Book Review: The Estelusti Trail

Reviewed by Kathy L. Brown

A spirited tale of resistance against injustice

The Estelusti Trail recounts a little-known episode in the long line of injustices perpetuated by the United States governments (both federal and state) against the indigenous people of the continent as well as the enslaved population: 1835’s Second Seminole War (Florida War). Told by an Estelusti youth, Pete Horse, this is a coming of age story wrapped up in the strategies, battles, hardships, and exploits of various conflicts. 

Escaped slaves and slaves owned by the Seminole comprise the Estelusti, known by the whites as “Black Seminole.” The Seminole and the Estelusti are the primary combatants in this novel, resisting government effort to remove them from Florida into the Oklahoma Territories as well as recapture the escaped slaves among them. 

The Estelusti Trail opens within days of the opening volley of the Second Seminole War and focuses on events from December 1835 to January 1838. Pete Horse, his older brother John, leader of the Estelusti, and his friend, a female warrior named Willet are part of this raiding party, along with some Seminole chiefs. 

A series of successful actions against a series of inept American commanders mark the early days of the war, and times seem good for the Seminole and Estelusti. They are even able to assist slaves to escape and gain additional fighters, including a man who becomes a good friend to Pete, Virgil. But the massive resources of the United States, the end of the rainy season, and a smart, ruthless American commander threaten the chances they have  of being successful. 

Parallel to the story of armed conflict is Pete’s journey from boy to man. He articulates his sense of personal ethics and embraces his role as warrior and tribal leader. And while being a reliable resource for people in need and an adult in the family, he lives out his own story of finding love and partnership.

The book immerses the reader in the Florida terrain of swamps, islands, and marshy forests. The land and weather conditions are allies to the Estelusti and Seminole and function as a character in the story, not just the story setting. 

“The raiders usually timed their forays for this season, when the water would likely be low. However, this time unseasonal heavy rains had caused the banks of the Withlacoochee to overflow…constant drizzles wrapped around two roaring, tree-whipping storms. The weather had slowed Call’s column much more than our warriors, allowing hundreds more warriors to join us.”

The dialogue feels authentic, be it banter around the campfire or hard-pressed negotiations among the opposing faction leaders. Although the clever talk doesn’t always advance the scene’s conflict and drama.

There are many different characters in the story and the reader may risk conflating them, but for the most part they speak with their own voices, attitudes, and motivations. And these characters are dealing with complicated politics. The Estelusti Trail does a great job keeping the relationships and stakes clear while moving the action along at a brisk pace.

The tale is told in first person by Pete Horse, and in some ways it seems to be his story. He grows from boy to man during a period of constant upheaval and warfare. At times, he can feel like an observer in this grander story. Often his role in the war party is as a spy or to attend a negotiation with his elders, and then he faithfully reports the conversations to others. His character arc is subtle.

Of greater interest is his older brother John, who begins the story fighting for the rights and freedom of both his own people and any other enslaved people he can assist. The war wears him down, not due to the risk to himself or the hardships they endure, but rather the suffering of the weaker members of the tribe. “Now you see how it is with me and my people. Same as any man. We do not fight for gold. We do not fight for land or trees or these waters full of fish. We do not fight for a way of life. We fight for our very lives. We fight against the enslavement of our families,” said John. “What kind of man would surrender his children to that fate?” That is John’s growth arc, and it coincides with the book’s story question, “Will the Estelusti survive this? Where does this trail lead? What will that look like?” 

Readers interested in learning more about swept-under-the-rug American history will find a lot to appreciate about The Estelusti Trail. It challenges the reader to think about the rights of others and their own personal responsibility and would be a great choice for book club conversation.

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Thank you for reading Kathy L. Brown’s book review of The Estelusti Trail by Roy V. Gaston! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.