REDCOAT by Bernard Cornwell

Finished Sa 1/3/15

This is one of my books, and it reads more like a 'Young Adult' novel.
It deals with the seven month occupation of the city of Philadelphia in 1777.
Howe's plan was to go easy and the rebels and hope that they would agree to a peace. He knew that he didn't have the necessary forces to put down a revolt over so large an area. But, many on the British side felt that he was not doing enough to fight to crush the rebellion.

Sam and Nate Gilpin- Twins, privates in the British army. Nate is killed by Sargent Scammell.for desertion on the field of battle. Nate was in love with Maggie who wa married to Scammell. Sam is great with horses and content to be a Redcoat, until he too falls in love with Caroline, a rebel woman who makes her living piloting a small sailing vessel on the river.

Jonathan Beckett- young man with a clubfoot who is living with his uncle, Abel. Jonathan is a rebel and Abel is all for the British and the power of commerce. The Fox News point of view in the 18th century. Jonathan is murdered while fleeing to the north. His uncle had him placed on a ship bound for London, and Jonathan wanted to stay in America and be with his lover Caroline. After he dies, Sam and Caroline admit to their love for each other. Not as corny as it sounds, but close.

Martha Crowl is Jonathan's older sister. She has a daughter Lydia and is a rich widow with strong feelings of Liberty. She is pretty and popular with the occupation forces. She is a spy for the rebels and uses Caroline to send messages north.

Christopher Vane- a brave officer who becomes an aide to General Howe. He manages to get three wagons of ammunition to the troops when most men would have given up. Vane has a background in business and sees the war as a means to financial security. The book makes a small but important point that due to the inheritance laws (only the first son could inherit) the younger brothers really had no other choice but to join the military because at least there, they might make their marks.

As historical novels go, this is kind of weak, but not a complete disaster. But, Kenneth Roberts (OLIVER WISWELL, RABBLE IN ARMS) writing is far superior to Cornwell.




General William Howe-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Howe,_5th_Viscount_Howe

General Charles Cornwallis-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Cornwallis,_1st_Marquess_Cornwallis

General Charles Lee- he was a captured American general who enjoyed the hospitality of the British in Philadelphia. Friend of General Howe-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Lee_(general)

Lizzie Loring- Mistress of General Howe and married to another man during their affair-
http://open.salon.com/blog/snarkychaser/2012/05/17/was_elizabeth_loring_patriot_or_whore

Queen's Rangers- American loyalists who were fighting with the British-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_Rangers

Battle of Saratoga-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Saratoga

Although not developed, the novel points to George Washington's failure as a general. He really lost far more battles than he won, and if it wasn't for the French, the war for independence would have certainly been lost.