Laura Secord

by Leavey, Peggy Dymond

• ISBN13: 9781459703667
• ISBN10: 1459703669
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-06-05
• Publisher: Dundurn Pr Ltd

Summary

After single-handedly dragging her injured husband off the battlefield during the War of 1812, Laura Secord (1775-1868) was forced to house American soldiers for financial support while she nursed him back to health. It was during this time that she overheard the U.S. plan to ambush British troops at Beaver Dam. Through an outstanding act of perseverance and courage in 1813, Laura walked an astonishing 30 kilometres from her home to a British outpost to warn General James FitzGibbon. Despite facing rough terrain, the ever-present danger of being caught by American troops, and rather delicate encounters with Native forces, Laura reached FitzGibbon just in time for the British to prepare and execute an ambush on American military nearby, forcing the U.S. general to surrender. Laura lived a very long time, dying at the age of 93. In her lifetime the government never formally recognized her singular feat of bravery, and much controversy still envelopes her legacy.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. 9
Prologue	p. 11
Child of the Revolution	p. 15
Departure for Upper Canada	p. 28
James Secord, United Empire Loyalist	p. 39
Isaac Brock and the Battle of Queenston Heights	p. 50
A Seasonal War	p. 63
The Green Tiger: Lieutenant James FitzGibbon	p. 76
The Walk to Beaver Dams	p. 85
Ambush in the Beech Woods: The Battle of Beaver Dams	p. 98
Aftermath	p. 106
The Death of Tecumseh	p. 114
The Frontier Burns	p. 120
The Final Battles	p. 130
Family Fortunes	p. 142
The Move to Chippawa	p. 154
The Widow Carries On	p. 165
The Prince's Gift	p. 174
The Heroine and the Controversy	p. 182
Epilogue	p. 195
Chronology of Laura Secord	p. 199
Selected Bibliography	p. 215
Index	p. 219
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