NEW RELEASE!
Military Honor on Trial
The Saga of Joseph Hooker and George H. Derby
Part courtroom drama, part frontier history, and part exploration of a forgotten code of honor, Military Honor on Trial recounts the true story of two critical antebellum trials.
These famous courts martial involved two notable officers: Joseph Hooker, the renowned Civil War general, and George H. Derby, known as "Squibob," America’s first famous humorist. The story reveals how their quest for honor inspired courage, fueled personal vendettas, and changed the course of their lives and careers. It is a compelling and cautionary true tale about the power and danger of military honor in the 19th century and its impact on the Civil War.
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One stolen horse. Two explosive egos.
A feud that would shape the Civil War.
About the book
Military Honor on Trial tells the true story of a bitter conflict between Joseph Hooker, an ambitious and outspoken future famous Civil War general, and George H. Derby, a clever and cheeky army engineer. Both learned the strict military honor code as cadets at West Point. Their feud erupted during gold rush-era California, where military authority clashed with the chaos of a rapidly changing civilian world.
For those interested in the Civil War, Military Honor on Trial presents a new history of Joseph Hooker’s behavior and actions that incensed many of his fellow officers. His arrogance and political moves during the Mexican War, along with his unethical financial schemes in California, damaged his early military career and later caused major problems during the Civil War.