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White Devil: A True Story of War, Savagery And Vengeance in Colonial America
"A fast-moving tale of courage, cruelty, hardship, and savagery."--Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
In North America's first major conflict, known today as the French and Indian War, France and England--both in alliance with Native American tribes--fought each other in a series of bloody battles and terrifying raids. No confrontation was more brutal and notorious than the massacre of the British garrison of Fort William Henry--an incident memorably depicted in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. That atrocity stoked calls for revenge, and the tough young Major Robert Rogers and his "Rangers" were ordered north into enemy territory to exact it.
On the morning of October 4, 1759, Rogers and his men surprised the Abenaki Indian village of St. Francis, slaughtering its sleeping inhabitants without mercy. A nightmarish retreat followed. When, after terrible hardships, the raiders finally returned to safety, they were hailed as heroes by the colonists, and their leader was immortalized as "the brave Major Rogers." But the Abenakis remembered Rogers differently: To them he was Wobomagonda--"White Devil."
In North America's first major conflict, known today as the French and Indian War, France and England--both in alliance with Native American tribes--fought each other in a series of bloody battles and terrifying raids. No confrontation was more brutal and notorious than the massacre of the British garrison of Fort William Henry--an incident memorably depicted in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. That atrocity stoked calls for revenge, and the tough young Major Robert Rogers and his "Rangers" were ordered north into enemy territory to exact it.
On the morning of October 4, 1759, Rogers and his men surprised the Abenaki Indian village of St. Francis, slaughtering its sleeping inhabitants without mercy. A nightmarish retreat followed. When, after terrible hardships, the raiders finally returned to safety, they were hailed as heroes by the colonists, and their leader was immortalized as "the brave Major Rogers." But the Abenakis remembered Rogers differently: To them he was Wobomagonda--"White Devil."
335 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
143 people are currently reading
800 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Brumwell
10 books22 followersStephen Brumwell is an award-winning writer and historian with a specialist interest in eighteenth-century Britain and North America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 2, 2024
A fine refresher on Robert Rogers' pivotal exploits and conquests during the French and Indian War, though lacking in its focus and interest. Brumwell takes too much time introducing his audience to various allegiances between tribes and battles outside of those that pertain to Rogers' Rangers, be that as it may he does offer keen insight, familiarity, and honesty of the barbaric brutalities and ruthlessness applied by Natives, French, and Englishmen alike. Indeed, nail-biting tales of torture, starvation, and endurance are found throughout—and yet perhaps the reader comes away at the end with less of a familiarity with Rogers, which is a rather miraculous (and unfortunate) feat in itself. Concise, a tad rushed, and altogether gritty, White Devil serves more as an adequate introduction to the Seven Years' War in North America.
January 30, 2018
This book is nominally about Roger’s Rangers and Major Robert Rogers, the man who lead many ranging” missions. But much of the book deals with the history of Native American and European, primarily English, settler interactions. There were plenty of points of conflict but also many of peaceful interactions. This book is an excellent companion to Fred Anderson’s Crucible of War: The Seven Years' War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754-1766. White Devil explains the genesis of savage attacks and retribution. The name of the book originates from the Abenaki name for Rogers after the attack on the Indian village of St Francis. The struggle to get to St Francis and the even longer escape after the attack are impressive military feats. The attack itself not so much.
Anderson’s book dismisses Rogers as a publicity hog but not a real contributor to the French and Indian War effort. This book has a different view and I found Rogers to be a decent leader and commander. Not always smart but brave by all accounts. From Braddock’s defeat to the triumph over the French at Quebec and Montreal, the role of the Rangers grows from almost nothing to a key part of every military expedition. Everyone wants to have a force of Rangers or men trained by the Rangers.
The Indians take advantage of easy targets; Braddock’s force is defeated on the Monongahela:
British general throws away gallant forces in a frontal assault, so different from the native avoidance of casualties:
Don’t become a captive, especially if they don’t want to adopt you into the tribe:
4 Stars
Anderson’s book dismisses Rogers as a publicity hog but not a real contributor to the French and Indian War effort. This book has a different view and I found Rogers to be a decent leader and commander. Not always smart but brave by all accounts. From Braddock’s defeat to the triumph over the French at Quebec and Montreal, the role of the Rangers grows from almost nothing to a key part of every military expedition. Everyone wants to have a force of Rangers or men trained by the Rangers.
The Indians take advantage of easy targets; Braddock’s force is defeated on the Monongahela:
British general throws away gallant forces in a frontal assault, so different from the native avoidance of casualties:
Don’t become a captive, especially if they don’t want to adopt you into the tribe:
4 Stars
September 10, 2015
The Abenakis Indians will also have cause to remember the name Robert Rogers, but when they do so it will be by a name of their own: Wobomagonda – White Devil.
Stephen Brumwell’s White Devil is everything I look for in a book of great history. Painstakingly well researched and packed with first-person accounts from eyewitnesses, Brumwell delivers with vivid detail and engaging prose the strange (and often contradictory) biography of Robert Rogers – war hero, patriot, and murderer – in a gripping plot from the French and Indian Wars of the mid-1700s. Plumbing one of history’s darker corners, Brumwell provides an unflinching look at the struggle between English, French, and Native American for control of the North American continent in a text that is both insightful and remarkably balanced with, quite sadly, atrocity being the province of no single side.
And while this book is a concise and engaging history of the major military actions in upstate New York, New England, and Canada, White Devil ultimately centers on frontier-fighter Robert Rogers, who created a crack regiment of light infantry that specialized in reconnaissance and special missions, and whose expertise, tactics, battlefield success, and ‘ranger’ sobriquet provided the inspiration for the U.S. Army Rangers of World War II. Less glamorously, Rogers’ Rangers was also detailed to lead a punitive expedition against the French-sympathizing Abenakis Indians. After slipping through French territorial lines, the soldiers attacked, looted, and burned the village of St. Francis, massacring the inhabitants. The deed done (and with French and Indian forces closing in) Rogers’ retreat back to American lines turned into a starvation march, his men slowing dying of deprivation in the desolate wilderness -- some ultimately resorting to cannibalism of both the dead and their prisoners.
Grisly … but without gore for grossness sake … Brumwell 'tells it like it was' ... and is just as uncompromisingly in his assessments of the relative merits and monstrosities of the combatants – being fair, but never an apologist for any of the sides. It is this objectively that is one of strongest points of the book – facts without slant, built around a riveting narrative with plenty of clear, concise insight into the politics and military tactics that shaped the conflict. A gem of a book that I’ve already begun recommending to others!
June 6, 2018
The subject is compelling and the exploits of Rogers deserves the biography, but the author tends to discuss too many details and get bogged down in backstories of somewhat irrelevant people. The book certainly was well researched and has some solid historical facts and interesting events, but they were over-shadowed by the details that detracted from the flow of the narrative. This book would be very good for military historians, people who love the French and Indian War, or history buffs looking to help bolster their knowledge of the frontier of British and French America in the mid-1700s. For the casual reader, this book would not be their thing.
July 27, 2019
Stephen Brummell came out with a book about Benedict Arnold last year that I was hoping to read, but for some reason the DC Public Library didn’t purchase. Instead I found this book, WHITE DEVIL, and decided to give it a shot. The narrative is a bit plodding, but overall I enjoyed the book and an account of U.S. history that I don’t know much about. I can’t write a better summary than what came along with the book:
In North America's first major conflict, known today as the French and Indian War, France and England--both in alliance with Native American tribes--fought each other in a series of bloody battles and terrifying raids. No confrontation was more brutal and notorious than the massacre of the British garrison of Fort William Henry--an incident memorably depicted in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. That atrocity stoked calls for revenge, and the tough young Major Robert Rogers and his "Rangers" were ordered north into enemy territory to exact it.
On the morning of October 4, 1759, Rogers and his men surprised the Abenaki Indian village of St. Francis, slaughtering its sleeping inhabitants without mercy. A nightmarish retreat followed. When, after terrible hardships, the raiders finally returned to safety, they were hailed as heroes by the colonists, and their leader was immortalized as "the brave Major Rogers." But the Abenakis remembered Rogers differently: To them he was Wobomagonda--"White Devil.
One of the more interesting parts of the book is the account of Rogers’ 28 Rules, which have been adapted today for the U.S. Army Rangers:
All Rangers are to be subject to the rules and articles of war; to appear at roll-call every evening, on their own parade, equipped, each with a Firelock, sixty rounds of powder and ball, and a hatchet, at which time an officer from each company is to inspect the same, to see they are in order, so as to be ready on any emergency to march at a minute's warning; and before they are dismissed, the necessary guards are to be draughted, and scouts for the next day appointed.
Whenever you are ordered out to the enemies forts or frontiers for discoveries, if your number be small, march in a single file, keeping at such a distance from each other as to prevent one shot from killing two men, sending one man, or more, forward, and the like on each side, at the distance of twenty yards from the main body, if the ground you march over will admit of it, to give the signal to the officer of the approach of an enemy, and of their number,
If you march over marshes or soft ground, change your position, and march abreast of each other to prevent the enemy from tracking you (as they would do if you marched in a single file) till you get over such ground, and then resume your former order, and march till it is quite dark before you encamp, which do, if possible, on a piece of ground which that may afford your sentries the advantage of seeing or hearing the enemy some considerable distance, keeping one half of your whole party awake alternately through the night.
Some time before you come to the place you would reconnoitre, make a stand, and send one or two men in whom you can confide, to look out the best ground for making your observations.
If you have the good fortune to take any prisoners, keep them separate, till they are examined, and in your return take a different route from that in which you went out, that you may the better discover any party in your rear, and have an opportunity, if their strength be superior to yours, to alter your course, or disperse, as circumstances may require.
If you march in a large body of three or four hundred, with a design to attack the enemy, divide your party into three columns, each headed by a proper officer, and let those columns march in single files, the columns to the right and left keeping at twenty yards distance or more from that of the center, if the ground will admit, and let proper guards be kept in the front and rear, and suitable flanking parties at a due distance as before directed, with orders to halt on all eminences, to take a view of the surrounding ground, to prevent your being ambuscaded, and to notify the approach or retreat of the enemy, that proper dispositions may be made for attacking, defending, And if the enemy approach in your front on level ground, form a front of your three columns or main body with the advanced guard, keeping out your flanking parties, as if you were marching under the command of trusty officers, to prevent the enemy from pressing hard on either of your wings, or surrounding you, which is the usual method of the savages, if their number will admit of it, and be careful likewise to support and strengthen your rear-guard.
If you are obliged to receive the enemy's fire, fall, or squat down, till it is over; then rise and discharge at them. If their main body is equal to yours, extend yourselves occasionally; but if superior, be careful to support and strengthen your flanking parties, to make them equal to theirs, that if possible you may repulse them to their main body, in which case push upon them with the greatest resolution with equal force in each flank and in the center, observing to keep at a due distance from each other, and advance from tree to tree, with one half of the party before the other ten or twelve yards. If the enemy push upon you, let your front fire and fall down, and then let your rear advance thro' them and do the like, by which time those who before were in front will be ready to discharge again, and repeat the same alternately, as occasion shall require; by this means you will keep up such a constant fire, that the enemy will not be able easily to break your order, or gain your ground.
If you oblige the enemy to retreat, be careful, in your pursuit of them, to keep out your flanking parties, and prevent them from gaining eminences, or rising grounds, in which case they would perhaps be able to rally and repulse you in their turn.
If you are obliged to retreat, let the front of your whole party fire and fall back, till the rear hath done the same, making for the best ground you can; by this means you will oblige the enemy to pursue you, if they do it at all, in the face of a constant fire.
If the enemy is so superior that you are in danger of being surrounded by them, let the whole body disperse, and every one take a different road to the place of rendezvous appointed for that evening, which must every morning be altered and fixed for the evening ensuing, in order to bring the whole party, or as many of them as possible, together, after any separation that may happen in the day; but if you should happen to be actually surrounded, form yourselves into a square, or if in the woods, a circle is best, and, if possible, make a stand till the darkness of the night favours your escape.
If your rear is attacked, the main body and flankers must face about to the right or left, as occasion shall require, and form themselves to oppose the enemy, as before directed; and the same method must be observed, if attacked in either of your flanks, by which means you will always make a rear of one of your flank-guards.
If you determine to rally after a retreat, in order to make a fresh stand against the enemy, by all means endeavour to do it on the most rising ground you come at, which will give you greatly the advantage in point of situation, and enable you to repulse superior numbers.
In general, when pushed upon by the enemy, reserve your fire till they approach very near, which will then put them into the greatest surprise and consternation, and give you an opportunity of rushing upon them with your hatchets and cutlasses to the better advantage.
When you encamp at night, fix your sentries in such a manner as not to be relieved from the main body till morning, profound secrecy and silence being often of the last importance in these cases. Each sentry therefore should consist of six men, two of whom must be constantly alert, and when relieved by their fellows, it should be done without noise; and in case those on duty see or hear any thing, which alarms them, they are not to speak, but one of them is silently to retreat, and acquaint the commanding officer thereof, that proper dispositions may be made; and all occasional sentries should be fixed in like manner.
At the first dawn of day, awake your whole detachment; that being the time when the savages choose to fall upon their enemies, you should by all means be in readiness to receive them.
If the enemy should be discovered by your detachments in the morning, and their numbers are superior to yours, and a victory doubtful, you should not attack them till the evening, as then they will not know your numbers, and if you are repulsed, your retreat will be favoured by the darkness of the night.
Before you leave your encampment, send out small parties to scout round it, to see if there be any appearance or track of an enemy that might have been near you during the night.
When you stop for refreshment, choose some spring or rivulet if you can, and dispose your party so as not to be surprised, posting proper guards and sentries at a due distance, and let a small party waylay the path you came in, lest the enemy should be pursuing.
If, in your return, you have to cross rivers, avoid the usual fords as much as possible, lest the enemy should have discovered, and be there expecting you.
If you have to pass by lakes, keep at some distance from the edge of the water, lest, in case of an ambuscade or an attack from the enemy, when in that situation, your retreat should be cut off.
If the enemy pursue your rear, take a circle till you come to your own tracks, and there form an ambush to receive them, and give them the first fire.
When you return from a scout, and come near our forts, avoid the usual roads, and avenues thereto, lest the enemy should have headed you, and lay in ambush to receive you, when almost exhausted with fatigues.
When you pursue any party that has been near our forts or encampments, follow not directly in their tracks, lest they should be discovered by their rear guards, who, at such a time, would be most alert; but endeavour, by a different route, to head and meet them in some narrow pass, or lay in ambush to receive them when and where they least expect it.
If you are to embark in canoes, battoes, or otherwise, by water, choose the evening for the time of your embarkation, as you will then have the whole night before you, to pass undiscovered by any parties of the enemy, on hills, or other places, which command a prospect of the lake or river you are upon.
In paddling or rowing, give orders that the boat or canoe next the sternmost, wait for her, and the third for the second, and the fourth for the third, and so on, to prevent separation, and that you may be ready to assist each other on any emergency.
Appoint one man in each boat to look out for fires, on the adjacent shores, from the numbers and size of which you may form some judgment of the number that kindled them, and whether you are able to attack them or not.
If you find the enemy encamped near the banks of a river or lake, which you imagine they will attempt to cross for their security upon being attacked, leave a detachment of your party on the opposite shore to receive them, while, with the remainder, you surprise them, having them between you and the lake or river.
If you cannot satisfy yourself as to the enemy's number and strength, from their fire, conceal your boats at some distance, and ascertain their number by a reconnoitering party, when they embark, or march, in the morning, marking the course they steer, when you may pursue, ambush, and attack them, or let them pass, as prudence shall direct you. In general, however, that you may not be discovered by the enemy upon the lakes and rivers at a great distance, it is safest to lay by, with your boats and party concealed all day, without noise or shew; and to pursue your intended route by night; and whether you go by land or water, give out parole and countersigns, in order to know one another in the dark, and likewise appoint a station every man to repair to, in case of any accident that may separate you.
In North America's first major conflict, known today as the French and Indian War, France and England--both in alliance with Native American tribes--fought each other in a series of bloody battles and terrifying raids. No confrontation was more brutal and notorious than the massacre of the British garrison of Fort William Henry--an incident memorably depicted in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. That atrocity stoked calls for revenge, and the tough young Major Robert Rogers and his "Rangers" were ordered north into enemy territory to exact it.
On the morning of October 4, 1759, Rogers and his men surprised the Abenaki Indian village of St. Francis, slaughtering its sleeping inhabitants without mercy. A nightmarish retreat followed. When, after terrible hardships, the raiders finally returned to safety, they were hailed as heroes by the colonists, and their leader was immortalized as "the brave Major Rogers." But the Abenakis remembered Rogers differently: To them he was Wobomagonda--"White Devil.
One of the more interesting parts of the book is the account of Rogers’ 28 Rules, which have been adapted today for the U.S. Army Rangers:
All Rangers are to be subject to the rules and articles of war; to appear at roll-call every evening, on their own parade, equipped, each with a Firelock, sixty rounds of powder and ball, and a hatchet, at which time an officer from each company is to inspect the same, to see they are in order, so as to be ready on any emergency to march at a minute's warning; and before they are dismissed, the necessary guards are to be draughted, and scouts for the next day appointed.
Whenever you are ordered out to the enemies forts or frontiers for discoveries, if your number be small, march in a single file, keeping at such a distance from each other as to prevent one shot from killing two men, sending one man, or more, forward, and the like on each side, at the distance of twenty yards from the main body, if the ground you march over will admit of it, to give the signal to the officer of the approach of an enemy, and of their number,
If you march over marshes or soft ground, change your position, and march abreast of each other to prevent the enemy from tracking you (as they would do if you marched in a single file) till you get over such ground, and then resume your former order, and march till it is quite dark before you encamp, which do, if possible, on a piece of ground which that may afford your sentries the advantage of seeing or hearing the enemy some considerable distance, keeping one half of your whole party awake alternately through the night.
Some time before you come to the place you would reconnoitre, make a stand, and send one or two men in whom you can confide, to look out the best ground for making your observations.
If you have the good fortune to take any prisoners, keep them separate, till they are examined, and in your return take a different route from that in which you went out, that you may the better discover any party in your rear, and have an opportunity, if their strength be superior to yours, to alter your course, or disperse, as circumstances may require.
If you march in a large body of three or four hundred, with a design to attack the enemy, divide your party into three columns, each headed by a proper officer, and let those columns march in single files, the columns to the right and left keeping at twenty yards distance or more from that of the center, if the ground will admit, and let proper guards be kept in the front and rear, and suitable flanking parties at a due distance as before directed, with orders to halt on all eminences, to take a view of the surrounding ground, to prevent your being ambuscaded, and to notify the approach or retreat of the enemy, that proper dispositions may be made for attacking, defending, And if the enemy approach in your front on level ground, form a front of your three columns or main body with the advanced guard, keeping out your flanking parties, as if you were marching under the command of trusty officers, to prevent the enemy from pressing hard on either of your wings, or surrounding you, which is the usual method of the savages, if their number will admit of it, and be careful likewise to support and strengthen your rear-guard.
If you are obliged to receive the enemy's fire, fall, or squat down, till it is over; then rise and discharge at them. If their main body is equal to yours, extend yourselves occasionally; but if superior, be careful to support and strengthen your flanking parties, to make them equal to theirs, that if possible you may repulse them to their main body, in which case push upon them with the greatest resolution with equal force in each flank and in the center, observing to keep at a due distance from each other, and advance from tree to tree, with one half of the party before the other ten or twelve yards. If the enemy push upon you, let your front fire and fall down, and then let your rear advance thro' them and do the like, by which time those who before were in front will be ready to discharge again, and repeat the same alternately, as occasion shall require; by this means you will keep up such a constant fire, that the enemy will not be able easily to break your order, or gain your ground.
If you oblige the enemy to retreat, be careful, in your pursuit of them, to keep out your flanking parties, and prevent them from gaining eminences, or rising grounds, in which case they would perhaps be able to rally and repulse you in their turn.
If you are obliged to retreat, let the front of your whole party fire and fall back, till the rear hath done the same, making for the best ground you can; by this means you will oblige the enemy to pursue you, if they do it at all, in the face of a constant fire.
If the enemy is so superior that you are in danger of being surrounded by them, let the whole body disperse, and every one take a different road to the place of rendezvous appointed for that evening, which must every morning be altered and fixed for the evening ensuing, in order to bring the whole party, or as many of them as possible, together, after any separation that may happen in the day; but if you should happen to be actually surrounded, form yourselves into a square, or if in the woods, a circle is best, and, if possible, make a stand till the darkness of the night favours your escape.
If your rear is attacked, the main body and flankers must face about to the right or left, as occasion shall require, and form themselves to oppose the enemy, as before directed; and the same method must be observed, if attacked in either of your flanks, by which means you will always make a rear of one of your flank-guards.
If you determine to rally after a retreat, in order to make a fresh stand against the enemy, by all means endeavour to do it on the most rising ground you come at, which will give you greatly the advantage in point of situation, and enable you to repulse superior numbers.
In general, when pushed upon by the enemy, reserve your fire till they approach very near, which will then put them into the greatest surprise and consternation, and give you an opportunity of rushing upon them with your hatchets and cutlasses to the better advantage.
When you encamp at night, fix your sentries in such a manner as not to be relieved from the main body till morning, profound secrecy and silence being often of the last importance in these cases. Each sentry therefore should consist of six men, two of whom must be constantly alert, and when relieved by their fellows, it should be done without noise; and in case those on duty see or hear any thing, which alarms them, they are not to speak, but one of them is silently to retreat, and acquaint the commanding officer thereof, that proper dispositions may be made; and all occasional sentries should be fixed in like manner.
At the first dawn of day, awake your whole detachment; that being the time when the savages choose to fall upon their enemies, you should by all means be in readiness to receive them.
If the enemy should be discovered by your detachments in the morning, and their numbers are superior to yours, and a victory doubtful, you should not attack them till the evening, as then they will not know your numbers, and if you are repulsed, your retreat will be favoured by the darkness of the night.
Before you leave your encampment, send out small parties to scout round it, to see if there be any appearance or track of an enemy that might have been near you during the night.
When you stop for refreshment, choose some spring or rivulet if you can, and dispose your party so as not to be surprised, posting proper guards and sentries at a due distance, and let a small party waylay the path you came in, lest the enemy should be pursuing.
If, in your return, you have to cross rivers, avoid the usual fords as much as possible, lest the enemy should have discovered, and be there expecting you.
If you have to pass by lakes, keep at some distance from the edge of the water, lest, in case of an ambuscade or an attack from the enemy, when in that situation, your retreat should be cut off.
If the enemy pursue your rear, take a circle till you come to your own tracks, and there form an ambush to receive them, and give them the first fire.
When you return from a scout, and come near our forts, avoid the usual roads, and avenues thereto, lest the enemy should have headed you, and lay in ambush to receive you, when almost exhausted with fatigues.
When you pursue any party that has been near our forts or encampments, follow not directly in their tracks, lest they should be discovered by their rear guards, who, at such a time, would be most alert; but endeavour, by a different route, to head and meet them in some narrow pass, or lay in ambush to receive them when and where they least expect it.
If you are to embark in canoes, battoes, or otherwise, by water, choose the evening for the time of your embarkation, as you will then have the whole night before you, to pass undiscovered by any parties of the enemy, on hills, or other places, which command a prospect of the lake or river you are upon.
In paddling or rowing, give orders that the boat or canoe next the sternmost, wait for her, and the third for the second, and the fourth for the third, and so on, to prevent separation, and that you may be ready to assist each other on any emergency.
Appoint one man in each boat to look out for fires, on the adjacent shores, from the numbers and size of which you may form some judgment of the number that kindled them, and whether you are able to attack them or not.
If you find the enemy encamped near the banks of a river or lake, which you imagine they will attempt to cross for their security upon being attacked, leave a detachment of your party on the opposite shore to receive them, while, with the remainder, you surprise them, having them between you and the lake or river.
If you cannot satisfy yourself as to the enemy's number and strength, from their fire, conceal your boats at some distance, and ascertain their number by a reconnoitering party, when they embark, or march, in the morning, marking the course they steer, when you may pursue, ambush, and attack them, or let them pass, as prudence shall direct you. In general, however, that you may not be discovered by the enemy upon the lakes and rivers at a great distance, it is safest to lay by, with your boats and party concealed all day, without noise or shew; and to pursue your intended route by night; and whether you go by land or water, give out parole and countersigns, in order to know one another in the dark, and likewise appoint a station every man to repair to, in case of any accident that may separate you.
May 21, 2008
Years ago as a kid I remember seeing a movie on TV called 'Northwest Passage" starring Spencer Tracy. It was about Robert Rogers and the Rangers and the French and Indian War. It was a great action adventure. Hollywood got some of it right and some of it wrong. 'White Devil' is the true story of what really happened in the fall of 1759. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to one and all.
November 8, 2008
This book about Major Robert Rogers is one of the books about an forgotten era in U.S. History. The image of Spencer Tracy's Northwest Passage has fed my imagination about this topic. In actuality, the tale is even more thrilling and amazing. The book is well written and worth the time.
February 3, 2020
Brumwell takes a decidedly European view of the French and Indian War (1755-1763) in examining the campaigns undertaken in upstate New York and northern New England. European troops, along with their respective colonists and Native American allies, frequently collided along the boundary of New France and New England. Many "provincials" made a name for themselves fighting alongside British troops, none more so than Robert Rogers and his Rangers. "Rogers' Rangers" have been called the first special forces unit, guerilla warfare experts at a time where European rules of engagement still held. Rogers' vengeful mission against the St. Francis Abenaki village in Canada is the focus of this study of imperial politics and frontier warfare. While Rogers' actions paved the way for British success, they also resulted in political and cultural awakenings that would spawn the American Revolution just 20 years later.
Rogers emerges as both a heroic and tragic figure. In his element while fighting for survival in the wilderness, he was lost when it came to politics and peacetime. A good book for those looking for the events that inspired The Last of the Mohicans, readers wanting a fuller picture of this time period are better suited with Fred Anderson's The Crucible of War.
Rogers emerges as both a heroic and tragic figure. In his element while fighting for survival in the wilderness, he was lost when it came to politics and peacetime. A good book for those looking for the events that inspired The Last of the Mohicans, readers wanting a fuller picture of this time period are better suited with Fred Anderson's The Crucible of War.
October 4, 2023
Unbiased and unabashed telling of the brutality of the Seven Years War from the viewpoint of a European author. Not one participant escapes utilizing barbaric war tactics and the balance of alliances during the war make for page-turning consumption
December 13, 2023
Stephen Brumwell is a writer and independent historian living in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He earned his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Ph.D. in History at the University of Leeds. He has written extensively on European-American military affairs. His other notable works include: Turncoat. Benedict Arnold and the Crisis of American Liberty in 2018, Redcoats: The British Soldier and War in the Americas, 1755–1763 in 2002, and George Washington: Gentleman Warrior in 2012. Dr. Brumwell is qualified to write on the subject of the French and Indian War.
Brumwell seeks to answer a few questions about specific events of the French and Indian War including the exact dates of the raid at St. Francois (modern day Saint-François-du-Lac, Quebec) as well as why the location was chosen. He focuses his attention on Major Robert Rogers and his legacy for both Britain, who lauds him as a hero, and the Abenakis, who refer to him as White Devil. Rogers bloodthirst came to a head in his 1759 raid at the Abanaki village of St. Francois.
The Abanaki village of St. Francois had a reputation for violence with stories of murder and scalping but by 1754 it had become a refuge of sorts for displaced Indians. Brumwell argues that the Abanaki allied themselves with the French in New France and, in battles with the British, had displaced many Iroqois and Mohawk Indians in their own right. As skilled warriors, it is surprising they weren’t well equipped to secure their own homes. One such raid against them saw the priest of their mission bludgeoned, riddled with bullet holes, and scalped in 1724. Father Rasles had said of the Abanaki that they were independent allies, free from subjection to any power.
At a conference held in Montreal in 1752, the Abanki made it clear to the local government and delegates that they owned the land of the region. They were against any Englishman trespassing on their land or taking sustenance from it. They declared their independence while still promising allyship to France for giving them “the faith.” They also promised an unpleasant war with anyone that might challenge them. Their “declaration of independence” at the conference inspired the Iroqouis to pledge aid to the Abanaki if it ever became necessary.
The threat of growing French influence and their intention to build forts in the area prompted British Governor Wentworth to contemplate intervention, but nothing came of it. Tensions with the British never faltered and the Abanaki abducted many whites and assimilated them to their ways. One such adoptee, Joseph-Louis Gill, became the White Chief of the St. Francois Indians. Roger Roberts was also no stranger to Indian life. He grew up alongside them and interacted with them on a daily basis. This knowledge would come in handy after George Washington left a trail of dead French in his wake.
Many Abanakis went to the distant Ohio Valley in allyship with French soldiers at Fort Duquesne. Rogers set out on a campaign that led to his rapid promotion in the ranks. In 1757, Rogers plotted to confront the French by destroying the village of St. Francois but he was sent to Lake George instead. Rogers was wounded in raids against Indians that saw him hospitalized. He wrote that the savagery of the Indians was so great that they would dig up buried men and scalp them.
In October of 1759, with many of the fighting Abanaki away from the village of St. Francois, Rogers and his company joined an Amanaki celebration claiming to be friendly. They slaughtered the French and Indians of St. Francois early the next morning as they slept, then they burned the village to the ground. Rogers was proud of his work slaughtering the French and Indians. Even in his lifetime, he reaped the benefit of his actions. Rogers died in exile, a drunkard in 1795.
I enjoyed reading White Devil but I always prefer linear storytelling. This book is presented more as a story than history, although it is non fiction. Brumwell himself writes that the book is meant for someone with a broad interest in the past so it isn’t necessarily meant for scholarly purposes. Brumwell employs many primary sources including Roger’s own widely published journals. Secondary sources include oral tradition about the events recorded from testimonies of Abanaki Indians in the early 20th Century. Brumwell’s sourcing suffers from using endnotes. It would have been handy to check the sources as the story unfolded. Overall this was a good read and I learned quite a bit. I recommend it.
Brumwell seeks to answer a few questions about specific events of the French and Indian War including the exact dates of the raid at St. Francois (modern day Saint-François-du-Lac, Quebec) as well as why the location was chosen. He focuses his attention on Major Robert Rogers and his legacy for both Britain, who lauds him as a hero, and the Abenakis, who refer to him as White Devil. Rogers bloodthirst came to a head in his 1759 raid at the Abanaki village of St. Francois.
The Abanaki village of St. Francois had a reputation for violence with stories of murder and scalping but by 1754 it had become a refuge of sorts for displaced Indians. Brumwell argues that the Abanaki allied themselves with the French in New France and, in battles with the British, had displaced many Iroqois and Mohawk Indians in their own right. As skilled warriors, it is surprising they weren’t well equipped to secure their own homes. One such raid against them saw the priest of their mission bludgeoned, riddled with bullet holes, and scalped in 1724. Father Rasles had said of the Abanaki that they were independent allies, free from subjection to any power.
At a conference held in Montreal in 1752, the Abanki made it clear to the local government and delegates that they owned the land of the region. They were against any Englishman trespassing on their land or taking sustenance from it. They declared their independence while still promising allyship to France for giving them “the faith.” They also promised an unpleasant war with anyone that might challenge them. Their “declaration of independence” at the conference inspired the Iroqouis to pledge aid to the Abanaki if it ever became necessary.
The threat of growing French influence and their intention to build forts in the area prompted British Governor Wentworth to contemplate intervention, but nothing came of it. Tensions with the British never faltered and the Abanaki abducted many whites and assimilated them to their ways. One such adoptee, Joseph-Louis Gill, became the White Chief of the St. Francois Indians. Roger Roberts was also no stranger to Indian life. He grew up alongside them and interacted with them on a daily basis. This knowledge would come in handy after George Washington left a trail of dead French in his wake.
Many Abanakis went to the distant Ohio Valley in allyship with French soldiers at Fort Duquesne. Rogers set out on a campaign that led to his rapid promotion in the ranks. In 1757, Rogers plotted to confront the French by destroying the village of St. Francois but he was sent to Lake George instead. Rogers was wounded in raids against Indians that saw him hospitalized. He wrote that the savagery of the Indians was so great that they would dig up buried men and scalp them.
In October of 1759, with many of the fighting Abanaki away from the village of St. Francois, Rogers and his company joined an Amanaki celebration claiming to be friendly. They slaughtered the French and Indians of St. Francois early the next morning as they slept, then they burned the village to the ground. Rogers was proud of his work slaughtering the French and Indians. Even in his lifetime, he reaped the benefit of his actions. Rogers died in exile, a drunkard in 1795.
I enjoyed reading White Devil but I always prefer linear storytelling. This book is presented more as a story than history, although it is non fiction. Brumwell himself writes that the book is meant for someone with a broad interest in the past so it isn’t necessarily meant for scholarly purposes. Brumwell employs many primary sources including Roger’s own widely published journals. Secondary sources include oral tradition about the events recorded from testimonies of Abanaki Indians in the early 20th Century. Brumwell’s sourcing suffers from using endnotes. It would have been handy to check the sources as the story unfolded. Overall this was a good read and I learned quite a bit. I recommend it.
July 23, 2023
The WHITE DEVIL refers to Major Robert Rogers who was the leader of a band of rangers during the French and Indian War. His principal accomplishment, according to British American colonists, was the massacre of Abenaki Indian village at St. Francis. He also lost a lot of men on his way back to his home base; many died of starvation, although that wasn’t entirely his fault.
The Abenaki were allies of the French during the war until just before the French gave up Canada to the British. They were also guilty of massacres of their own against New England settlers. We know this by the number of scalps hanging from their wigwams when Rogers entered the village.
Although Rogers is the central figure in Brumwell’s book, I found Susanna Johnson more interesting. She was captured by the Abenakis during a raid along with her children. She makes periodic appearances throughout the book and at the end. Joseph Louis Gill is the other character, the white chief of the Abenaki. Gill is fascinating, although Brumwell doesn’t make much use of him. Gill was born of captive, white parents and spent his whole life with the Abenaki, working his way up to chief. Gill adopted Susanna.
After the French pretty much had their way with the British early on in the war, for some reason they lost interest toward the end, and the British were able to walk their way up Lake Champlain into Canada, ultimately capturing Montreal.
As for Rogers, his attack on St. Francis was highly overrated by the press in my view. The villages were warned and the fighting men left the village before the attack. The victims seem to have been the halt, the lame, and women and children, despite the fact that Rogers was told to spare them.
I know some readers are saying, as I did, “I never heard of Robert Rogers”. That’s because he was constantly in debt. He sided with the British in the Revolutionary War, so as to keep his half pay he received for fighting against the French. At one point, Washington had him arrested as a possible spy.
After the Revolutionary War he turned author writing about his various exploits; he even went so far as to write a play. He was living among the snobbish British, so you can guess their response. He had a sad ending. I’ll let you find out for yourselves how that came about.
The Abenaki were allies of the French during the war until just before the French gave up Canada to the British. They were also guilty of massacres of their own against New England settlers. We know this by the number of scalps hanging from their wigwams when Rogers entered the village.
Although Rogers is the central figure in Brumwell’s book, I found Susanna Johnson more interesting. She was captured by the Abenakis during a raid along with her children. She makes periodic appearances throughout the book and at the end. Joseph Louis Gill is the other character, the white chief of the Abenaki. Gill is fascinating, although Brumwell doesn’t make much use of him. Gill was born of captive, white parents and spent his whole life with the Abenaki, working his way up to chief. Gill adopted Susanna.
After the French pretty much had their way with the British early on in the war, for some reason they lost interest toward the end, and the British were able to walk their way up Lake Champlain into Canada, ultimately capturing Montreal.
As for Rogers, his attack on St. Francis was highly overrated by the press in my view. The villages were warned and the fighting men left the village before the attack. The victims seem to have been the halt, the lame, and women and children, despite the fact that Rogers was told to spare them.
I know some readers are saying, as I did, “I never heard of Robert Rogers”. That’s because he was constantly in debt. He sided with the British in the Revolutionary War, so as to keep his half pay he received for fighting against the French. At one point, Washington had him arrested as a possible spy.
After the Revolutionary War he turned author writing about his various exploits; he even went so far as to write a play. He was living among the snobbish British, so you can guess their response. He had a sad ending. I’ll let you find out for yourselves how that came about.
January 27, 2022
This book really centers on the exploits of Robert Rogers who trained and let the first group of Rangers, which was the first special forces unit in the military. Taking place during the French & Indian War the action is centered around Lake Champlain and the struggled in the area between New France and New England in the New World. A fight for supremacy in which both sides enlisted the help of natives and in which both sides were very brutal and fought a war much different than the traditional European style. Roger's Rangers basically invented today's gorilla warfare.
Using Rogers' journals as well as those of others and official dispatches and actions the author details, with amazing accuracy, the daily life and multiple scuffles (along with major confrontations) fought by the Rangers and other units in the area. How they fought the natives, the French & the elements.
The book shows the brutality of war along the frontier and is well worth the read to understand the nature of the war as well as how the line between the countries was established.
Using Rogers' journals as well as those of others and official dispatches and actions the author details, with amazing accuracy, the daily life and multiple scuffles (along with major confrontations) fought by the Rangers and other units in the area. How they fought the natives, the French & the elements.
The book shows the brutality of war along the frontier and is well worth the read to understand the nature of the war as well as how the line between the countries was established.
July 7, 2021
Stephen Brumwell took a little different twist on this book using resources that deviated from what most historical writers use. He tried to give a balanced account on Robert Rogers exploits during the French and Indian War or 7 years war as the Brits call it. His most notable raid was annihilating the village of St. Francis belonging to the Abenaki tribe who were especially ferocious raiding on the early settlers and attacking British troops from ambush. This is where he got his nickname from the Abernaki's who still call him the White Devil. You get the Indian viewpoint and their input on the action as well as the French situation and the British commanders and also men under Rogers command. He was a hero in the eyes of his men and the Colonial public at the time. He accomplished impossible feats of endurance and determination to complete his missions. Much respect by his command and much hated by enemies, in the end it did not go so well for Rogers after the guns went silent. Excellent history sorting out truth from fiction.
July 19, 2022
I used to wonder why Americans learn so much about the Revolutionary War, but so little about the "French and Indian War" that preceded it. This book, the story of my namesake, Major Robert Rogers, offers clues in understanding just how complicated that conflict was. As leader of an elite group of rangers (and the spiritual father of the modern Special Forces), Rogers was resourceful, brave, daring and effective. He was also brutal and savage in his methods, fighting a war of extermination against the Abenaki at a time where Natives were seen neither as the saintly helpers of the Pilgrims, the deadly insurgents of the Western Plains or the victims of colonial aggression but as a powerful force to be reckoned with, equals in intelligence, culture and ability if not in political power. It's a well-researched, disturbing read, and an unforgettable one.
November 4, 2022
This book is set in the mid- 1700’s when the colonists and the British army were fighting together against the French and their Indian allies, who were skirmishing along what is today the US / Canada border.
The Indians allied with the French were raiding settlements in New England and the British were trying to push the French and their Indians back into Canada.
Mostly the British troops didn’t perform well into the forests and swamps. One exception was a Robert Roger’s, who raised his own specialized ‘Rangers’ and was successful in fighting both the French and Indians. His rangers were precursors in style to today’s Army Rangers or Navy Seals or Marines.
Rogers’ story ends badly when he joins the British side instead of the colonists in the Revolutionary War.
The Indians allied with the French were raiding settlements in New England and the British were trying to push the French and their Indians back into Canada.
Mostly the British troops didn’t perform well into the forests and swamps. One exception was a Robert Roger’s, who raised his own specialized ‘Rangers’ and was successful in fighting both the French and Indians. His rangers were precursors in style to today’s Army Rangers or Navy Seals or Marines.
Rogers’ story ends badly when he joins the British side instead of the colonists in the Revolutionary War.
May 23, 2019
I read this as it was referenced in Elliot Pattison's amazing Duncan McCallum series. I've also had a bit of a fascination for Roger's Rangers given my own personal connection to update New York. This did not disappoint. The history alone was wonderful but the author did an amazing job writing this almost like a novel. This was a great story of the beginnings of what would become the United States. Completely readable.
January 28, 2019
Solid book covering Major Robert Rogers' exploits in the French and Indian War, culminating in the commando raid behind enemy lines to the Abenaki Indian of St. Francis in Canada. Aside from the overly judicious usage of the semicolon and colon as punctuation, the narrative picked up pace and captured my interest as the events unfolded.
December 30, 2023
The story is of Robert Rogers, but centers on his famous/infamous raid on the St. Francis Abenaki. The book covers his rise during the French and Indian War as well as his downfall after the war, although that last part is done in less than 50 pages, as it was not the major focus of the book. Good read if you want to know about Rogers.
April 1, 2022
This book is an extremely interesting and well written account of Robert Rodgers and his involvement in the French and Indian war in the upper New York,Vermont and Canada. The history of the conflict is told with the lens of the activity of Rodgers and his Rangers. Highly recommended.
Read
December 17, 2019A thoroughly enjoyable read. The book includes a great deal of very specific information, but offered in a format that would welcome a casual reader as well as an enthusiast.
January 31, 2021
A compelling read. I was drawn in more by the events than the characters, nonetheless, the story flowed well, was enjoyable and very informative. Highly recommend.
March 31, 2024
A truly unvarnished look of the warfare in early America. A well balanced look at the man Robert Rogers, warts and all. Well written and very informative.
May 31, 2025
A great account of Robert Roger’s and the horrors of colonial warfare in North America. This is a balanced account and doesn’t hold back on the savage actions of so many of those involved.
July 2, 2021
Superb!
An excellent, thorough and detailed assessment of an oft-forgotten chapter in American history. Importantly it offers a balanced, nuanced description of the martial talents and peacetime travails of Robert Rogers, perhaps America’s first military hero and godfather to the intrepid soldiers of today’s storied Ranger Regiment. Readers will not be disappointed.
RLTW!
An excellent, thorough and detailed assessment of an oft-forgotten chapter in American history. Importantly it offers a balanced, nuanced description of the martial talents and peacetime travails of Robert Rogers, perhaps America’s first military hero and godfather to the intrepid soldiers of today’s storied Ranger Regiment. Readers will not be disappointed.
RLTW!
May 4, 2020
Colonial US History. A lot better than the Tracy Spencer movie. The real story of a long and brutal slog from Vermont into Quebec to attack and burn the Abenaki village of St Francis, and the harrowing, deadly, winter trek back to Fort No. 4 in Charleston. The story of the rangers who participated in the slaughter.
July 15, 2015
WHITE DEVIL by Stephen Brumwell is an interesting , entertaining and well- written historical narrative of Robert Rodgers, founder of the famous, or infamous to some Rodges' Rangers. During the French and Indian War , a brutal frontier battle for the domination of the North American continent between France and its Native American allies against Britian And its local fighters Rodgers originated the idea of local militia trained , experienced and committed to fighting as Indians, that is, on long - ranging scouts and seek and destroy missions. In short, the were the fore-runners of the Army Rangers of today. The fictional account is Northwest Passage , and there was a movie made in the 1940's which , as usual, touches in the truth without getting too close for comfort.
To the British Rodgers was an heroic and extremely capable combat leader; to the French allied Indegnious peoples, he was the White Devil, a name he earned by striking deep into their territory, and striking savagely, asking and giving no quarter. Such a policy grew out from the results of equally savage Indian ( ok, I accede to the natural ease of using the term I am confortable with) raids on colonial America.
Whether Rodgers was hero or villain, the book answers- both, and at the same time.
A worthwhile book for history lovers. Even though I seldom read material covering this ear, and there is not much, I quite enjoyed this book. There are a few maps, no illustrations, except for cover art. Nonetheless, the chronicle of the French and Indian Wars history is very good, even though concise.
Note: I almost ok a star away because the type font used was small and thin , giving the pages a gray caste, it was difficult to read in bright sun, with or without sunglasses or in a darkening room. But then again, my eyes are aging as is the rest of me.
Second note: the combat reported in the book is quite brutal and there are historical depictions and references to torture and cannabalism. True by the way, and not always by the Indian tribes.
To the British Rodgers was an heroic and extremely capable combat leader; to the French allied Indegnious peoples, he was the White Devil, a name he earned by striking deep into their territory, and striking savagely, asking and giving no quarter. Such a policy grew out from the results of equally savage Indian ( ok, I accede to the natural ease of using the term I am confortable with) raids on colonial America.
Whether Rodgers was hero or villain, the book answers- both, and at the same time.
A worthwhile book for history lovers. Even though I seldom read material covering this ear, and there is not much, I quite enjoyed this book. There are a few maps, no illustrations, except for cover art. Nonetheless, the chronicle of the French and Indian Wars history is very good, even though concise.
Note: I almost ok a star away because the type font used was small and thin , giving the pages a gray caste, it was difficult to read in bright sun, with or without sunglasses or in a darkening room. But then again, my eyes are aging as is the rest of me.
Second note: the combat reported in the book is quite brutal and there are historical depictions and references to torture and cannabalism. True by the way, and not always by the Indian tribes.
January 22, 2016
Brumwell has written a most engaging history of the skirmishes and conflicts of the French and Indian War, giving a vivid and in-depth picture of his main focus, Robert Rogers and his Rangers. The book centers on the brutal raid carried out against the St. Francis Abenaki Indians, who were generally allied with the French, but a scourge to the English, especially those encroaching on their frontier. What I liked most about this book is that it looks at all sides of this conflict, does not try to whitewash the brutality of these wilderness wars--there enough cruelty for all the sides to partake in savage acts. Brumwell scoured the archives to craft a very powerful and detailed history, that at the same time is accessible to the lay reader--and that is not an easy book to write. The maps included in the front material was most helpful in visualizing the area.
February 22, 2010
So, I feel kinda guilty about this book. It's a part of US history I know very little about, and I'm trying to better myself. But...I didn't actually finish reading it. There's nothing inherently bad about it, but it's not very compelling. I kept picking up other books in the middle, and this one just got shunted to the side. After I ran out of library renewals for it (I think that's over two months), I gave up and took it back.
Having said this, if you're interested in the topic, or don't have anything else to read, I'm sure it's a fine book. If it's something you're only sort of interested in, it might not suck you in. Alas.
Having said this, if you're interested in the topic, or don't have anything else to read, I'm sure it's a fine book. If it's something you're only sort of interested in, it might not suck you in. Alas.
May 28, 2011
Okay book about Robert Rogers and his Rangers of the French and Indian War. This book vividly describes the brutality of guerilla warfare on the American frontier and the cycle of violence that knew no limits almost to a fault. Though mainly about Rodgers and his mission to destroy the Abenakis, the author side tracks in details that unless you know the geography of the narrative it gets confusing and monotonous. The story of the first special forces unit and their missions was cool. Rodgers didn't take any crap from indians, especially the st francis Abenakis who ritually torture and enslave their captives.
July 11, 2009
Fantastic. A brisk military history of the French and Indian War; at the center of the story is Robert Rogers, New Hampshire's intrepid woodsman-soldier, who led his "rangers" in pivotal engagements against the French and their Native allies. The grueling, brutal nature of 18th century warfare is highlighted, as is the central role played by North American Indians on both sides of the conflict. Most of us remain woefully uninformed on this critical period, this book is a great antidote for our ignorance.
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