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.
Shaun J. McLaughlin maintains history blogs on the Patriot War and on Bill Johnston, the Thousand Islands legend. A researcher, journalist and technical writer for over thirty years, with a master's degree in journalism, McLaughlin is now a semi-retired freelance writer.