viking

Just been reading Bernard Cornwall's book "The Fort". Although Cornwall is a historical fiction writer, his history is quite sound. In the book and in his historical notes at the end of the book, Cornwall states that Paul Revere's actions at Penobscot which was the worst naval disaster in America's history until Pearl Harbor amounted to self interested cowardice.
About the famous poem by Henry Longfellow, Cornwall says, "he(Revere) does not owe his extraordinary fame to Majabigwaduce, nor even to his midnight ride, but to Henry Longfellow's poem....And Americans have been hearing of the midnight ride ever since, oblivious that the poem plays merry hell with the true facts and ascribes to Revere the heroics of other men. This was deliberate; Longfellow writing at the outbreak of the American Civil War was striving to create a patriotic legend, not an accurate history." p448

Now to those of you who will rush to Wikipedia, I can tell you there he is portrayed not as a coward but as a total opposite, a great hero.

So can we have your views please. Preferably back them up with evidence.

Belgarion

Before reading Cornwells book I had only vaguely heard of Revere as some kind of American revolutionary war hero who rode through the night to warn of an approaching British force. I understand Cornwell thoroughly researches each of his books and would be interested to hear our American friends take on this.

Patton

Didn't we just have a similar thread about Paul Revere?

I think pretty much anyone who looks beyond their school textbooks knows the real story behind Paul Revere, a man who essentially earned his pass into the hall of immortals because there isn't much that rhymes Bissell. My feelings on him are rather neutral, a minor player during the revolution. I do feel it's a crime though he has become household name while men like James Otis, Joseph Warren, John Dickinson and to a certain extent Thomas Paine are lost to history.

viking

Patton, just did a quick search. Seems previous thread was on the ride. I am more interested in American history and Revere's actions at Penobscot. As America's greatest naval disaster before Pearl Harbor, I would imagine quite a few Americans would have a view to express. Cornwall does go out of his way to present Revere in a very bad light

Truth or myth in history are things that interest me.

Rongo

I don't know anything at all about Revere's role at Penobscot and would be interested in hearing more. Regarding his ride, the Longfellow poem certainly took poetic license and did some embellishment, but I don't see it as being way out of line. Revere's ride was courageous. He was in fact captured by the British and released, and his horse was taken and he was forced to walk back to Lexington. Of course there were others who rode that night too, but I think the Revere of the poem can be seen as a proxy for them. If it weren't for the poem, most Americans wouldn't know that ANYONE had ridden that night.

Vintersorg

Revere was only credited with this because his name rhymes with "hear".
And no, this is not some kind of joke (though I wish it was).

the story of the midnight ride comes from the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who was not an historian, but a poet.
Historians have debunked the story in the poem.
Let's not forget it was written in 1861 when the USA, for obvious reasons, needed heroes.

Mike McClure

Found this site: The Court-Martial of Paul Revere

sculptingman

He was a decent silversmith.

Patton

No, not a quick search, you just weren't really specific in your first post, therefore neither was I.

Now what specifically is Cornwall's criticisms of Revere? Saltonstall and Lovell were the men in charge so from a military viewpoint, all praise and criticism during the action should fall on them. Saltonstall by all accounts was incompetent and timid commander who failed seize the opportunity to win the fort and orchestrated the comical and disorderly retreat by basically relinquishing command of the navy when he seen the British ships on the horizon. Also keep in mind, the poor quality of soldiers. These men were the remnants of the militia, those weren't picked apart for fighting in more critical theaters of battle.

As for Revere, who was in charge of artillery, he was accused of insubordination (For failure to give up his boat to a superior officer) and cowardice. There is certainty some evidence of the former. After several attempts for a hearing to clear his name, a committee came to the following conclusions.

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" Ques tn 1. Was Lie* Col Paul Revere crityzable for any of his conduct during his stay at Bagaduce, or while he was in, or upon the River Penobscot?

" Answer. Yes.

" 2. What part of Lie* Col Reveres conduct was crityzable?

"Answer. In disputing the orders of Brigadier General Wadsworth respecting the Boat; & in saying that the Brigadier had no right to command him or his boat.
"3. Was Lie* Col Paul Revere s conduct justifyable in leaving River Penobscot, and repairing to Boston, with his Men, without particular orders from his Superior officer?

Answer. No, not wholly justifyable.

Read the ebook The true story of Paul Revere, his midnight ride, his arrest and court-martial, his useful public services by Charles Ferris Gettemy
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Not receiving the answer he desired, he made several requests for a court martial. In 1782 his wish was granted.

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(The Charges)
"For his refusal to deliver a certain Boat to the order of General Wadsworth when upon the Retreat up Penobscot River, from Major Bagwaduce."

"For his leaving Penobscot River without Orders from his Commanding Officer."


(The Verdict)
"The Court finds the first charge against Lieu't Col Paul Revere to be supported (to wit) his refusing to deliver a certain Boat to the Order of General Wadsworth when upon the Retreat up Penobscot River from Major Bagwaduce: but the Court taking into consideration the suddenness of the refusal, and more especially that the same Boat was in fact employed by Lieu't Colo Paul Revere to effect the Purpose ordered by the General as appears by the General's Deposition, are of the Opinion that Lieu't Colo Paul Revere be acquitted of this Charge … On the second charge, the Court considers that the whole army was in great Confusion and so scattered and dispersed, that no regular Orders were or could be given, are of the Opinion, that Lieu't Colo Paul Revere, be acquitted with equal Honor as the other Officers in the same Expedition."

Paul Revere Court-Martial: 1782 - Initial Allegations Against Revere - Inquiry, Charges, Report, and Committee - JRank Articles
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Revere was businessman with a reputation as to protect, like any person with the means to do so, used his influence and wealth to see his name cleared. While certainty not romantically heroic, I've not seen any evidence that Revere's actions at Penobscot were directed by self-interest or were cowardly. He definitely had enemies who pounced on him. I'd be interested in hearing another viewpoint on his conduct however. He was understandably a poor solider, in charge of poor soldiers, and led by poor soldiers.

viking

Thank you Patton and Mike McClure. You have given me some solid reading which, along with Cornwall's assessment, paints an interesting picture. Cornwall also states that some people in the area are scornful of any glory being given to Revere.
As an outsider I was and am interested in how American history books, the standard school texts, see Revere. After all the people erected a statue to the man based on Longfellow's poem more than fact.
At a first reading I can see how Cornwall reached his assessment and what interested him in the Penobscot event.
One thing stands out in Cornwall's book. That is the value of proper and intense military training and the low value to be placed on mercenaries.
I am no expert on American history but I believe Britain suffered two major disadvantages in the War of Independence. One was her long lines of supply and the second and more important was that many of her troops were mercenaries --Hessians. These comment are no more than an aside as my main concern is still Revere and Penobscot.