by Brian S. Barrett (Author)
There's probably a hundred books written about Revolutionary War battles at Saratoga but this is the only one that gives a detailed account of a select group of militiamen who took part in these battles. In "Burgoyne's Nemesis: New England Militia" author and historian Brian S. Barrett teased out new details from correspondence, military records and personal accounts to construct a well-documented and untold story about militia activities that occurred in upstate New York and Vermont. This book confirms the importance of militia reinforcements that came from Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire to stop an invasion. The militia reinforcement was comprised of thousands of ordinary farmers and tradesmen who were transformed into a formidable component of the Northern Continental Army. It played a key role in dogging General John Burgoyne and his 8000 man army during the fall of 1777. Along with Continental Soldiers, this so-called rabble of militiamen helped subdue British Regulars, Canadians, Indians and Hessians in less than two months. It was a turning point in the American Revolution. Anyone interested in United States history and the struggle to win independence will benefit from reading this book.