Rise To Rebellion: A Novel of the American Revolution

London, October 1774

Franklin tells Strahan he feels estranged from his loyalist son, William, the colonial governor of New Jersey. They debate the rights of the colonies versus the authority of the king. Franklin envisions the inevitable end of the British Empire.

December 1774

As Franklin wrestles with the question of satisfying colonial grievance, Lady Howe, the sister of two military commanders, invites him to a game of chess. As they face each other across the chess board, Franklin is distracted by Howe’s beauty. She talks about the “dispute” between America and England, and her brother, Lord Admiral Howe, who is present, offers to act as intermediary between Franklin and the king’s ministers. Howe hands Franklin the official petition to the king from the Continental Congress. Franklin notes the proposed solutions in the document, but Howe, who assumes Franklin is loyal to the king, calls the congress an “outrageous assembly of criminals” (230).

London, February 1775

Franklin is visited by Lord Chatham, a voice of opposition to the king, who intends to petition the crown to reinstate the Massachusetts Charter and “recognize the Continental Congress as a representative body” (243). Chatham claims England is already preparing for war. Franklin agrees to write him a speech for Parliament.

Before the House of Lords, Chatham argues that England’s actions are tyrannical, as the king still derives his power from the will of the governed. After the speech, Lord Dartmouth agrees to consider his petition. The petition, however, is denounced by the Earl of Sandwich, a vocal defender of the king. Parliament votes against Chatham’s petition. War appears inevitable.

Franklin considers leaving England when a letter arrives from his son, William, informing him that his mother, Franklin’s wife, has died. Franklin decides to return to his true home, the colonies.

Boston, April 1775

Gage sends a message to Sam Adams: Stop resisting Gage’s authority in exchange for personal gain. Sam rejects the proposal.

The commander of a new contingent of British marines, Major Pitcairn, suggests that “burning two or three of their towns” (244) will thwart a rebellion. He believes that the military uniform as symbol of British might would be enough to scare off colonists. Gage knows the problem runs deeper than symbolic shows of force, but he is caught between appearing weak and starting a war. Although Pitcairn imagines his 400 marines are more than a match for the “rabble,” Gage knows the colonists have passion and righteous anger on their side.

When Gage’s son, William, dies in London, Margaret falls into deep sadness, wandering the streets of Boston alone. She is overwhelmed by hopelessness for her family and her country. She falls in with a new set of friends. Meanwhile, Gage finally receives the authority from the ministry to use force at his discretion.

Boston, April 18, 1775

As troops prepare for offensive action, silversmith Paul Revere uses his popularity among the wives of British officers to gather intelligence. That night, he meets with Joseph Warren. He passes another comrade, Will Dawes, who whispers that they will meet later “in Lexington.” Warren reports that Gage is sending troops to Lexington to arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock before proceeding on to Concord to confiscate a store of munitions. Revere is tasked with warning Sam and Hancock. As he leaves Warren’s house, Margaret Gage, now a spy for the Sons of Liberty, enters.

Revere crosses the harbor to the mainland. From there, he watches for the signal from a church steeple. When he sees two lanterns, he mounts his horse and rides for Lexington. The British are coming by water. As he rides past farmhouses, he shouts his warning, and colonists arm themselves in preparation.

The Road to Lexington, April 19, 1775

Pitcairn’s march to Lexington is delayed by too few longboats to ferry his 600 troops, who instead cross in groups. The soldiers wade through icy water, attempting a surprise attack. As the troops march across the countryside, they hear church bells—signals to the colonial rebels. They capture a colonial rider who warns them of 500 armed colonists waiting for them on Lexington Green. Pitcairn is not impressed.

Pitcairn grows impatient with the company’s slow progress, so he proceeds with one-fourth of his force. When they reach Lexington, they encounter 40 militiamen facing them across the green. Pitcairn orders them to lay down their muskets and disperse. When they comply, musket fire erupts from the nearby houses. The British fire on the dispersing colonists even as Pitcairn orders them to hold their fire. His order is eventually heard, but several colonists lay dying on the green. In the confusion, Sam Adams and Hancock escaped.

The British march to Concord, the surrounding hills scattered with militiamen. When they reach their destination, the troops are ordered to a local farm to confiscate the munitions. Pitcairn advises caution, to keep the bloodshed to a minimum, but the commander of the full company, Colonel Francis Smith, is eager for battle. As the British forces divide into smaller contingents, Pitcairn sees a line of militiamen forming on a nearby hill—400 well-armed, well-trained men. The contingent guarding the bridge fires first, and the rebels return fire. The British, divided and outnumbered, retreat in panic.

Rebel reinforcements arrive, but there is no further fighting. Pitcairn’s men find no munitions buried at the farm—the colonists have relocated them. As the British march back toward Lexington, they encounter resistance from rebels hiding in a small wood, but the dense trees slow the British pursuit, and the rebels escape. The British are followed by sniper fire, the effect more psychological than physical. Despite reinforcements, the rebels’ guerilla tactics take their toll on the British, who respond by murdering innocent civilians on the road back to Boston.