Skip to main content

Was Prevost Idle?

April 2024
1min read

Mr. Forester replies:

I have said that “Prevost stayed idle in his lines” and I see no reason to modify this statement. A divisional general pushed a reconnaissance across the Saranac, presumably to make certain that the Americans were still in their lines; it cannot have been more than a reconnaissance when the casualty list totalled no more than thirtyseven. The two brigades mentioned must have numbered nearly 4,000 men, and any serious move could only have resulted in a loss ten times as great as was actually experienced.

We hope you enjoy our work.

Please support this magazine of trusted historical writing, now in its 75th year, and the volunteers that sustain it with a donation to American Heritage.

Donate