“Rabble in Arms”
“A rabble in arms, flushed with success and insolence.”
–General Burgoyne to Lord Rockfort describing American troops before Boston.
When we were living in New England some years ago, one day I visited a favorite used book store. As I was talking books and history with the husband of the store owner, when he asked if I’d read Kenneth Roberts. I said, “No,” and he exclaimed, “You’ve never read Rabble in Arms!” Again, I replied, no, but with the anticipation that all bibliophiles know when they realize they are about to be given a new author to read.
Kenneth Roberts opens Rabble in Arms with the above words of General Burgoyne and finishes with the Second Battle of Saratoga in which Burgoyne is defeated by the “rabble” he had so derisively described. The story begins in early 1776, and follows the American northern army during the retreat from Canada through the building of the first American Navy and the valiant delay of the British on Lake Champlain in the Battle of Valcour Island, to the turning point of the Revolutionary War: the Battles of Saratoga in 1777.
The story of the campaigns to stop Carleton and Burgoyne as they moved south is a story of perseverance when circumstances were grim and the odds offered no hope. It is a story of a frequently incompetent Congress that directed and interfered in matters with little understanding as it promoted and rewarded those who should have been ignored or disgraced. It is a story of petty jealousies and revenge among men who used their positions of authority in self-serving efforts and protection. It is also a story of a few leaders who sacrificially held to their course and inspired men to stand with them. It is a story to read in hard and difficult times.
“…I turned to see where the British were. The Inflexible was coming into the wind, preparatory to tacking, far out beyond the headland. She fell off slowly on the other tack,
working her guns with grim persistence. The shot splashed astern of the beached vessels. All of them were burning, the smoke and flames rolling and crackling from cabins and hatches. At their mast-heads flew our red and white flags, each with its rattlesnake and the words “Don’t Tread On Me.”
There was satisfaction in the knowledge that in three days of fighting, the British hadn’t been able to make us haul them down. And there was something in the sight of them that seemed to half strangle me. I think the scores who lay behind such shelters as the beach afforded, waiting for the fire to take those flags, must have felt as I did; for when Arnold, standing alone in the bow of the Congress to watch the progress of the flames, turned and stepped up on the bulwarks, the men burst into a shrill and quavering cheer that sounded as choked as my throat felt.”
Kenneth Roberts was a Down Easter, who was born in Kennebunk, Maine, and his books reflect the seaport heritage of Maine. At times you may disagree with the shades of his bias, but he was known for his historical accuracy and his books provide entrance into the early days of our Republic. In 1957, he was awarded a Pulitzer Prize: Special Awards and Citations, for his historical novels : “…which have long contributed to the creation of greater interest in our early American history.”
Other Roberts books I’ve enjoyed:
Arundel (1929) – The American Revolution through the Battle of Quebec The Lively Lady (1931) – War of 1812 Rabble in Arms (1933) – Sequel to Arundel; the American Revolution through the Battles of Saratoga Captain Caution (1934) – War of 1812 Northwest Passage (1937) – French and Indian War and the Carver expedition Oliver Wiswell (1940) – The American Revolution from a Loyalist’s perspective Lydia Bailey (1947) – The Haitian Revolution and the First Barbary War
Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.
John Adams1765 – A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law
Crossposted to J’s Cafe Nette and RedState Member Diaries.
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H/T: Navy Jack: NavyJack.info.; Wikipedia; Who’s who of Pulitzer Prize winners, Elizabeth A. Brennan, Elizabeth C. Clarage, (571); Patriot Post, Founders Quote Data Base.
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See what I mean MD !!!
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Wow, what an incredibly inspiring thread to turn one’s computer on to!
INC, you’re going to send me to the bookstore looking for Kenneth Roberts!
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Jan, you may have to check out the library or a used book store. I think he died in 1957.
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Good stuff!
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I’ve been working on this post for quite a while. I had the idea a long time ago, but I was trying to finish rereading the book.
The main reason I wanted to post it was because of the incredible hardship that was undergone by soldiers and citizens in the founding of our Republic. A historical novel is the best way I know of to really take you there are realize the hunger, disease, loss of property and loss of life, as well as the frustration and despair that was experienced.
You realize the difference that just a small number of leaders make when they stand firm and look beyond their own self-interests to sacrificial service. You also begin to really see a Providential hand in deliverance and sustenance of our country.
What we are going through at the moment is insignificant in comparison. Remember that.
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Thanks, MDefl, and welcome!
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INC – When I have the time I’ll do both. As a kid I used to indulge myself in historical novels — they were my favorite. But, as I got older my interests altered and now I read mostly psychological/medical non-fiction. But, this may get me back to an earlier past time.
Yes, people have suffered and stood their ground in order to make this country withstand all the sieges to undo that it has. People, though, either forget or, quite frankly, were never aware in the first place the human ingredients of sacrifice, tenacity, and courage that have gone into creating and sustaining this country for the last 233 years.
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Looks like I’ll be adding more books on my list of books I’m going to read.
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Democrats say the Gang of Six negotiations are all but dead and they are ready to move ahead with only Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) when the Finance Committee hits a deadline at the end of next week.
The Hill
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These video clips demonstrate current-day ‘Rabble in Arms’ attitudes!
Protester to Mark Warner: Which part of the Constitution says you get to take over health care? Hot Air video archive
H/T Hotair
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“A rabble in arms, flushed with success and insolence.”
Yeah and he was sacked forthwith and send home by Parliment. Never commanded again either as I recall.
I have read ‘French and Indian War’ by this author eons ago.
Another great post, INC.
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Thanks, Dr. D.
I thought the story of the siege of Ninety-Six in Oliver Wiswell was especially memorable.
The two novels of the War of 1812 and Lydia Bailey introduce you to seafaring New England. I had to get out a guide to ship’s rigging!
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Jan,
You might try here. Via Libri is my number one source.
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Jan, we’re the new “Rabble” don’t you know!
Pelosi, et al., said so!
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Hi all, been lurking here at BJG a while and I like what I see.
I read “Rabble in Arms” for the first time in 4th grade, and although I probably didn’t understand everything quite as well then(though I was a little history buff), I remember it was very inspirational.
I really do need to read the whole Kenneth Roberts collection, but the reading list is already so long..
Anyways thanks for the good stuff here keep it up
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Welcome, Aaron!
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Hi, Aaron and welcome to BJG!
I read Gone With The Wind in 4th grade and I know I didn’t understand everything!
If you haven’t read the others, Arundel and the 1812 novels are fairly short. Oliver Wiswell is huge. The others are probably the usual length of a novel.
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Thanks for the welcome!
I know I started Arundel, not sure if I finished it but it was long enough ago that I don’t remember it well and I just need to start over.
Its been a productive reading summer though class starts again next week and the reading will slow. Just finishing up Atlas Shrugged for the first time, just read Patriots, and started The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.
Scary but I think I’m turning into a Libertarian
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I need to read that still!
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INC as always an excellent post..
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Thanks, Judy!