J. Madison Drake

Fast And Loose In Dixie: A Civil War Adventure
Authors: J. Madison Drake, Editor: Albert Nathaniel Drake
Publisher: Xlibris.com
Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the Military Writers Society of America
Civil War Historic Memoir by Union POW and His Escape
Writer Albert Nathanial Drake continues to dig up some great memoirs and reedits and publishes them for modern readers. This civil war memoir written by J. Madison Drake in 1880, paints a portrait of that era like few have ever before. What a gift to all history buffs and certainly for those who study and love to read about the American War Between The States.
This is a well written and organized accounting by a Union officer that starts off with the battles in April of 1864 that were designed to capture Richmond. Lieutenant Drake and his men are captured during this campaign. This is the point where this story gets interesting and absolutely riveting. The details of his imprisonment and his treatment in Confederate POW camps were nothing short of hell at times. The cruelty and inhuman disregard for the prisoners makes for some dark history when you realize that these are all American troops on both sides of the war. These were terrible times and the book captures that shadow of our past that few reflect on or even know about today.
The original telling of Drake’s experiences at the hands of his captors and his subsequent escape from a train, along with three other Union officers, (Grant- Wisconsin, Lewis-Connecticut, Todd- New Jersey) is well done. The 47 days spent traveling through the enemy lines, swamps and snow capped mountains to reach freedom, is an even better story. This is real and the people are real. It is better than a novel. The editing of this memoir is done seamlessly. The fact that it could be rediscovered in this century is a “God send” for those of us readers that realize what an absolute treasure trove of personal information that this book presents. It is a reporter’s story from Iraq or some other war.
This book is a FIVE STAR reading experience and a top historic memoir. This book should be ranked in the “Top 100 Books” about the American Civil War! It is that good!

Comment by Al Drake- This book about overcoming oppression is an American symbol. J. Madison Drake (No misery would he bide, and so he was a scribe),was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, in 1837 the year after President James Madison died. He volunteered for the Army when Civil War started. He rose in rank to Captain and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor after the war and also brevetted a Brigadier General. As a civilian, he kept the vigilante army spirit alive by leading the volunteer Zouaves in marching shows around the county. His journalist experience produced his nation wide praised book in 1880, reprinted in 1998 because of its timeless story. The book reflects the trend of current historical writing as a narrative by ordinary people.
FAST AND LOOSE IN DIXIE, Adult, non-fiction, perfect bound format, 220 pages. Hardcover retail , $31.99, ISBN 0-9668883-0-8. Soft cover retail , $21.99, ISBN 0-9668883-1-6. The book can be purchased at Amazon.com.
Albert Drake is a World War II veteran, a retired business executive and has published two wine books and three historical books, Born in New Jersey, he now lives in Florida.… (plus d'informations)