This is the dynamic account of one of the most destructive maritime actions to take place in Connecticut history: the 1814 British attack on the privateers of Pettipaug, known today as the British Raid on Essex. During the height of the War of 1812, 136 Royal marines and sailors made their way up the Connecticut River from warships anchored in Long Island Sound. Guided by a well-paid American traitor the British navigated the Saybrook shoals and advanced up the river under cover of darkness. By the time it was over, the British had burned twenty-seven American vessels, including six newly built privateers. It was the largest single maritime loss of the war. Yet this story has been virtually left out of the history books-the forgotten battle of the forgotten war. This new account from author and historian Jerry Roberts is the definitive overview of this event and includes a wealth of new information drawn from recent research and archaeological finds. Lavish illustrations and detailed maps bring the battle to life.

PrologueFORGOTTEN BATTLELoser's DayDECATUR'S WARBlockadeThe Privateers of PettipaugThe TraitorTHE RAIDGoing InThe LandingIN THE HEART OF THE ENEMY'S COUNTRYDeal, Or No Deal?Conspiracy TheoryThe BurningResistanceSpilled Rum and the ForgottenSwordTHE SHIPSCoote's List of Burned ShipsThe OsageHow Far?Mystery ShipsGETTING OUTCaptain GloverParry Holds the KeyTorpedo JackOutward BoundMajor ElyIN THE RIVERMobilization"At Defiance"THE END GAMEThe GauntletAFTER THE BATTLEPostscriptsThe Traitor UnmaskedAdmiral Richard Coote?StoningtonFIGHTING FOR THE LOST BATTLEOff the RadarBattle Site EssexTHE PROBLEM WITH HISTORYBattlefield ArchaeologyBallast Stone & Dropped BallsBattle Site RevisitedEssex (Pettipaug)Old LymeSaybrookAPPENDIX ONE: PRIMARY DOCUMENTSFROM THE BRITISH ADMIRALTY DOCUMENTSThe Report of Captain Richard Coote to Captain CapelMajor Ely's Surrender Note to CooteCoote's Report ContinuesCaptain Capel to Captain Talbot, HMS VictoriousVice Admiral Cochrane to CrokerLieutenant Parry's TranscriptionAMERICAN FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTSCaptain Jeremiah GloverLieutenant Bull's AccountGeneral William Williams' AccountA Gentleman from LymeSelectmen of Saybrook to Governor SmithAMERICAN NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTSConnecticut GazetteMiddlesex GazetteConnecticut SpectatorNew York Commercial AdvertiserAmerican MercuryConnecticut SpectatorAPPENDIX TWO: ORDER OF BATTLEBritish Raid on Essex, April 7-8, 1814AcknowledgementsNotes and SourcesIntroductionChapter NotesBibliographyIndex