It was with great elation that I discovered the release of the new book “Fort Jesup – A History” by local historian and Many High School band director Scott Debose.
I’ve known Scott DeBose as long as I’ve known pretty much anyone, from attending church together as children to working our way through all three Many schools. We, along with a few other classmates, shared an extreme love of history. Our paths changed after school, as he pursued an actual history degree while I floundered around a bit before discovering a love of journalism, and I couldn’t have been happier to finally receive a copy of his book, which he began researching in 1995 after volunteering at the park, according to the introduction of the work. Needless to say, I have zero doubts every piece of information in this book is factual and well-researched.
The book itself is a short but fact-filled 129 pages and fast readers could take out its length in an afternoon. However, I recommend taking a little longer than that and really spending time with its content. As an important piece of local history that honestly doesn’t have a lot of detailed information published, there is much to take in and learn.
The first chapter in the history of this often- forgotten gem of American expansion takes on the neutral strip or “No Man’s Land” that was created when the United States and Spain could not decide on where their international border was located. For years the area was known for its lack of policing, which drew numerous outlaw types to the area. Chapters then meander through important points in the fort’s history such as its construction, expansion, and eventually its role in the Texas Revolution and Mexican-American War. Later chapters cover the site’s eventual abandonment as the American frontier moved ever westward. The final chapter details Ft. Jesup’s status during the Civil War and World War II before becoming a National Hisbe toric Landmark.
Although lots of history books can be stuffy and slow-moving, such is not the case here. Although packed with plenty of highly researched information, the book also becomes quite personable and human when the letters and writings of those stationed at Cantonment Jesup are cited at length. One of my favorites of those stories happened quite early in the book when mischievous Private Charles Martin Gray devised a plan to smuggle a gallon of whiskey into the outpost, which was still heavily under construction. His plan succeeded at first, as he made it through the guard post. However, when he and some fellow soldiers got a little bit more than slightly inebriated, they gained the attention of future president and Ft. Jesup commander Zachary Taylor who quickly unraveled the scheme and who was behind it. These stories interspersed with the broader history of the park humanize many of the men who served at that time.
It was surprising to find out how some of the important names of American history passed through the fort. Locally, we all know that future president Zachary Taylor was head of the cantonment before beginning his political career and that the town of Many was named after Col. James B. Many. Names that surprised me as passing through were Jim Bowie and William Travis, both of whom were instrumental in the history of Texas via the Alamo. Even after the fort’s closure, it was to be occupied by Gen. George S. Patton during the Louisiana Maneuvers in preparation for entry in World War II.
Initially, I felt the only drawback is the book not having an index for quick reference, but that soon became a non-issue as when writing this review, I realized the chapters were so concise that the information I needed to reference was quickly available.
Overall, this book is a must-have for local readers and lovers of history. The site’s understated history is brought to light for the first time and the author’s dedication to and love of both his home parish and beloved fort shines through.
Those interested in obtaining a copy, they can contact the author himself or purchase it from the usual online booksellers. There are two upcoming local events that will feature the book and author, the first being at the Sabine Parish Library on December 13 at 6 p.m. The second will be at Many City Hall on December 17 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.