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Following Their Footsteps: A Chronicle of Benedict Arnold's Expedition
The very first travel guide and the first history in half a century of Benedict Arnold's secret 1775 expedition through the Maine and Canadian wilderness to capture Quebec is the focus of Following Their Footsteps. Published last year by Maine author Stephen Clark, the book combines both a retelling of the expedition story and a mile-by-mile synopsis of Arnold's route as it can be traveled in modern times by car, foot, or canoe — with detailed reference to landmarks, maps, points of interest and side trips. The Arnold Expedition's attack on Quebec ended in defeat but it was one of the most grueling and daring exploits in American military history and one that truly fires the imagination of visitors to Maine, partly because sections of his route are followed by so many travelers today and partly because as Clark describes, "It's still possible to have a taste of the wild like Arnold's men did in Revolutionary days, if you know where to look." Following Their Footstepsguides the reader from Cambridge Common to Newburyport, Massachusetts, then down the coast in small ships to the mouth of the Kennebec River in Maine and upstream as far as Pittston where they 1100 soldiers picked up their poorly constructed (made from green wood) bateaux. After a short stop at Fort Western in Augusta they struggled north through difficult waters, increasingly brutal winter weather, and uncharted lands, eventually crossing to the Dead River, up the Chain of Ponds, through swamps into Quebec Province where at Lake Megantic they followed the Chaudière River north to the St. Lawrence River and the fortified city of Quebec. Published by Clark Books, Following Their Footstepsis presented in a unique two-column format — one the historical account and the other a related travel guide. The book includes many historic illustrations and maps, as well as current photos, and it contains information for educators on how to use the book for field trips. Trails, canoe trips, and present day camp sites are also included. By car, Arnold Trail followers can take local trips along Route 201/the Kennebec River as far north as Caratunk Falls. The Arnold Trail can be picked up again in Eustis on Route 27 north along the Dead River to the Canadian border at Coburn Gore. Markers and placards can be located along both Routes 201 and 27. For a longer and very scenic trip, travelers can continue along the Chaudiere River and across the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City. For more information or to order the book contact Clark Books, 599 Shapleigh Corner Road, Shapleigh, Maine 04076, call 636-1769, or visit the Clark Books web site. | ||
