Defending the Old Dominion describes historical events in Virginia during the War of 1812, examining how Virginia's militia was organized, supplied, and financed by the Commonwealth. The book discusses the militia's unpreparedness in training, its lack of adequate ordnance and arms, and how that affected its ability to defend the state against British incursions during the war. Political activities of the Virginia legislature and the U.S. Congress are examined with special reference to how the state financed the war and its relationship with the U.S. government. The book includes the fascinating story of nearly two thousand former slaves who fled to British ships to fight in Virginia with British forces.

Stuart L. Butler is the former assistant branch chief of the Military Archives Division, National Archives and Records Administration. He retired in 1999 and currently serves on the Citizens Advisory Council for the Virginia Bicentennial of the American War of 1812 Commission. He attended Florida State University and Florida Atlantic University where he received his B.A. and M.A. in American history. He is the author of the Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812 (revised 2011), Real Patriots and Heroic Soldiers: General Joel Leftwich, and The Virginia Brigade in the War of 1812 (2008).