Abductions in the American Revolution : attempts to kidnap George Washington, Benedict Arnold and other military and civilian leaders / Christian McBurney.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McBurney, Christian M., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Washington, George, 1732-1799.

Washington, George.

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801.

Arnold, Benedict.

Political kidnapping--United States--History--18th century.

Political kidnapping.

United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Prisoners and prisons.

United States.

United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Secret service.

United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Campaigns.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (283 pages)

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2016.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"The tactic of kidnapping enemy leaders, used in the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, dates to the American Revolution. George Washington called such efforts "honorable" and supported attempts to kidnap the British commander-in-chief, Benedict Arnold and a future king of Great Britain. Washington was targeted at his Morristown headquarters by British dragoons who crossed the frozen Hudson River. New Jersey Governor William Livingston went to considerable lengths to avoid being abducted by the Loyalist raider James Moody. This book covers attempted and successful abductions of military and civilian leaders from 1775 to 1783"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

I. The fighting begins (April 1775 to June 1776)

II. The fall of New York City and New Jersey (July 1776 to March 1778)

III. The fall of Philadelphia (September 1777 to April 1778)

IV. The war in the North (1778 to 1781)

V. The war in the South (January 1780 to August 1781)

VI. British secret service operations in upstate New York and Vermont (July 1781 to June 1782)

VII. Yorktown and beyond (September 1781 to September 1783)

Appendix A: Letter from Colonel James Abeel summarizing information regarding the raid intended to capture Washington in February 1780

Appendix B: Colonel Matthias Ogden's plans for capturing Prince William Henry in New York City in March 1782.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-4766-2429-1