Benedict Arnold's Army: The 1775 American Invasion of Canada During the Revolutionary War

People who never trained as historians write some of our best history. These people study on their own, talk with other, debate endlessly from love of the subject. A few on them have the ability to write and produce intelligent, detailed histories that are a joy to read. Arthur Lefkowitz falls into this grouping having written three other books on the Revolutionary War. Now he gives us a detailed, intelligent history of Benedict Arnold's 1775 campaign to take Quebec. I came to this book by way of "Saratoga" by John Luzader. In that campaign, the scars of the Quebec Campaign are still fresh creating a set of problems that occupy the Continental Congress, George Washington and the armies involved. My Revolutionary War history is only fair and I wanted to read more about the Campaign to capture Quebec. Very good luck brought me what has to be the best book on the subject! Many other reviewers are using the word definitive. I cannot dispute that title. It seems impossible to produce a more detailed account that will still be readable much less enjoyable. The author posses a real knowledge of the subject and the area, strengthened by working with local experts and field trips to the area. Coupled with this knowledge is a real ability to write informative, detailed but readable history. It is no mean feat when during an account of observing the fortifications at Quebec; we can take a side trip into blanket coats. The author explains how the construction of these coats and what they look like without losing the point of the story. In addition, it all makes sense and extends our understanding of the planning. The first 55 pages introduce Benedict Arnold and lay the groundwork for the invasion. Military planning always suffered from under estimations of difficulties and this is no exception. In these pages, the author lays a solid foundation by introducing the history of the major personalities, the politics of 1775 America and Canada, the military situation and the faults in the planning. The heart of the book covers one of the most difficult marches in American military history. Arnold leads about 750 men through a "howling wilderness" in early winter. This is an epic march under the worst of circumstances and represents an accomplishment of self-control and resolve. In front of the city, Arnold is in poor shape but determined to win. How the Americans are reinforced and able to attack the city is the balance of the book. The accounts of each action, incidents on the march and personal problems are all documented with footnotes. This is one book where reading the footnotes is a good idea. Instead of a footnote citing another book and page, there is real information in the almost 80 pages of footnotes. The maps of the march through northern Maine are basic but adequate. The maps of the attack and defense of Quebec are excellent. The well-placed maps keep page flipping to a minimum. A 3-page appendix on the "Trail of Arnold's Expe

Arthur S. Lefkowitz has written a thoroughly informative and detailed history about a little known part of our war for independence. The research is exhaustive and the story that is told covers all aspects of the Arnold expedition to capture Canada. As a student of this period of our nation's history I found the details fascinating but the story might be too detailed for someone not as involved with this period as I was.

I purchased this book with a "Ho hum, another book purporting to offer something new on the Arnold expedition." I was pleasantly surprised in that Lefkowitz has written probably the best complete book on the expedition's march and subsequent battle for Quebec. What was "new" was that the author's end notes were excellent, and his discussions of controversial points were most welcome. The parts focusing on Arnold were not expressly germane to a book about Arnold's Army, but they did not detract excessively. I would have wanted more on the life of the American soldiers while prisoners of the British and the details of their return, but primary sources on this part of the story are few. The author lists many references, but only about two dozen would supply probably 99 percent of the information available on the expedition. Actually, this is a story that an historian almost can get his arms around just by reading Kenneth Roberts's, "March To Quebec", at least for the journals by the expedition members. Coupling that with Justin Smith's "Arnold's March From Cambridge To Quebec", and one pretty well covers the ground. So why this volume? Well, because it brings all of the above together, weeding out the myth (like Aaron Burr's Indian Mistress) and resolving conflicts and discrepancies in source writings. A good example of this is the story by Francis Nichols who maintained that a drunken British sailor fired the cannon that killed Montgomery although Nichols was not there and evidently based his account on heresay. Another is Morgan's comment in a letter he wrote to Henry Lee of finding the second barricade undefended that was probably a fabrication in whole or in part. Another is the discussion of "Dog Lane", a name for the path Arnold used for his approach to the lower town that was apparently added in the nineteenth century. Probably very little will be added to the story through further research in future years as the vast majority of primary sources are already known (and they are very few.) Once in a while a little is added when a letter is found like that written by my Great-great-great-grandfather James Dougherty who was in Smith's company, captured at Quebec and immediately on being paroled, broke parole and joined Washington to fight on until 1783. Whether or not Lefkowitz's book will someday be considered the definitive work I leave up to future generations, but it will come close.

Benedict Arnold is viewed by most as simply a traitor to the American Revolution, but in fact he was one of the most complex and intriguing people in history. "Benedict Arnold's Army: The 1775 American Invasion of Canada During the Revolutionary War" follows the traitor's exploits before his infamous act, focusing on his invasion of Canada. He was dubbed the "American Hannibal" by his contemporaries due to his amazing exploits and acts during his less infamous time on the side of the Americans. "Benedict Arnold's Army: The 1775 American Invasion of Canada During the Revolutionary War" is highly recommended to American History shelves and anyone who would want to learn more about this enigmatic figure of American history.

Author Arthur Lefkowitz's account of Benedict Arnold's army marching through the Maine wilderness to attack the city of Quebec during the waning months of 1775 may very well be the definitive account of this expedition. For those, me included, who would not fit the definition of a historian this book may go into a little more detail than what may interest you. Nevertheless, the book will be worth your time. Many of those who accompanied Arnold on this trip included veterans of the Battle of Bunker Hill in June of 1775. Several who took part on this harrowing trip were called gentleman volunteers. Among them was a smallish man who distinguished himself well named Aaron Burr. The plan of attack was for General Philip Schuyler who was to first attack Montreal from Fort Ticonderoga while Arnold and his men traveled to Quebec through Maine. Schuyler became sick along the way and had to return, and he was replaced by General Richard Montgomery. Arnold and his men suffered on their trek by having to deal with numerous hardships such as portaging their way around numerous waterfalls, insufficient food, freezing weather, and traveling through swamps. There was some question whether Arnold would defer to Montgomery's authority when they joined forces in Quebec, but the two got along fine. With several soldiers' enlistments due to expire with the arrival of the new year and several attempts to get British Governor Guy Carleton to surrender the two generals combined their attack on Quebec on December 31st in a snowstorm. Although Montgomery was killed and Arnold took a musket ball below the knee and the effort to take Quebec failed this experience provided valuable training experience that went into winning American independence. This book is a valuable addition to Revolutionary War literature.