By the Dawn's Early Light

By the Dawn's Early Light: Volume 9

Book Series: Prelude to Glory
Author:         Ron Carter
Publisher:     Bookcraft
Publishing date: 2005
Pages:           605
Number of Chapters: 26

This volume spans eight years, June 1807-Feb 1815

Prologue
by Richard B. Bernstein

The Constitution is thirty years old but this new nation is deep in debt and morale is low as to how they will restore national credit. Alexander Hamilton is urging everyone to support international commerce and manufacturing, radical ideas the republic is powerless to control, while Thomas Jefferson and James Madison argue farming and local trade is the only way the common people can earn a decent living. How much power should the Constitution have in these issues? 
Another big issue on the table is how the United States should respond to the French Revolution. Federalists like Hamilton debate America should not get involved while Republican Jefferson argues it is the duty of America to aid them in their noble cause. It's Federalist versus Republican and it might be nice to have Washington on your side. Ultimately, Washington chose Federalist and in 1796, announced his intention to retire (to sit under his own vine and fig tree) after two terms in office. 
John Adams ran for the office of president and won by a close margin to Jefferson who automatically became vice president. Little did President John Adams know, the members of his cabinet were secretly communicating with Alexander Hamilton for advice. Hamilton is now a lawyer in private practice in New York City. When Adams organized an army, just in case France or another disgruntled nation tried to attack them, he requested George Washington to come out of retirement to serve as the leader. Washington agreed, but only if Alexander Hamilton be named his second-in-command. Adams was not pleased.
President Adams became even more irate when he discovered members of his cabinet had been taking orders from Alexander Hamilton since his first day in office. Paranoid the Federalists were plotting to take over the country, or worse, that Alexander Hamilton was going to to use his army to make himself a dictator, he got into a shouting match with Hamilton after firing two of Hamilton's friends from his cabinet. Hamilton retaliated by penning a vitriolic pamphlet attacking John Adams' character and conduct (Sit down, John, you fat...).
Another election year, 1800, came around and for the first time in our young nation's history, it was a tie! Vice President Thomas Jefferson and Senator Aaron Burr (sir) both received 73 electoral votes. Alexander Hamilton wrote a series of letters to prominent members of the Federalist party discouraging them in their support of Burr, whom Hamilton did not trust. As a result, Jefferson was declared president.
Jefferson won re-election in 1804. Former Vice President Aaron Burr, dropped from the Republican ticket in early 1804, had killed Alexander Hamilton in a controversial duel in New Jersey.
Over in Europe, Napoleon is on the rise, while the fragile United States struggles to maintain some trading and political power overseas. What will they do if another war breaks out in, say, 1812? 

Chapter 1
June 1807

Presumably, the last book left off in 1788. As we pick up the story here, nineteen years have passed.
Out in the Atlantic, just off the Virginia coast, a British warship overtakes an American merchant vessel and wounds it under pretense of searching for British deserters. A third ship, having witnessed the unfair act, approach after the British ship leaves. This ship just happens to be captained by one Adam Dunson, Boston Merchantman for Dunson and Weems (D&W) Shipping. He offers aid.

Chapter 2
October 1807

Many pages of narration as Matthew Dunson has just arrived in newly built Washington DC thanks to Alexander Hamilton, "Slender, sharp-faced, self confident to the point of occasional cockiness" thanks to his success with the Federalist papers which inspired newly elected President George Washington to appoint him Secretary of the Treasury. According to the new Constitution "the seat of government is to be established on a parcel of land...not exceeding ten miles square" exactly WHERE that land is to be was not specified. And so the arguments began. Congress is deadlocked on the different proposals of where the ten mile plot of land should be. Hamilton has some ideas which also involve consolidating state and national debt and issuing securities to promote economic growth. But Congress hates his plan.
A chance meeting with secretary of state Thomas Jefferson in the street changed all that. After walking Jefferson up and down the cobblestone paved streets around President Washington's house, bemoaning the dissolution of their beloved United States unless his financial plan which includes the ten mile plot to be on the Potomac River, is used.
Jefferson comes up with a great idea, he will host a dinner with both Madison and Hamilton along with other prominent political celebrities (Aaron Burr is not on the guest list) where differences can be resolved and suffering friendships restored. It works. No one else was in the room where it happened but when the dinner adjourns, it is all settled. Hamilton's plan will be used which includes parcels of land in both Virginia and Maryland. Land titles are later obtained, and Congress will move to its new residence in 1800.
Anyway, seven years later and Matthew is here in DC to meet with newly elected president James Madison who reflects on all the past events that led to the creation of the United States Of America but now there's new trouble as British continue to harass America, especially the commercial shipping. Matthew knocks and is admitted.
Matthew's little son, John, is now all grown-up and working for the family business as a navigator and guess who he married? Laura! Eli Stroud's little daughter. They had a son, James. Eli's about fifty-five years old now, living the dream in Ohio and busy with local politics. As a token representative for the Indian population, Madison and Matthew agree he would make a good team player to fight the British, if it comes to that. Caleb is also married with four kids. Madison wonders if Caleb would be up for another "Batman" adventure? Matthew will ask.

Chapter 3
May 1808

New Orleans. Several pages into this chapter, it becomes obvious that Markus E. Hickman, a businessman from Boston is really Caleb Dunson in disguise, looking to purchase black male slaves on the underground "black market" not that it's illegal to make these kinds of trades in The Big Easy but the business he wants to use is very seedy, run by two brothers, named Laffitte, who lead the New Orleans mafia. Everyone both loves, hates and fears them as they swindle, trade in evil human trafficking, yet bring millions of dollars in revenue to the city.
"Hickman" is followed back to his hotel where he apprehends the robbers in the process of raiding his room and stealing his money; that's how we know it's Caleb.
The Governor (who is NOT Andrew Jackson but William Clairborn) is at his wits end in how to get the upper hand on all this corruption. "Hickman" met with him too today. Hickman returns to Boston and the Dunson & Weems (D&W) shipping office to (Finally!) reveal himself. It's pretty rough down there in New Orleans, he reports, but he found out what they needed to know about the two notorious brothers and their slave trade. He's going home now to Barbara and the kids.

Chapter 4
We catch up with Eli traveling from his home in Ohio territory to meet with famous Indian chief, Tecumseh, and his brother "The Prophet," both rumored to side with British if war returns to the land. It's also rumored the British will arm the natives just to add more men to their side. Eli needs to know if this is true. Yes, it is true. No hard feelings but these people feel this is their land and they will fight all white men to keep it.

Chapter 5
March 1809

A ship docks at a port in Maine. (For any Disney Pete's Dragon fans, the 1977 version, there really IS a Passamaquoddy in Maine which is named after the bay) The ship's captain learns he has a wanted man on his crew, one Robert Dulcey who killed a man after he looked the wrong way at Dulcey's fiancé, he's kinda sensitive. Dulcey is also a Harvard graduate navigator.
We shift to Dulcey's POV in the seaside town's freight office who realizes there's some suspicious barrels and crates about to be transported on this and other ships, according to his paperwork. He decides to do some investigating. Is Dulcey really Caleb Dunson in "Batman mode" again? Dulcey quietly finishes his work one night at the office and takes off without telling anybody where's he's going. He must get to the other port and find out what's really in the holds of those other ships. He learns it's gunpowder and other explosives going North to British buyers in Canada.
At the D&W shipping office in Boston, Dulcey is really John Dunson (not Caleb) son of Matthew. The British are preparing for war. John has the list of names. The man he was impersonating was hanged for his murder crime last month. That's just one reason why John left without telling anybody. Otherwise, he's fine. Mission accomplished.

Chapter 6
December 1809

Washington DC. Matthew and his son, John, are here to meet with President James Madison. John and Laura even named their son after this good man who is deeply concerned about the necessity of a physical war with England as a result of the "commercial war" involving free international trade and a lot of messy embargoes. Both Britain and France refuse to do business with the new country on the block. If war comes, America and it's citizens will not be caught unprepared. Matthew and John promise to do all they can to help. Madison asks them for more details about the Indian uprisings in the Northwest territories. The men confirm this. According to their friend, Eli, it's all true. Madison thanks them for their help and advice.

Chapter 7

Back in Boston, it's a Dunson family dinner at Matthew's home and the gang's all here! Except the Weems family, Billy is the only one, since he married in (and up). Matthew and Kathleen still have three children-John, his wife Laura and their kids while the twins, Louise and Linda are both young single adults around age 21, not yet married, but nobody's worried.
Adam (if he has a wife she's not mentioned here) and Caleb with Barbara are also here but Adam's twin sister Prissy is absent from the narrative. We must assume she married and moved away to start her own family. Billy and Brigitte are still childless.
Dinner adjourned, the family moves to the library of the large mansion home (it's still the same Thorpe home inherited from Kathleen) while the twin girls take the little kids into another room to read Bible stories so the adults can discuss current events. The possibility of an upcoming war upsets Great-Grandmother Margaret Dunson, still alive and kicking. She protests over another war, like the one that killed her beloved John. She does NOT want her grandchildren enlisting and getting killed. The men reassure Margaret and their women to have faith. Nobody's fired the first shot yet.

Chapter 8
May 1811

The captain of a ship receives orders to find any British ships threatening their waterways and fight back. John Dunson is the navigator. He takes them to a British Man-o-war and everyone takes their battle stations to harass the ship into retreat. They won, but does this mean a declaration of war?

Chapter 9
October 1811

Eli Stroud has moved west again and is living somewhere in Indiana Territory. He lives alone, hunting and gathering in the forest in the Indian way. He's also annoyed by all these new settlers moving in around him. A friend who lives nearby comes for dinner and a visit. Eli is leaving early tomorrow to meet with both Indians and white American leaders about the trouble brewing. The man leaves with his supplies to head back to his wife and kids.
Eli travels three days north until he reaches a larger community where many Indians have gathered. They want war and do not trust white men. Eli promises them he will go talk to a white leader if they will postpone their warpath. They agree and Eli makes haste to reach the other camp later that afternoon. He gives the governor a stern talking to: if you attack those Indians everything will explode. Eli offers to escort these white leaders back to the Indian camp for peace talks which don't solve anything. This Indian chief (not Tecumseh) will fight to keep the land of his people while the Governor is adamant if they don't shove off, they will be forced.
After the meeting breaks up, Eli sneaks back to find the Indians holding their own war council with plans to attack the white men tonight.
Eli hightails it over to the Governor's camp with an interesting story. The chief told his braves the American bullets won't harm them. When the Indians attack, they are astonished to discover their leader lied to them, they are NOT immune to American bullets. After seeing their front lines drop, the rest turn and run. After the smoke clears, Eli finds the Governor. Their side suffered losses too while the entire Indian camp has left the area. They won't bother these people any more. This will go down in history as the Battle of Tippecanoe. 
To Eli's disgust, the Governor takes all the credit. Both send separate reports to President Madison about the incident.

Chapter 10
June 1812

President James Madison spends this entire chapter sitting alone in his "oval office" at the Executive Mansion, ruminating and reminiscing on all past events that led up to this big decision which only the president has the power to make. The United States will, for the second time in history, declare war on England. He pens a message to Congress, since no presidential declaration of war has any effect without legislative support.

Chapter 11

In Boston, the Dunson family has gathered again (where for the first and last time in the narrative we learn the name of Adam's wife-Charlotte!) to react to the breaking news that America is at war with England. Margaret is concerned but Matthew convinces her to give her blessing. If her sons and grandsons must fight, they are doing it for the right reasons, we promise!

Chapter 12
July 1812

For some reason, Matthew and Billy are the only two men in Washington DC (visiting from Boston, mind you) that President James Madison trusts to ask for advice in how to proceed in a conflict engagement with Great Britain in Canada. They advise land invasion since the current US Navy is kinda nonexistent while the British have quite a few thousand battleships all armed and ready for battle.

Chapter 13
The Detroit River boarders the US and Canada in Michigan territory. On one side of the river and Lake Erie are the American forts, on the Canadian side are all the English forts which includes Niagara Falls near the east shore of Lake Erie with forts on both sides. To protect their claim to the rights of navigation on these waters, American General William Hull, also the Governor of this territory, has taken command. He receives orders to march to Ohio and assemble an army, just in case America declares war. But Hull receives this news too late before packing up all his personal belongings as well all the papers and documents sent by Congress detailing the war plans for their conquest of Canada and sends it all ahead of him on a commercial schooner up the river to Fort Detroit.
The ship is taken by the British. They are amazed at the added bonus. All American battle plans just fell into their hands. Thanks, Hull!

Chapter 14
We shouldn't be too hard on General Hull, he fought bravely in the Revolutionary War and is getting on in years. Some of his men murmur against him. Unfortunately, there's no one to replace him. Fort Detroit is in poor shape and will, subsequently in a later chapter be easily taken by British. There are around 1,800 Indians in this area also, ready to take up arms and fight the Americans. Tecumseh is their leader. This isn't looking good for Hull.

Chapter 15
Somewhere out on the Atlantic, a British warship encounters an American "warship" where John Dunson just happens to be navigator. The Americans give chase and no shots are exchanged. The Americans congratulate themselves and make for the Boston harbor. John tells his father, Matthew, and Billy Weems at the office about his part in "the most remarkable chase of all time."

Chapter 16
Back at Fort Detroit, it's time to attack the British. But the enemy and especially the large and savage band of Indians overpower them and they surrender the fort. It's a long and rather boring chapter since none of our fictional characters are here.

Chapter 17
Meanwhile, in Boston, Matthew is home late but Kathleen, ever the dutiful wife, is waiting up for him with a hot meal. Both are worried because they've had no word from John out at sea and hope he hasn't been taken captive by the British.
Kathleen tells her husband the twins are out on a double date tonight enjoying a play at the local theater with two nice young men. Kathleen will continue waiting up for them, Matthew is going to bed. Kathleen follows him to the master bedroom so they can pray together before she returns to her knitting.
Out on the high seas, John is okay. He takes part in capturing (another) British warship. Like father, like son.

Chapter 18
September 1812

Eli is almost 60 years old now. At the request of President Madison, he's come to Washington to receive a special assignment. Madison wants him to travel north to upstate New York and the Canadian boarder where an important military fort is located close to Niagara Falls. Eli is to take written orders to the General stationed there instructing him to take his men, cross the boarder and attack the British fort on the other side.
Eli arrives at his destination but camp discipline is very bad. The men refuse to risk their lives in combat against the superior enemy. The general and Eli are both disgusted. Eli does what he can to help and boost morale but he's getting too old to do his "Batman" stuff anymore. The other American military leaders in this area don't communicate so the strike ends in failure. Those Americans who did follow orders and invade the British fort fought a losing battle.
Before returning to Washington, Eli wishes the men in this area luck in their hopeless cause. The General has resigned his post. Eli doesn't blame him.

Chapter 19
February 1813

In Washington DC, President Madison wants to mount a military offense in the Great Lakes region. He is pleased to learn Adam Dunson will help command one of the naval gunboats using one of D&W's own vessels, converted into a warship. The orders are issued to engage the British and take the Canadian capital of York. Adam and his men fight on Lake Ontario and win. Now the commanding General would like Adam to go over to Lake Erie and do it again. Adam consents.

Chapter 20
August 1813

In Boston, Billy opens a letter from President Madison concerned about growing Indian forces, led by Tecumseh, to join the British in defeating America. Madison requests Billy find their "Indian ambassador," Eli. Billy sets out immediately for the Great Lakes region to begin making inquires.
Narration shifts to Adam who proves himself a navel war hero once again by sailing his ship into the heat of battle and emerging victorious. Adam is commended back at command headquarters by his superior officer which he accepts with humble and modest thanks.

Chapter 21

The British have their hands full trying to keep thousands of Indians, their women and children, fed and happy but there isn't enough food and they are grumbling. This second war with America isn't going so well, wither. A great big meeting is held. Tecumseh stands and voices the discontent of his people. This unnerves the British who are accused of being lazy pigs who can't be trusted and should be killed. The British are planning to abandon their cause and retreat.
Near the mouth of the river that empties into Lake Erie, Billy finds Adam on his ship but no word of Eli.
Back on land, Eli surprises Billy. They talk and Eli promises he will talk to Tecumseh (though it seems to me the Indians are doing fine on their own with the rumors of them being fed up with the British and planning to turn against them).

Chapter 22
September 1813

Eli meets with Tecumseh in his lodge but it's a hopeless cause for this future minority race. Madison's only concern is that American soldiers not fight the Indians but Tecumseh makes no promises, they will fight any white man trying to take their land.
Billy is waiting back at camp with a fire and dinner ready. Eli repeats the conversation he just had with the powerful Indian chief.
Over in another camp, American officers make plans to engage the British. Billy and Eli arrive so Eli can make his report about the meeting with Tecumseh he just told Billy about. Eli also knows exactly where the British are stationed and how many. Billy and Eli join in the attack.
Without any warning, Eli is riding his horse in hot pursuit of a retreating British army leader when he is shot and killed. This battle will go down in history as The Battle of Moraviantown.
Eli dies in Billy's arms.
Tecumseh died in this battle also which America won. It was a very quick skirmish. Over in a matter of minutes.
Billy takes the body of his friend to Vermont. He will bury Eli next to his beloved wife, Mary.

Chapter 23
August 1814

So, here we are back in Boston where life goes on. (What?! No send off for Eli? He's been a major character since Volume 2. No reaction at all from ANY of his family members? Ron Carter dropped the ball on this one.) As the date implies, it is one year later and it's business as usual at D&W shipping, until the mail arrives. Insurance rates have just skyrocketed due to the war with England. The men wonder how much longer American can afford to keep this war going. They also wonder how long THEY can keep going, afford to stay in business because no one will be able to pay these new fees.
400 miles south, in Washington DC, President Madison is in a war conference with his advisers. The British are planning another attack, probably on their new national capital, maybe even the White House.
Dolly Madison has fled the Executive Mansion in a story that will go down in history as she saved many important papers and artifacts, including a large portrait of George Washington before the enemy burned the city. Husband and First Lady are reunited outside the DC area, safe. Madison meets with a skeleton cabinet to assess the damages. A great storm also did much to help stall the British from doing further damage. They will regroup, reconvene as a government and move forward.

Chapter 24
September 1814

As further proof this really is the worst written volume of the entire series, the author could not have made such an important historical event as the creation of our national anthem more BORING!
Somewhere in the Chesapeake Bay, the British attack and lay siege to Fort McHenry in the heaviest navel battle in history.
None of our fictional characters are involved. A young lawyer from Georgetown named Francis Scott Key has arrived with a few others to renegotiate the release of American prisoners with England. The British navel captain agrees to the terms but because they're on the eve of their planned military strike, he fears the Americans will be sent away with too much info and holds them in custody for a few days.
In the city, American forces mobilize in preparation for the attack. Civilians also help defend the city. Church is dismissed today (Sunday) and the assault commences.
On the ship, up all night, (who could sleep in all this ruckus?) Key awakes, anxious for news. Has the fort fallen? No. A HUGE American flag flutters above the area in the early morning breeze.
Tears fill the eyes of Francis Scott Key as he pens his feelings on the back of an envelope, the only paper he has on his person at present.
These words will go down in history as "The Star Spangled Banner."

Chapter 25
December 1814

In Boston, Caleb has been called up by President Madison (again) to travel to New Orleans. (Seven years have passed, subsequently, since Chapter 3) He will resume the character he played, acting as fake intermediary between Andrew Jackson (yes THAT Andrew Jackson) the new governor and those famous bad-boy brothers, notorious for the underground crime ring and slave trafficking business they run. Before he leaves, Caleb stops by to visit his aging mother, Margaret, living with Billy and Brigitte who DID have children but they are all grown and gone now. Caleb notes his big sister's appearance, despite wrinkles around her hazel eyes and graying auburn hair, middle age agrees with her.
Despite the seven year lapse, everyone and I mean everyone from the black woman who runs the boardinghouse Caleb stayed in last time to Lafitte himself, remembers him!
Caleb explains last time he came under false pretenses. This time he means business. He tells them straight out, he was sent by the President who wants all the help he can get in driving the British out of New Orleans.
Jackson and the Laffittes agree to compromise. If the brothers are guaranteed a full pardon for all their past illegal activity, they will use their influence and "persuade" the British to leave town. Caleb observes all this and is invited to come along and help them in their plan which will go down in history as "The Battle of New Orleans" where they succeed. Andrew Jackson is so impressed, he signs everything the brothers asked for, granting their every request.
Caleb didn't really do much, but Jackson thanks him too.
A funny note in history: when the British surrendered and the Treaty of Ghent was signed in Belgium, nobody in New Orleans knew about it yet so this battle took place AFTER the war was over but BEFORE the terms of the treaty became binding since President Madison didn't add his signature until several months later.

Chapter 26
February 1815

Fresh off the boat from New Orleans, Caleb is unprepared for the news that his mother, Margaret, is on her death bed. She seemed fine, albeit frail, when he last saw her. She's also been asking for him. She takes his hand. Her last dying wish is that Caleb come back to God so they can all be one eternal family, like John foresaw on his deathbed (see Volume 1).
Caleb cries and confesses he's been working on just that. (He prayed with his wife in the last chapter too, before he left, something he's never done before) He truly wants to reconcile himself with God so he, Barbara and the children will always be part of the Dunson family.
Margaret sighs John's name and dies peacefully. Other members of the family are gathered around the bed too, witnesses to this touching scene. Matthew and Kathleen, Brigitte and Billy, Adam (no Charlotte) John and Laura and Barbara's here to say goodbye to an elect lady whose posterity will rise up and call her blessed. (This book needs a family chart like Gerald Lund's Work and the Glory series.)
And just like that it's...

THE END