"I awoke shivering in my blankets the next morning, at the site where Rogers and the remnants of his Rangers had passed the cold terrible night, and as dawn appeared, I looked over the snow-and-ice-covered lake. I rolled up my blankets, took a drink of brandy in salute to those brave men of both sides, and then headed back towards home. The research was over; it was time to write the book." On the afternoon of March 13, 1758, in the snow-covered Adirondack Mountains near Fort Ticonderoga, the famous Captain Robert Rogers and his New England Rangers lay waiting in ambush. They never expected the punishing defeat they were about to suffer at the hands of the capable and underrated French partisan leader, Langis (Langy). This original work tells the story of the Battle on Snowshoes from a new perspective. The author, an experienced Adirondack hunting guide and a French partisan re-enactor, based this book on field experience as well as book research. Bob Bearor trekked over the sites in period clothing and equipment, made countless camps throughout the hills (even in minus-20-degree weather), searched out travel routes, and endeavored to substantiate the times and conditions described in participants' journal entries. He even relived the day of the battle exactly as recorded in Rogers' own journal. In this way, he has been able to separate fact from fiction as accurately as possible. Bearor writes knowledgeably about the weather and geographical conditions, the forts, and the eighteenth-century soldiers' weapons, equipment and provisions. He also describes events leading up to the battle and provides biographical information about the two charismatic leaders, Rogers and Langis. While accounts of Rogers' exploits are numerous, here we finally learn more about Langis, the real hero of this contest.
"The story comes alive through his personal style, careful research, and insight drawn from personal experience as a re-enactor in these hills and valleys. Bob Bearor's lively account draws our attention to Langis and his partisans. Here is the Battle on Snowshoes as you have not seen it before." Nicholas Westbrook, Director, Fort Ticonderoga.
Bob Bearor
(1997), 2007, 5.5" x 8.5", paper, index, 120 pp.
ISBN: 9780788406195
101-B0619
