His 1997 book concerning the Seven Years’ War, The Battle on Snowshoes, by living history enthusiast Bob Bearor, was so warmly received by both the general public and the reenacting community that the author was encouraged to launch into an effort to produce a second relevant book. This follow‑up work concentrates on the First Battle on Snowshoes between Major Robert Rogers' famous corps of rangers and his French and Indian adversaries in January of 1757 (the 1997 book having been on the March 1758 fight). Also examined is the clash between Anglo and French troops on the landing of Gen. Abercromby's army at the northern end of Lake George, July 1758, that would result in the death of the celebrated Lord Viscount Howe.
More than a narrative of the battles, however brilliantly described, Bearor's Controversy is also an archaeological detective story. In contrast to the Second Battle on Snowshoes and the July 8 Battle of Carillon—the sites of which have been well known for nearly 250 years—the exact locations of the first snowshoe fight and the site of Lord Howe's demise have not been known. Searching with fellow archeo‑detectives Keith Dolbeck, Dan Blanchette and others, Bearor is satisfied that the locations of both sites have at long last been pinpointed.
The tools of discovery in this case have been metal detectors—searching on private property, not on the grounds of the fort reservation—as well as going over the ground ascertaining times, distances and landmarks to be confirmed or denied according to archival documentation. The author also found out that, however popular he may have been in life, Lord Howe's regard among British government officials seemed to evaporate with his death, as, apparently, no effort was made to retrieve his remains from the battlefield, where, as far as evidence suggests, they may remain today in an unmarked grave.
While tempted to explore the subject of the final disposition of the brigadier's remains, the author presses on to other questions raised by the dogged research, woods‑trekking and artifact‑retrieving undertaken by himself and his fellow investigators, giving satisfactory answers to these queries. As with his first book, the author plunged into the woods wearing the garb and equipments of a French Marine ensign, his veteran hunter's eyes and ears gathering insights with which to enhance his vivid descriptions of the horrors in the blood‑stained snow of the La Barbue Creek fight on raquettes and of the clash in the sweltering, insect‑swarming July forest that climaxed in the killing of Lord Howe. Being so garbed and equipped, one can imagine the impact on Bearor and his compatriots upon uncovering various artifacts on the battle sites, such as part of a British‑style musket lock, the discovery confirming the instance of a gunlock smashed by enemy fire in the extant memoirs or Private Brown of Spikeman's Company or of Lt. John Stark.
Illustrated with photos and maps, as well as drawings by Joe Lee, Controversy constitutes a shining example of truly living history "in spades." So much so, that I expect its dissemination will result enrich l8th century, forest‑oriented reenacting, motivating and inspiring both the general public and those of us to whom reenacting is more than just a hobby. Bearor’s The Battle on Snowshoes has already had such an effect, in short order becoming Heritage Book's best‑selling book. It has also been taped for airing on PBS and the History Channel.
Readers can order autographed copies of Controversy directly from Bearor himself at his Adirondack Mountains lodge at: POB 177, Newcomb, NY 12852, the price the same as from Heritage Books in Maryland. Heritage Books, 1540‑E Pointer Ridge Place, Bowie MD 20716. Order online at <www.heritagebooks.com>.
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