The history of what Daniel Morgan and his Virginia Riflemen endured and accomplished is recorded as accurately as a decade of research permits. Their story is told here from the point of view of Nathanael Newman, Adjutant to Daniel Morgan, and fictional ancestor of Peter Newman, the protagonist in my earlier novels: Mission Compromised, Jericho Sanction, The Assassins, Heroes Proved, and Counterfeit Lies.

Though dialogue has been created to give context, the essential facts of the extraordinary events leading up to and throughout the painful birth of this nation are accurately presented. Where necessary, I have reproduced written reports, official records, and the correspondence of eyewitness participants in these dramatic proceedings.

Hopefully, by the end of this book you will be inspired—as I am—by the men and women who persevered through the brutality and privation of a vicious war to forge a new nation and create a form of government then unknown elsewhere on this planet.

They were a tough, resilient, and ultimately, very wise people. Their extraordinary courage, tenacity, and faith are exhibited by the brave young Americans with whom I served as a U.S. Marine; in the young American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Guardsmen, and Marines I covered for nearly two decades at FOX News; and by the Hurt Heroes and their families aided by Freedom Alliance.

As many readers already know, I’m grateful to have spent most of my life in the company of real American heroes. I’m looking forward to spending eternity in the company of my personal American heroes and the Riflemen you will meet in this book . . .

Semper fidelis,

Oliver North

Narnia Farm

Clarke County, Virginia

January 2019

The Letter

THE LETTER

At Alexandria, Virginia

Thursday, 25th August 1814

To my Sons, Henry, James, & Peter & Daughter Grace:

Please forgive this hastily composed Missive. It is most Important that you follow Carefully my Instructions below should I fail to return from this Mission Defending our Commonwealth.

For the third occasion in my lifetime, a British Monarch has Invested our shores and Invaded our Lands. In 1756 George II sent his Army here and they were occupying our lands when I was born in 1758. The lunatic, King George III, besieged us again for thirteen years starting in 1768. And now his wastrel son, the Royal Prince Regent, once more threatens our Tranquility, Safety, and Livelihood with a third British Incursion.

As you know, my unit of Virginia Mounted Militiamen was mustered to Duty in Winchester on Sunday, 21st August after a British Invasion Force disembarked from their Fleet in Maryland’s Patuxent River and started moving toward our new Capital, the District of Columbia. By nightfall we assembled 103 officers and men, 115 horses and a wagon loaded with victuals, powder, and shot and headed East with dispatch to join Colonel George Minor, Commander of the Virginia Militia.