The wild and suspenseful story of one of the most crucial and least known campaigns of the Revolutionary War "Vividly written... In novelistic prose, Kelly conveys the starkness of close-quarter naval warfare." -The Wall Street Journal "Few know of the valor and courage of Benedict Arnold... With such a dramatic main character, the story of the Battle of Valcour is finally seen as one of the most exciting and important of the American Revolution." -Tom Clavin author of Dodge City During the summer of 1776, a British incursion from Canada loomed. In response, citizen soldiers of the newly independent nation mounted a heroic defense. Patriots constructed a small fleet of gunboats on Lake Champlain in northern New York and confronted the Royal Navy in a desperate three-day battle near Valcour Island. Their effort surprised the arrogant British and forced the enemy to call off their invasion. Jack Kelly's Valcour is a story of people. The northern campaign of 1776 was led by the underrated general Philip Schuyler (Hamilton's father-in-law), the ambitious former British officer Horatio Gates, and the notorious Benedict Arnold. An experienced sea captain, Arnold devised a brilliant strategy that confounded his slow-witted opponents. America's independence hung in the balance during 1776. Patriots endured one defeat after another. But two events turned the tide: Washington's bold attack on Trenton and the equally audacious fight at Valcour Island. Together, they stunned the enemy and helped preserve the cause of liberty.
Autorentext
Jack Kelly
Inhalt
PART ONE
1. The Last Man
2. Superiority on the Lakes
3. The Great Warpath
4. Canada
5. Not an Army
6. Straining Every Nerve
7. Sometimes I Dream
8. Fired on an Officer
9. Life and Spirit
10. Honor May Require
11. Princes of the Wilderness
12. Setting Sail
13. Dare Cross the Lake
14. A Considerable Naval Force
15. Prepared for the Enemy
16. No Landlubbers
17. A Noble Sight
PART TWO
18. Make Ready
19. Engage
20. The Battle Was Very Hot
21. With Great Fury
22. Extreme Obscurity
23. In Shattered Condition
24. The End of the Fight
25. Want of Time
26. Zeal for the Service
27. Active, Judicious and Brave
28. The Cause of Liberty
Afterword
Appendix: The Boats
Source Notes
Bibliography