Fighting Marines

Hardy's Challenge

By: Perry Comer

Narrated by: Ben Eastman

The year is 1812 and newly commissioned First Lieutenant Thomas Hardy is ordered on patrol in the lawless region of East Florida. Spain still has claim to all of Florida, the British intend to re-take it, escaped slaves and the Seminoles want to create their own country, and plantation owners and farmers want to be annexed to the United States. Hardy and his few marines are ordered into the middle to fight bastards and renegades and stop smugglers. He has enemies and spies on all sides as he hacks, cuts, and fights his way through swamps and plantations.

Near Twelve Mile Swamp, Captain Williams and his small group of Marines are attacked by a force of 200 while escorting supplies. Captain Williams is wounded eight times, and if not for Hardy’s daring intervention, all would have perished. The Marines are surrounded and outnumbered three to one. It is up to Hardy to defend and defeat the forces arrayed against him.

History records how East Florida and West Florida became independent nations before becoming a state in the Republic of the United States. There are heroes and villains, greedy men and patriots who fought and died. The United States Marines played a pivotal role in the history of Florida and there was none so valiant as Captain John Williams.

©2019 Perry Comer (P)2021 Perry Comer