This week we begin a series, Martial Matters, to discuss various soldierly aspects of the Seminole Wars.

When it came to waging war in the first half of the 19th century, the unresolved question focused on whether the American Republic better defended and its interests advanced by a standing army or by militia called forth from the several states.

The Congress established the Army and Navy, but, as for the militia, it pre-dated the Constitution and simply existed. The U.S. Constitution gave Congress power to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia. But the militia always existed, whether Congress acted or not. No authorizing legislation, similar to that used for the Army and Navy, was required.

And so the battle began as to which entity should defend the nation and the Constitution for the short and long haul. It pitted the competing interests of those who favored a standing army versus those who preferred an well-regulated militia.

In this episode, autodidact and Seminole Wars historian Jesse Marshall explains why this distinction mattered when the Federal Government ordered the U.S. Army to forcibly remove the Seminole from the Florida Territory. Militia from Florida and volunteers from the several states aided the Army in carrying out this controversial task. Which was more effective in its operations? Which fielded better marksmen? Which employed better military tactics? Which had better all-around training. Which supplied their soldiers better? We'll find out.

Courtesy image

Host Patrick Swan is a board member with the Seminole Wars Foundation. This podcast is recorded at the homestead of the Seminole Wars Foundation in Bushnell, Florida.

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