Sunday, January 26, 2025

AR-SP29 Book Discussion: All Ye That Pass By: Gone for a Soldier


Our January 2025 round table discussion was a conversation with Avellina Balestri, author of the historical fiction novel Gone for a Soldier, the first book in her trilogy All Ye That Pass By. The book follows the story of a young English Catholic man named Edmund Southworth, or Ned, during the time of the American Revolution. 

Rather than provide a full length transcript, I've generated and personally edited this AI summary of our discussion.  Please contact me if you would prefer a full transcript.

The historical context of Catholics in England:

Catholics were a minority in England, with the highest concentration in the north, like the county of Lancashire, where Ned is from.

They faced legal limitations, such as being unable to vote, serve in office, or join the military.

Many Catholic families had been impacted financially by laws limiting their freedoms and were only "hanging on by a thread".

Some families converted to the Anglican faith to avoid further persecution, and to gain better access to money, titles and positions in Parliament.

These restrictions were a way for the government to pressure noble families, who were enabling lower-class Catholics to avoid prison, into giving up their faith.

Some Catholic families maintained secret places to hide priests and hold masses.

Ned's story:

Ned's family is in a precarious situation due to debt after his father's death.

Ned meets General John Burgoyne, who had borrowed money from Ned's father, and who helps Ned's family financially.

Burgoyne takes Ned to London, where he meets a number of people who become involved in the American Revolution.

Ned feels a sense of loyalty to the government, despite the way Catholics are treated, and decides to convert to Anglicanism.

Ned joins the military and Burgoyne's staff for the Saratoga campaign.

Ned meets a patriot woman named Abigail Vanderkamp, who provides a different perspective on the conflict.

Ned's story also explores themes of faith, loyalty, and identity.

The Saratoga Campaign:

The campaign was part of a larger British plan to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies.

General Burgoyne secured command of the campaign by criticizing General Carlton, who was seen as too timid.

The British plan was for Burgoyne to advance from Canada and meet General Howe in Albany, but Howe never came to Albany.

The campaign suffered from a number of issues, including poor intelligence, and an underestimation of the patriot forces.

The British also misjudged the support they would receive from loyalists and Native Americans.

The capture of Fort Ticonderoga was initially seen as a major victory for the British, but it did not lead to a quick end to the campaign.

The British faced numerous challenges, including sabotage by American militia.

The campaign became a "nightmare" for the British, turning into a "wilderness folk horror".

Other historical figures discussed:

General Thomas Gage, whose family had been famously Catholic, but had converted to Anglicanism.

General Simon Fraser, a Scottish Highlander who served in the British army.

Major John Pitcairn, who was killed at Bunker Hill.

Lord George Augustus Howe, who died during the French and Indian War and was viewed as a hero of his age.

Major John Andre, who was a "genuinely decent guy", an artist, and a man of faith.

The impact of Saratoga:

The British defeat at Saratoga led to the passage of Catholic relief acts, allowing Catholics to join the British army and inherit land.

The Gordon Riots were a Protestant reaction to pro-Catholic legislation.

Other topics discussed:

The diverse experiences of Quakers during the war, with some remaining pacifist and others leaning towards either the loyalist or patriot sides.

The complexities of people's allegiances during the war, including how some people who had been persecuted by the government still felt loyal to it.

The role of ego and ambition in the military leadership of both the British and Continental armies.

The conversation also included some commentary on the AMC show Turn.

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Get the book: All Ye That Pass By: Book 1: Gone for a Soldier, by Avellina Balestri 

More about the author: https://avellinabalestri.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avellina.balestri

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