Shadow Patriots

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name = Shadow Patriots
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author = Lucia St. Clair Robson
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country = United States
language = English
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genre = Historical novel
publisher = Forge Books
release_date = 1 May 2005
media_type = Print (Hardcover)
pages = 336 pp (first edition, hardback)
isbn = ISBN 0-7653-0550-X (first edition, hardback)
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"Shadow Patriots" is 2005 historical novel by Lucia St. Clair Robson. It tells of the Culper Ring, a group of George Washington's spies operating out of New York City during the Revolution. The story includes familiar names -- Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benedict Arnold, Peggy Shippen -- and one unfamiliar number, the mysterious Spy 355. 355 was the Culpers' code for "lady," and after 225 years she remains a nameless heroine who, many historians believe, died for her country.

The Culpers transported their intelligence from British-occupied Manhattan to Setauket, then across Long Island Sound to Washington's troops in Connecticut. The book covers more than secret codes, invisible ink, double agents, and aliases. An estimated 11,500 American soldiers died in British custody here. "The prison ship martyrs," as they're called, are part of this story, as well as intrigue in Philadelphia, the battles of Brooklyn, Monmouth, and Stony Point, the betrayal of West Point, and the hardships of the winter encampments at Valley Forge and Morristown.

Shadow Patriots creates a plausible reality for these historical figures and the Culpers--it's history Americans didn't learn about in school.

Excerpt from "Shadow Patriots"

:"There was nothing sweet about the Livingston Sugar House. The old refinery stood near the blackened ruins of Trinity Church, but it was as ungodly as it was bitter. The stone building rose five stories high. The heads of American prisoners of war jammed every small, barred window. They stood with the shortest in front and the tallest behind, each man trying to breathe fresh air. While they were about it they lowered baskets and shouted requests for food at passersby, but most people gave them a wide berth."

:"All of New York stank, but the stench from its six prisons had longitude and latitude, magnitude and attitude. No one went near any of them unless impelled by love, avarice, or an armed guard. Love drew Kate and Lizzie there."

:"Kate held a lavender-scented handkerchief to her nose and mouth. Lizzie led a sway-backed gray piled with sacks and baskets. Kate’s mother, Rachel, did not want even Almy Buchanan to know that Seth had been captured. Almy’s husband was a prominent Tory. Word that he had connections with a rebel soldier would put him and his household’s welfare in jeopardy."

:"Pale and thin Rachel Darby had dressed and walked to the pawnbroker’s shop. While Kate hovered anxiously around her she had arranged to turn over her family’s possessions as security for a loan to buy food and clothing for Seth. Then she had gone home and taken to her bed again."

:"Now as Kate and Lizzie walked through the debris of the refinery’s loading yard they stared up at the windows. They were so intent on looking for Seth’s red hair among the shaggy, matted heads that they almost collided with an open cart and its canvas-covered load. Lizzie screamed when the cold, rigid fingers of a protruding hand brushed her arm. She scrubbed at the spot with her apron hem."

:"“I pray you halt, good man.” Kate stepped in front of the greasy individual who led the pony bridle. “I would look for my brother among these unfortunate souls.”"

:"“Ye shan’t find any souls here, miss. They’s all gone to a better place.” He crossed himself and spat. “Or a worse one.”"

External links

*For book club discussion points, background information, and an excerpt, see the author's website: [http://www.luciastclairrobson.com/ShadowPatriots.htm "Shadow Patriots"]