Just at Americans declared themselves independent from Britain in 1776, the British
dispatched the largest expeditionary force in their history to put down the rebellion. The
target was the Lake Champlain Valley-Hudson River corridor.

A rag-tag, demoralized American army at Fort Ticonderoga had to stop a ten-thousand-
man force descending from Canada. The man who would lead the fight was none other
than Benedict Arnold.

On Monday, October 25 at 4 pm, Jack Kelly will talk about the incredible campaign that
followed. He will describe how patriots built a fleet of gunboats on a remote lake, faced
the Royal Navy in battle, and managed to stop the invasion.

Jack describes the clash at Valcour Island as “the most important unknown battle of the
Revolution.” The fight was startlingly violent, and the stakes could not have been higher.
This will be a unique opportunity to obtain a signed copy of Jack’s new book:
VALCOUR: The 1776 Campaign That Saved the Cause of Liberty. Sea History
Magazine recently said of the book: “Kelly’s book reads more like a novel than a
historical exegesis. Valcour is well written and a delight to read.”

This event will take place at St. Paul’s Parish Hall in Red Hook.

Email Renee at programcoordinator@redhooklibrary.org for more information and to register.