ARNOLD’S EXPEDITION TO QUEBEC
By the late John Codman, 2d
Extra-Illustrated Edition. Two Maps, and Notes. Edited by William Abbatt.
200 copies at $7.50 net. Cloth, gilt top.
50 copies on hand-made paper. Boards, gilt top. $15.00.
Postage, 30 cents extra on each.
Among the historical books of 1901, I know none more interesting or valuable than Mr. Codman’s, and it is greatly to be regretted that he did not live to witness its deserved success.
Mr. Winston Churchill (author of The Crisis) says: “This book richly deserves the prominent notice given it (by a leading literary journal). It revives a most important and glorious episode in the history of this country, and every American will be the better for reading of the heroic struggles of Arnold’s men across the wilderness. It is a book which seems essential to every library.”
But the author failed to fully recognize his opportunity for illustrating the story, giving portraits of only four of the twenty or more officers of the expedition.
In my edition I insert thirteen additional portraits, several of which have never appeared before, and nine other illustrations.
The biographical notices of the original have been extended wherever possible. These various improvements add much value to the original work, not only to the bibliophile but to the general reader.
The expedition to Quebec, through the trackless wilderness of Maine, is easily the most dramatic episode of the Revolution. It was led by one who was destined to a brilliant career as a soldier, and a disgraceful end as a traitor to his country. But for two events it would have been completely successful, and the whole history of our Revolution changed thereby—the territory of the original thirteen Colonies being augmented by the vast domain now comprehended under the general name of British America, and our country thus extending from the shores of the Arctic Ocean to the Rio Grande.
These two incidents were, first: the month-late start of the expedition, because of which the terrible flood in the Dead River, with the resultant hardships, was encountered by those whom one of their number, many years later, justly termed “that band of Heroes”—and, second: the wound which disabled Arnold himself when, during the desperate attack on Quebec, his inspiring presence and wonderful leadership were most needed by his men.
Mr. Codman’s book is the only modern account of this important “prologue of the Revolution,” as it has been styled by another author. No full understanding of the importance of Arnold’s enterprise and the heroism of his men is possible without having read it. Its terse diction and graphic style make it most interesting reading, and the numerous illustrations (most of them made expressly for it) add greatly to its value.
Sample pages will be sent free on request. Address the Magazine of History, 281 Fourth Ave., N. Y.