Ungentlemanly Acts

The Army's Notorious Incest Trial

Nonfiction, History, Americas, United States, 19th Century, Military
Cover of the book Ungentlemanly Acts by Louise Barnett, Farrar, Straus and Giroux
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Louise Barnett ISBN: 9781466805996
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication: April 15, 2001
Imprint: Hill and Wang Language: English
Author: Louise Barnett
ISBN: 9781466805996
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication: April 15, 2001
Imprint: Hill and Wang
Language: English

The shocking story behind the U.S. Army's longest court-martial-full of sex, intrigue, and betrayal.

In April 1879, on a remote military base in west Texas, a decorated army officer of dubious moral reputation faced a court-martial. The trial involved shocking issues-of sex and seduction, incest and abduction. The highest figures in the United States Army got involved, and General William Tecumseh Sherman himself made it his personal mission to see that Captain Andrew Geddes was punished for his alleged crime.
But just what had Geddes done? He had spoken out about an "unspeakable" act-he had accused a fellow officer, Louis Orleman, of incest with his teenage daughter, Lillie. The army quickly charged not Orleman but Geddes with "conduct unbecoming a gentleman," for his accusation had come about only because Orleman was at the same time preparing to charge that Geddes himself had attempted the seduction and abduction of the same young lady. Which man was the villain and which the savior?
Louise Barnett's compelling examination of the Geddes drama is at once a suspenseful narrative of a very important trial and a study of prevailing attitudes toward sexuality, parental discipline, the army, and the appropriate division between public and private life. It will enrich any reader's understanding of the tumultuous post-Civil War period, when the United States was striving to define its moral codes anew.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The shocking story behind the U.S. Army's longest court-martial-full of sex, intrigue, and betrayal.

In April 1879, on a remote military base in west Texas, a decorated army officer of dubious moral reputation faced a court-martial. The trial involved shocking issues-of sex and seduction, incest and abduction. The highest figures in the United States Army got involved, and General William Tecumseh Sherman himself made it his personal mission to see that Captain Andrew Geddes was punished for his alleged crime.
But just what had Geddes done? He had spoken out about an "unspeakable" act-he had accused a fellow officer, Louis Orleman, of incest with his teenage daughter, Lillie. The army quickly charged not Orleman but Geddes with "conduct unbecoming a gentleman," for his accusation had come about only because Orleman was at the same time preparing to charge that Geddes himself had attempted the seduction and abduction of the same young lady. Which man was the villain and which the savior?
Louise Barnett's compelling examination of the Geddes drama is at once a suspenseful narrative of a very important trial and a study of prevailing attitudes toward sexuality, parental discipline, the army, and the appropriate division between public and private life. It will enrich any reader's understanding of the tumultuous post-Civil War period, when the United States was striving to define its moral codes anew.

More books from Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Cover of the book Andorra by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book Goody Hall by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book Hack Attack by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book Camp Austen by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book Kat Wolfe Investigates by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book The Mighty Franks by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book The Notebooks of Don Rigoberto by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book Leo Thorsness by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book The Bradshaw Variations by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book A Fort of Nine Towers by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book Adventures on the Wine Route by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book The Secret of Santa Vittoria by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book Troto and the Trucks by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book Politicking by Louise Barnett
Cover of the book The Russian Job by Louise Barnett
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy