Fremont, John C. (Author); Spence, Mary Lee & Jackson, Donald (Editors)

The Expeditions of John Charles Fremont: Volume 2, The Bear Flag Revolt and the Court-Martial

Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1973.
Hardcover. 6-1/4 x 9-3/8", brown cloth, 519pp, appendix, bibliography, index, frontis. portrait, 20 illus. in text. Item #900785
ISBN: 0252002490

Beginning with his third California expedition of 1845 – a time of glory for Fremont – and concluding in the spring of 1848 with his bitter resignation from the Army, this volume covers a pivotal portion of the career of one of the most acclaimed travelers of the 19^th century West.

From 1845 to 1848, Fremont became involved in the political activity and intrigue which led to his famous court-martial in 1849 – a “Dreyfus case,” his wife wrote later. Fremont’s third California expedition, his participation in the Bear Flat Revolt of 1847, his command of the California Battalion, and his seven weeks as governor (during which time he defied the military authority of Stephen Watts Kearny) are all covered by the 278  documents presented here. They point to Fremont’s continued interest in the topography and flora of the West (he sent cases of plants by sea to botanist John Torrey), his sometimes insensitive treatment of the indigenous residents, and his relationships with many prominent figures, including Robert F. Stockton, Thomas O. Larkin, Mariano G. Vallejo, Kit Carson, and Thomas H. Benton.

Fremont’s conduct during these years and his part in the Bear Flat Revolt have since been criticized by historians. Harvard historian and philosopher Josiah Royce charged Fremont with bringing a needless war into California and creating a deep estrangement between Mexicans and Americans. The publication of these documents, including the full court-martial proceedings, help to clarify the controversial California story and offer insight into Fremont’s complex character. The documents, according to the editors, “speak constantly to the point that in the California episode Fremont was as often right as wrong.”

Bright, clean, and tight, fine in dust wrapper and protective mylar.

Price: $45.00