SW088 An Englishman in the Second Seminole War Offers Soldier-Level Recollections on Key Events and Figures in long removal conflict

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A letter-centric approach came in a 1966 publication; Randal Agostini employed a narrative memoir approach for this version.

 

John Bemrose came to America from England as an unaccompanied 16-year-old in 1831. He served in the US Army as a dedicated hospital steward during the Second Seminole War.

Bemrose documented his five years in America in a series of sixty letters written to his eldest son, Weightman, between November 1863 and May 1866. Randal J. Agostini, the great-great-grandson of John Bemrose, has compiled and edited these fascinating letters into an engaging memoir.

In a first-person narrative, John Bemrose provides unique descriptions of nineteenth century St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Micanopy, and other locations. He offers personal observations of Florida’s diverse populations, and key figures of the Seminole War. Bemrose recounts dramatic battles, difficult marches through the Florida wilderness, and the challenging life of a soldier.

This exciting memoir published by the Florida Historical Society is available to the public in this form for the first time. It provides valuable new insights into Florida history and culture from An Englishman in the Seminole War. Randal Agostini will be at the Dade Battlefield Historic State Park Jan. 1 and 2 to sign copies of his book during the annual living history reenactment of the Dade Battle. Find him at the Seminole Wars Foundation table. 

 

The original book taken from John Bemrose's letters and type set, copied, and bound for Bemrose descendants. Below, Randal Agostini shows off the original manuscript. 

 

 

Host Patrick Swan is a board member with the Seminole Wars Foundation. He is a combat veteran and of the U.S. Army, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Kosovo, and at the Pentagon after 9/11. A military historian, he holds masters degrees in Public History, Communication, and Homeland Security, and is a graduate of the US Army War College with an advanced degree in strategic studies. This podcast is recorded at the homestead of the Seminole Wars Foundation in Bushnell, Florida. 

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