The Final Invasion: Plattsburgh, the War of 1812's Most Decisive Battle

by David Fitz-Enz, Christopher Prevost, John R. Elting (Editor)

A major event in both America's history and the European wars of the nineteenth century, the War of 1812's Battle of Plattsburgh saw the largest invasion ever of a foreign military into the United States, as the British army and navy, fresh from victories against Napoleon, attempted to conquer Lake Champlain and its shores. Their plan was to seize control of key waterways and port cities, a move that would cripple America's defenses. Outnumbered and outgunned, the U. S. land and sea forces fought the British ships and troops to a standstill, allowing the leader of the American fleet, Lieutenant Thomas Macdonough, to carry out a brilliant maneuver which ensured an American victory.

Author Fitz-Enz researched and produced a companion PBS documentary that examined the leaders on both sides of the conflict and their actions during the battle. His research brought to light numerous documents, including diaries and secret battle orders, that reveal new insights into the battle. His descriptions of the confrontation in the pages of The Final Invasion bring to vivid life the cannon blasts that tore through ships and their crews and the rush of infantry storming the fortifications around the city.

Endorsed by the U. S. Army War College, The Final Invasion is a thrilling look at a pivotal moment in American and world history.

Genres: History

328 pages, Hardcover

First published August 9, 2001

Reviews

[Donald Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late to the party but what a read! I enjoyed the retelling of the battle and the fleshing out of the relationships of Downie and MacDonough with their army counterparts. I read all the other books including Roosevelt's and I think this was the best read for immersing myself in the events of the day. "Good on ya" Colonel. And we will never forget your service, especially in Vietnam.

[Billhotto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at the important but overlooked naval battle on Lake Champlain on September 11, 1814. After Napoleon abdicated in April, 1814 the British sent 10,000 veteran troops to North America. The plan was to invade New York state and slice off a section of New England which would become a British province to be called Columbia. The attacks on Washington D.C. and Baltimore were diversionary raids. So successful were the British diversions and so disorganized was the American leadership that 9,000 redcoats under Sir George Prevost were able to march unopposed to Plattsburg on the shore of Lake Champlain,where 1500 American regulars and a few militia had little chance of defending their position. The wild card was control of the lake. The American fleet of four ships and some gunboats was anchored in the harbor with Lt. Thomas MacDonaugh commanding. Prevost held off attacking until the British fleet arrived on the morning of Sept. 11. The two fleets were about equal, but the British cannon had the longer range. The British strategy of staying out of range fell apart when the wind suddenly died. They were forced to anchor and slug it out. MacDonaugh had anchored his flagship,the Saratoga, so that it could be pivoted. At the crucial point he had the ship turned around and fired a broadside which disabled the British flagship, the Confiance. This forced the British to surrender. After the loss of his fleet, Prevost called off the attack and returned to Canada. He was criticized for this and removed as governor-general. Fitz-Ens defends Prevost by citing the Duke of Wellington- Prevost would have sustained unnecessary casualties to take a position he could not supply or hold without control of the lake.Prevost thought that the army would return in the spring with a new fleet. The problem was, that having failed to gain a foothold on American soil, the British agreed to the Treaty of Ghent in December. This reestablished pre-war boundaries.
Fitz-Ens provides a concise account of the battle. Although MacDonaugh and the British commander Capt. George Downie had sea going combat experience, fighting on the lakes was quite different. Both fleets were manned by inexperienced sailors, mostly soldiers. MacDonaugh even emptied out the local prison. The ships were made out of green pine rather than well seasoned oak. Cannon balls ripped through, throwing off huge splinters which impaled nearby men. The cannon themselves were extremely dangerous to their crew, Downie was killed by a loose cannon. Besides incompetence in President Madison's administration, the American force had to cope with considerable disloyalty by their countrymen.The British were well supplied with food and naval stores by American smugglers. Provost received intelligence from the locals. The governor of Vermont refused to allow the state militia to cross over to New York. Many of them ignored him and served as volunteers. Fitz-Eng quotes a source about the battle-- "The battle and the outcome of the war were in the hands of a small group of Americans who, despite lack of support by their government and the hostility of many of their countrymen, decided to make a stand."

[Joel Margulies · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Final Invasion by David Fitz-Enz is not only about the battle of Plattsburgh, but many other aspects of the state of the American and British nations. He really goes in depth on military strategies, economic concerns, and political drama. The book is so dense with information; most of the small details I have already forgotten. The book was not intensely gripping, however, not something to put one asleep either.
The book was most interesting to me when the author would tell little stories about important figures. It was also interesting learning about the personal grudges some of the military officers held with each other; sometimes people would completely disregard orders from their general because of minor personal conflicts. This book will probably help me out later in my US history class too.
My biggest criticism of the book is its organization. He would suddenly change the entire subject in the middle of a chapter. In the beginning, he talks about British conflicts with the French in the late 1700s, then discusses smuggling goods across the Canadian border. His transitioning of ideas seemed to confuse me at times.
Fitz-Enz wrote a historically accurate book about a more obscure, but important battle in American history. I do believe he could have made it more interesting for us with shorter attention spans, but overall it was well written. If history textbooks bore you to death, then this book won't be your favorite. On the other hand, history nerds will gather lots of information about a period seldom talked about of America's history.

[Tony Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Civil War book

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting historical but little Known battle of the war of 1812 wich took place on lake Champlain in new york state.