Patriot War Along the New York Canada Border

by Shaun J. McLaughlin

During the Patriot War, fought between 1837-1842, hundreds of men on both sides of the New York-Canadian border took up arms to free Canada from supposed British tyranny. Infused with the Spirit of '76 and inspired by the recent Texas revolution, they fought bravely in battles, skirmishes and attacks, including November's Battle of the Windmill. Many sacrificed their lives, while others became slave laborers of the British in Tasmania. Among their leaders was Bill Johnston, a Thousand Islands smuggler, river pirate and War-of-1812 privateer, whose cunning was so feared by the British that they called out their military whenever his name made the newspapers. This book recalls the stories, triumphs and sacrifices of the brave on both sides of the border.

205 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2012

About the author

I maintain two history blogs: one on the Patriot War (www.raidersandrebels.com); and, one on William Johnston, the Thousand Islands legend (www.piratebilljohnston.com). Soon this legend will be available in book form.

I have completed a biography of "Pirate" Bill Johnston and have signed a publishing agreement with the Beacon Publishing Group. The release date is pending.

In 2012, I published two books:
- the "Patriot War Along the New York-Canada Border" (a history book)
- and "Counter Currents" (a historical novel). It received the 2013 silver medal for Historical Literature Fiction from Global Ebook Awards.

Both tell the story of the Patriot War along the St. Lawrence River in 1838.

In 2013, I published a second history book, the "Patriot War Along the Michigan Canada Border." It was a finalist in the 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the historical non-fiction category.

In December 2014, I published a sequel to Counter Currents, Dark Southern Sun.

I have begun writing a new novel, my first contemporary fiction work.

I wrote and published a series of sci-fi novelettes. I have unpublished them. I was not happy with the writing. I plan to rework the series into a single novel someday.

A researcher, journalist and technical writer for over thirty years, with a master’s degree in journalism, I live on a hobby farm in Eastern Ontario.

You can get more info at: www.raidersandrebelspress.com.

Reviews

[Ryan McDermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great local history book. Easy to read, and it was fun learning about people and events from the area I live. I also really liked that there was a brief summary of the post war lives of some of the main participants.

[Vivian Zenari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book describes American involvement in the 1837-38 rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada. I did not know many details about this rebellion, so I was glad to learn about it. The style seems journalistic more than scholarly and also seems aimed towards a children's audience. I would have liked a more scholarly or even adult-oriented approach to the topic, but I am sure those books are out there (and I will be seeking such books out). I wanted to find out more about the Hunters, the secret society that the rebels formed to support the raids and attacks on Canadian targets, and I was pleased with the information I learned on that score.

[Elijah Reinhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Details of the raids from the Patriot war along the New York - Ontario border from 1837-1838.
From the occupation of Navy Island to the historic Battle in Prescott.