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Sam Houston
The great misfortune is that a notion obtains with those in power that the world, or the people, require more governing than is necessary. ...
Contradictory, determined, drunken, flamboyant, impetuous, outspoken, stubborn, volatile, womanizing, these are all words used at one time or another to describe Samuel Houston. His name was the first word heard when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, “Houston …The Eagle has landed” (Armstrong 1969). Historian Liz Carpenter is quoted as saying “Houston was the sum of all heroes of Greece and Rome and most certainly, of Texas” (qtd. ... Houston dueled in the streets of Washington DC, wrote the Declaration of Independence for Texas, led a rag tag army to a victory at San Jacinto, and died in exile after refusing to pledge an oath to the Confederacy. ...
Sam Houston was born March 2, 1793 at the Timber Ridge Plantation in Rockbridge County, Virginia to Major Samuel & Elizabeth Houston. ... In September of 1896, Major Samuel Houston died suddenly while on military duty. ...
Young Sam Houston had no more than 6 months of formal education. ... His older brothers pushed him to work on family farm and in the family store, but Sam who was described as “wild and impetuous” (qtd in Krystyniak 1) was unhappy and at the age of 16 he ran away. ... Sam lived with the Indians for 3 years, but went home on occasion to visit his mother and to purchase supplies. ... On March 24, 1813, Houston joined the Army as a private. ... Houston followed General Andrew Jackson into the Battle at Horseshoe Bend. ... General Jackson was impressed with Houston’s valor and soon became his fan and champion. Houston also greatly revered Jackson and was one of Jackson’s life long supporters and friends.
After the Treaty of 1816 was signed Houston assisted Oo-loo-te-ka and his clan in their move from Eastern Tennessee to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi. The Indians were felt that they were tricked into the treaty by the white men and a few of their own leaders, however Houston was able to convince Oo-loo-te-ka that if they moved to Indian Territory they would be rid of the white man’s interference.
In 1817 Houston was promoted to 1st lieutenant and was assigned to duty as an Indian agent. ... In February of 1818, Houston led a delegation of Cherokees to Washington D. ... Houston and Calhoun had a less than friendly exchange regarding Houston’s appearance in Indian dress. Calhoun took great offence at an Army officer being dressed like a “savage” and reprimanded Houston sternly. This insult was further punctuated when a few days later Calhoun summoned him to his office and charged Houston of conspiring with slave smugglers. ... Distressed, Houston resigned from army on March 1, 1818. Houston completed his assignment of seeing the delegation of Cherokees on their way home and resigned his position as Indian Agent. ... The prescribed course of study was 18 months long, but a determined Houston completed it and passed the Bar exam within 6 months Houston established his first law practice in late 1818.
In early 1819, Governor Joseph McMinn appointed Houston Adjutant General (with the rank of Colonel) to the Tennessee State Militia. Knowing that a respectable military title could only further his cause Houston accepted the position. He wasn’t at this position long before circumstances with the Cherokee Indians prompted him to request Andrew Jackson’s assistance, by requesting that Secretary of War Calhoun appoint Houston as Agent to the Indian Territory. Calhoun agreed with Jackson’s request and made the appointment but by the time he was notified Houston declined it.
Houston’s political career when Andrew Jackson nominated Houston for the position of Attorney General of Tennessee in the Nashville District. ... His achievement as prosecuting attorney was indisputable, but by 1821, Houston had decided to resign and return to private practice where he gained a reputation as a very successful trial lawyer.
In October of 1821, the officers of the state militia elected Houston to the position of major general. In 1823 Houston was busy assisting Andrew Jackson in his bid for the presidency the following year. Jackson in turn gave his approval and Houston was nominated for a seat in the US House of Representatives. ...
Sam Houston joined Cumberland Masonic Lodge on April 19 and reportedly joined and demitted several lodges over his life time. ...
In 1826 Houston was challenged to a duel with General William White. ... Houston, favoring a different candidate made remarks to President Adams and the House of Representatives regarding the moral character of Erwin. White took exception to this and called Houston to retract his comments or be forced to duel. Houston refused to retract his statement and the two men dueled several days later in a pasture on the state line of Kentucky. White missed his target and Houston shot White in the groin. ...
In 1827, Houston was elected Governor of Tennessee. He was quickly becoming an ambitious politician and it appeared that the presidency would be a future endeavor for Houston. ...
Marriage had been on Houston’s mind for some time. ... On January 30th Houston announced his bid for reelection. Eleven weeks after their marriage on April 9th, Eliza returned to her parent’s home declaring her marriage to Houston over.
Rumors regarding their break up quickly spread but the only public comment Houston ever made was to declare that Eliza’s honor was intact and to have published in the Nashville papers “that if any wretch dares to utter a word against the purity of Mrs. Houston I will come back and write the libel in his heart’s blood” (Marquis) It is believed that the only person Houston ever confided in was his 3rd wife Margaret. According to Margaret Houston as retold by her daughter Maggie Houston Williams, Eliza Allen had been in love with another man (possibly Will Tyree) who was stricken with consumption. ... She agreed to marry Houston at her parents urging. Shortly after their marriage Houston came home one evening to find Eliza in tears, burning love letters from this other gentlemen. Houston was furious! ... With that Houston hastily wrote out his resignation as governor and is quoted as saying “Here, Madam is your position! ... Eliza was a naive young girl who had led a very sheltered life, Houston was a worldly man almost twice her age and suffered from a festering wound that Eliza found repulsive. The family was embarrassed and refused to admit that this was the reason that Eliza rejected Houston. Therefore they remained silent and allowed Houston to live under a shadow of speculation. ...
Houston was distraught and resigned his office on April 16, 1829. ... It was also at this time that Houston was reputed to have suffered a nervous break down. What ever the true events of this period were, they greatly affected Houston and he was a broken and miserable man for some time.
Approximate Word count = 5787
Approximate Pages = 23.1
(250 words per page double spaced)
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