Book description
Irish-born James FitzGibbon came to Canada with the 49th Regiment to
serve under his hero, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock. After the death of
Brock at Queenston Heights and the capture of Fort George in the War of
1812, FitzGibbon spied on the enemy encampment, disguised as a settler
selling butter. Armed with his intelligence report, the British launched
a surprise night attack, and the Americans were forced to retreat.
With his hand-picked band of Green Tiger guerrillas, Fitz fought to
stop the U. S. raiding parties. Laura Secord alerted him to an impending
attack at Beaver Dams, and with his 50 men and the support of First
Nations warriors, he bluffed the 500-strong American Army into surrender.
Captain Fitz is full of action: battles on land and lakes, the burning
of York (Toronto), the drama of 6,000 American soldiers moving downriver
to attack Montreal, only to be defeated at Cryslers Farm. As well as the
pageantry, theres the misery, suffering, and hunger for honour and glory
-- all part of the War of 1812. Captain Fitz is full of action:
battles on land and lakes, the infamous meeting with Laura Secord and
the burning of York (Toronto). This is a fascinating book for older
children that explores the pageantry of war along with the misery,
suffering and hunger for honor and glory. Enid Swerdfeger Mallory grew
up near the St. Lawrence River and saw the ghosts of Canadian history
passing by. She attended Queen's University, became a social worker and
then a librarian, but always a writer. Her previous books include
Coppermine: The Far North of George M. Douglas
and Robert Service: Under the Spell of the Yukon
. She lives in Peterborough, Ontario.
