but loved to read. He eventually tired of Tennessee and ran away. He crossed the river and lived among the Cherokee Indians. While living with the Indians Sam Houston learned a valuable lesson that would soon come to use to him later in life, peace first and war second. He lived among the whites and the Indians for a time. When the War of 1812 broke out Sam did not volunteer to join, he instead wanted to study mathematic but in 1813 he decided against a teaching career and joined the 7th US Infantry where he quickly became third
Lieutenant. In the battle of reek War he courageously charged toward a well-guarded Creek fortification. He was wounded with arrows twice in the shoulder and once in the thigh, they won the war. Afterwards he petitioned to remain in the army. Andrew Jackson and Sam became good friends he later appointed him as a Federal Agent, and assigned him the task of removing the Cherokees from Tennessee. He resigned from the army in 1818 at age 25. He became an attorney in a mere six months when he returned to Tennessee. He remained friends with Andrew Jackson and even supported his campaign in 1822-1824 and 1823. He was even elected to the House of Representatives. He was even challenged to a dual, he won and the other person was shot but did survive. In 1827 he campaigned for and won governorship of Tennessee. He married Eliza in 1829, a girl 15 years younger than him, and sadly soon after their union she left Sam and after he went into a voluntary exile. In 1829 he officially became a part of the Cherokee nation, and served as a representative in Washington D.C for them. Sadly during this time Sam Houston became an alcoholic and the Indians even named him “Big Drunk”. He married and Indian wife, Tiana although he was never formally divorced from Eliza. She refused to return to Texas with him so he left her. He later married Margaret Lea in 1840; this was his third and final wife. She was a great influence on him, convincing him to stop drinking all together. He and Margaret had 8 children, one of which was named after his dear friend Andrew Jackson and he became a Senator for Texas. I think it is so neat to see that no matter where life to Sam Houston, he always remained so committed to Texas. No matter what he always made it back to Texas and fought for it! He was a man of many talents and he held the position of Lieutenant, lawyer, teacher war hero, Congressman, and even President of Texas! He also ran for Governor of Texas in 1857, but due to his unpopular views he was defeated. This book is so interesting to me.
I think that this book was written for anyone who wants to know more about the history of Texas and Sam Houston. It is also written for college students. It is a great read. He was once quoted saying “It is a matter of great satisfaction to me to hope that my children will be in circumstances to receive a good education. Mine was defective and I feel the inconvenience, if not the misfortune of not receiving a classical education. Knowledge is the food of genius, and my son, let no opportunity escape you to treasure up knowledge. He knew the importance of good education and it honestly intrigues me of how intelligent he was and well-rounded despite his lack of one. On his tombstone it reads: A Brave Soldier…A Fearless Statesman…A Great Orator– a Pure Patriot...A Faithful Friend…A Loyal Citizen…A Devoted Husband and Father…A Consistent Christian– an Honest Man. After reading this book I would have to agree with that and I wish we had more people like Sam Houston in government
today!