Rangers and Redcoats on the Hudson: Exploring the Past on Rogers Island. Includes the Complete Rogers Rules of Ranging. / Edition 1

by David R. Starbuck

Overview

From 1991 to 1998 archeologist David Starbuck conducted excavations on Rogers Island, one of the most significant military encampments of the French and Indian War. Located in the Hudson River in what is now the town of Fort Edward, Rogers Island was once home to thousands of British "redcoats" as well as hundreds of "rangers"—irregular American colonial fighters. In fact, the island is named for its association with the famed Major Robert Rogers, leader of Rogers’ Rangers and noted author of "Rules of Ranging," his brief code-of-conduct for colonial guerrilla fighters written while encamped on the island. Rogers Island was one of the longest occupied and populous training camps of the French and Indian War and contains the remains of barracks, tents, storehouses, and hospitals. As such, the island offers unique and fascinating insights into the daily life of colonial soldiers.

Writing in a lively and accessible style, Starbuck presents the findings of his many digs while retelling the history of the island and its many inhabitants. In addition to re-creating the world of the colonial soldier, he shares island myths, stories of treasure seekers, and information about his exhumation in 2003 of the remains of Jane McCrea, the young woman who was killed and scalped in Fort Edward during the American Revolution. Most importantly, Starbuck shows us how archeology works as the energetic collection and interpretation of sherds and fragments that make expand our knowledge of one historical time and place.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781584653783
Publisher:	University Press of New England
Publication date:	05/01/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

DAVID R. STARBUCK is the author of Massacre at Fort William Henry (UPNE, 2002), The Great Warpath: British Military Sites from Albany to Crown Point (UPNE, 1999), and the forthcoming Neither Plain nor Simple: New Perspectives on the Canterbury Shakers, and he is co-author of A Shaker Family Album (UPNE, 1998). He is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Plymouth State University.

Table of Contents

	Preface	ix
	Chronology of Fort Edward and Rogers Island	xiii
Chapter 1.	The Prehistory of Rogers Island	1
	Excavations at the Little Wood Creek Site	4
	The Discovery of a Prehistoric Grave in 1991	10
Chapter 2.	The History of Rogers Island During the French and Indian War	13
	Major Robert Rogers and His Rangers	16
	Excerpts from the Diary of an Ordinary Soldier, Jabez Fitch, Jr.	20
Chapter 3.	Rogers Island from the 1760s to 1990: The Fascination Begins	22
	Remembering Earl Stott, the Longtime Owner of Rogers Island	26
Chapter 4.	Modern Archeology on Rogers Island in the 1990s	31
	The Learning Channel Films on Rogers Island	44
Chapter 5.	British and American Military Architecture	47
Chapter 6.	Evidence for Early Health Care on Rogers Island: The Search for the Smallpox Hospital	68
Chapter 7.	Historical Artifacts Discovered on Rogers Island in the 1990s	78
Chapter 8.	Archeology at Other Military Sites in Fort Edward	94
Chapter 9.	Conclusions, Future Work, and What to See in Fort Edward	113
	The Rogers Island Visitors Center	116
Appendix 1.	Artifact Totals for Rogers Island, 1991-1998	121
Appendix 2.	Ceramics Excavated by Feature on Rogers Island, 1991-1998	127
Appendix 3.	Tobacco Pipes Excavated by Feature on Rogers Island, 1991-1998	133
	Further Reading	135
	Index	137

Editorial Reviews

“This well-illustrated book is a must for those interested in the military history of the French and Indian War.”—Choice

“It is appropriate to applaud the excellent production values of this volume. The illustrations, excellent writing style, binding, sidebars, and cover art all combine to make an attractive book . . . I recommend Rangers and Redcoats . . . an enjoyable and informative read.”—Journal of Middle Atlantic Archaeology

“Ground-breaking . . . the first holistic account of recent excavations on Rogers Island, Fort Edward's famous French and Indian War military encampment.”—The Post-Star (Glenns Falls, NY)

“This would be an excellent choice for young students to interest them in the wonderful world of archaeology!”
—Smoke and Fire News

From the Publisher