The second installment in Gavin K. Watt's Revolutionary War trilogy, I
am heartily ashamed picks up where A dirty, trifling piece of
business leaves off. It's a new year with new challenges.
An incredibly fierce Canadian winter was endured before raiding was
resumed against the enemy's frontiers. The rebels' Mohawk region defence
soon fell into disarray when two colonels jousted for control.
Continued negotiations encouraged Vermont to not support the rebellion
and the republic became a haven for loyalists escaping persecution.
Vermont's adherents even felt free to militarily challenge New York.
After the poor results of Ross's October raid, Haldimand chose to alter
his strategy. For years, his native allies had sent small war parties
against the frontiers and, that summer, he gave command of large
projects to First Nations leaders whose methods greatly challenged the
rebels.
A new British ministry announced a cessation of arms in July, soon
followed by peace talks. Despite the ceasefire, Washington ordered an
attack on the new British post at Oswego, which failed miserably.
When Haldimand discovered that the treaty's articles threatened the
security of Canada and made no provisions for the natives or loyalists,
he confessed, "My soul is completely bowed down with grief... I am
heartily ashamed."