To Distress the French and Their Allies: Rogers’ Rangers, 1755-1763 (Black Dome Press, 2023) is the first volume in a new “Rangers of the French and Indian, Cherokee, and Pontiac’s War” series by Black Dome Press, that is expected to document for the first time the histories of all ranger units, from each of the colonies, that served in the French & Indian War and after.
Volume I begins with the most famous ranger unit of all ― Robert Rogers’ Rangers, which served in the major campaigns in New York and Canada, and then in the Caribbean, and continued to fight in the Cherokee and Pontiac’s Wars.
Meticulously researched using diaries, journals, period newspapers, military archives and other primary sources, this book tells the story of America’s first special forces through the eyes of those who were there.
It is the fullest account to date of the improvised, volunteer military units under the overall command of New Hampshire frontiersman Robert Rogers who scouted the northeastern American forests in all seasons and in any weather and fought an enemy that were masters of irregular wilderness warfare.
The famous Battles on Snowshoes are recounted in detail, as are the portage of the whaleboats over the mountains between Lake George and Lake Champlain, and the tragic, marathon ordeal of the mission to and from Canada to destroy the Abenaki village of St. Francis.
Also described are many of the lesser-known exploits of Rogers and his Rangers during the Seven Years War and its aftermath ― the perilous winter journey – into the Great Lakes to accept the surrender of French forts and outposts on the western fringe of the French empire in America, battles against the Cherokee in the Carolinas, the storming of French citadels in the Caribbean, and during Pontiac’s Rebellion.
Using primary sources from both sides of the conflicts including some never-before-published material, author Tim J. Todish provides a balanced and well-rounded history of this fighting force that has been cloaked in legend for over 250 years and whose methods are still studied today by U.S. Army Rangers and other special forces.
The book features 140 illustrations such as maps, drawings, paintings and photographs, and including 60 paintings and drawings by Gary S. Zaboly.
Tim J. Todish is as an independent historical writer and consultant, specializing in the French and Indian War and the Alamo. He provided background information and worked as an extra in the 1992 movie The Last of the Mohicans and also served as the technical advisor and appeared as an extra in the award-winning History Channel documentary Frontier: Legends of the Old Northwest.
Todish is a staff writer and regular contributor to Muzzleloader magazine, has written articles for other historical publications, and frequently gives presentations to historical and school groups. He is a cofounder and past commander of Jaeger’s Battalion, Rogers’ Rangers, a French and Indian War reenactment group.
His previous books include: A “Most Troublesome Situation”: The British Military and the Pontiac Indian Uprising of 1763–1764 (awarded the State History Award of the Historical Society of Michigan as the Outstanding Michigan History Publication for 2006); Through So Many Dangers: The Memoirs and Adventures of Robert Kirk, Late of the Royal Highland Regiment; British Light Infantryman of the Seven Years’ War, 1757–1767; The Annotated and Illustrated Journals of Major Robert Rogers (with original art by Gary Zaboly); and America’s FIRST First World War: The French & Indian War 1754–1763.
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