Preface

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The reader will be greatly assisted in following the Prelude to Glory series if the author’s overall approach is understood.

The volumes do not present the critical events of the Revolutionary War in chronological, month-by-month, year-by-year order. The reason is simple. At all times during the eight years of the conflict, the tremendous events that shaped the war and decided the final result were happening simultaneously in two, and sometimes three, different geographical areas. This being true, it became obvious that moving back and forth, from one battle front to another, would be extremely confusing.

Thus, the decision was made to follow each major event through to its conclusion, as seen through the eyes of selected characters, and then go back and pick up the thread of other great events that were happening at the same time in other places, through the eyes of characters caught up in those events.

The reader will recall that volume I, Our Sacred Honor, followed the fictional family of John Phelps Dunson from the beginning of hostilities between the British and the Americans in April 1775, through the Lexington and Concord battles, and then moved into the experiences of Matthew Dunson, John’s eldest son, who was a navigator in the sea battles that occurred later in the war. In volume II, The Times That Try Men’s Souls, Billy Weems, Matthew’s dearest friend, survived the terrible defeats suffered by the Americans around New York and the disastrous American retreat to the wintry banks of the Delaware River. In volume III, To Decide Our Destiny, Billy and his friend Eli Stroud followed General Washington back across the Delaware on Christmas night, 1776, to storm and miraculously take the town of Trenton, and then Princeton.

Volume IV, The Hand of Providence, addresses the tremendous, inspiring events of the campaign for possession of the Lake Champlain–Hudson River corridor, wherein British General John Burgoyne, with an army of eight thousand, is sent by King George III to take Fort Ticonderoga, proceed to Albany, and in conjunction with the forces of General William Howe and Colonel Barry St. Leger, cut the New England states off from the southern states, and defeat them one at a time. To oppose Burgoyne, the United States sends General Arthur St. Clair, with less than half the army commanded by General Burgoyne. The heroics of men on both sides, the battles, the unbelievable tricks, the startling performance of General Benedict Arnold, all seen through the eyes of Billy and Eli, are probably among the most gripping stories in the entire Revolution. Historians have long since included the events of the summer of 1777 in the single term, Saratoga, and it is clear that this battle changed the history of the world.

Volume V will also address the events of the summer of 1777, following General George Washington as he seeks a way to stop General William Howe on the eastern seaboard. Caleb Dunson, age sixteen, the rebellious runaway son of John Dunson, has already joined Washington’s army and is rapidly learning the brutalities of camp life and war. Mary Flint, the beautiful, plucky widow of wealthy Marcus Flint, now destitute and seeking a new life, is desperately trying to find Eli and Billy, the only two persons she can look to for help and understanding.

And, reader, be patient. Matthew and Kathleen are going to be reunited, and the wait will make it all the sweeter. Mary Flint has realized her strong feelings for Eli, feelings he shares for her. Billy has given his heart to Brigitte; however, she sees him only as a dear friend of the family. These wonderful young people are going through that painful but exciting time of finding each other and experiencing the blossoming of young love into mature love. It’s all yet to come.