No Despicable Enemy, 1779: The Continental Army destroys Indian Territory

By Gavin K. Watt

The book open by describing the complex, worldwide conflict of 1779, which had sprung from America’s four-year revolt, and explains the inability of the Crown’s commanders in New York City and Quebec to keep pace with their ever-expanding challenges. This sets the stage to describe how General Washington seized this opportunity to punish the northern native nations, whose raiding had so dominated the previous campaign. His armies invaded their territories, razed their towns and destroyed their extensive crops and orchards. His primary goal was to force these British allies out of the war, although an apparent secondary goal was to prepare for the postwar expansion of the United States. While Washington’s campaign was a technical success, the goal of destroying native morale failed.

Contents include:

• Acknowledgements
• List of Abbreviations
• Introduction: A World War
• Part One: Winter and Spring
  • Chapter One - Defend our Extensive Frontiers
  • Chapter Two - Blunders & Neglects
  • Chapter Three - The Impending Crisis
  
  
• Part Two: Summer and Fall
  • Chapter Four - The Great Man in Canada
  • Chapter Five - Trample Under Foot the Six Nations
  • Chapter Six - The Birds are Still on the Wing
  • Chapter Seven - The Will of the Great Spirit
  
  
• Appendix One: Equipping Natives
• Appendix Two: Sullivan’s Army
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index Click here to browse the INDEX

Details:

• 440 pages
• 6 X 9"
• Softcover - Perfect Bound
• Title source: Paraphrasing of Sullivan’s description of the Indians. Sullivan to Washington, Mill Stone, NJ 16Apr79.
• Cover image: Photograph of Philip Craver by Geoffrey R. Harding, both of whom are members of the recreated Six Nations’ Indian Department, at a 2007 reenactment staged at Newtown Battlefield State Park, New York
• Cover layout: Chris Armstrong
• Book design and layout: Jane E. MacNamara, Toronto
• Illustrations, Photographs (B & W)
• List of Abbreviations
• Appendices
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index
• Published by Global Heritage Press, Ottawa, November 2019
• ISBN 9781772401424 (softcover)

Reviews:

• This lengthy book represents ‘the end of an era’, as author Gavin K. Watt is retiring from further research and writing after an astonishing fifteen books. Recognized as an authority on the American Revolution and the Northern Department in particular, he has been practically in a league of his own. For those who have known Gavin either personally or through his books, there is the sense that this final book should be a special farewell...and it is. ....... As with Gavin’s other books, this one features extensive notes, a fulsome bibliography and an index- all indications of dedicated research. This book demands the full attention of the reader, and that attention given is rewarded amply. As with Gavin’s earlier books, this is another not to be missed.  - Review by Peter Johnson UE, President, Bay of Quinte Branch, United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada

• [Gavin K. Watt] extends solid historical credence to native land claims. He fixes his attention on facts recorded in hundreds of historical accounts written by governors and military officials despatched by powers of the United States and the British Crown, as they wrested control over native-held territories. ... {He] maintained an unblinking focus on the specific historical period that launched the dispossession of First Nations from their rightful territories. He demonstrated how American and British forces justified their war on First Nations by gradually vilifying them as "ignorant savages" in their accounts, deliberately undermining their recognized skills and advanced knowledge of agriculture. .... read Gavin's book!"
  - - Review by Vicki Hotte, The Weekly Sentinal, May 14, 2019 (page 10)

• Watt answers the questing why mount a major effort against the Six Nations in particular? .... In his new book, “No Despicable Enemy, 1779: The Continental Army destroys Indian Territory,” Watt delves into the “incredibly complex,” worldwide conflict of 1779, which had sprung from America’s four-year revolt. - - Review by Mark Pavilons, King City Sentinal, Nov 14, 2019 (page 14)

• Rolland Miner reported, “Gavin Watt is one of the foremost writers and experts on the important contributions of the Loyalists who supported the Crown in the war.”

• Alan Fitzpatrick wrote, “Gavin Watt’s intimate and complete grasp of the American Revolution in the north… is unrivaled; and makes his book a thoroughly compelling read.”

• Carl Benn noted, “I am most impressed with the depth of his research and the quality of his analysis of a range of important themes…. As is typical of Mr. Watt’s several books on the revolution, this is a thoroughly researched effort, marked by a mature analysis that corrects many misconceptions and errors and that will remain the standard assessment for years to come"
  
  
• After reading this manuscript, Christian Cameron commented, “I love the inclusion of these full primary source documents…. The things I’m learning here— fascinating…. This is an excellent history and I wish I’d had it years ago.”