Saturday, January 17, 2009

Our Letter To Congress

Late last year, we sent a letter to the United States Congress. The text is reprinted, below.
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To the Congress of the United States:

This letter addresses a tragic and nearly forgotten incident from the Revolutionary War. We allude to the fate of the brigantine General Arnold, which went aground amidst a dreadful snowstorm (“nor’easter”) on the White Flat off Plymouth Harbor on Christmas Day, 1778. More than 72 men succumbed to the elements, freezing to death in what was clearly the most gruesome loss of life suffered by either side during our nation’s struggle for independence.

We have recently completed a short book entitled, Solved: The Mystery of the General Arnold, in which we explain what happened to the vessel afterwards. Our volume is the first ever devoted to the ill-fated brig and puts to rest decades of controversy about the ship. However, the larger issue -- which is what prompted us to write in the first place – remains.

The brave men serving on board – Captain James Magee’s sailors and the detachment of marines under Captain John Russell – deserve posthumous recognition for the great sacrifice they made. A number, in fact, are technically “MIA’s.” For but a single example, Lt. Fortunatus Bassett is believed to have died on board, since he disappeared from all records thereafter. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether he has “officially” been identified as a casualty.

President Abraham Lincoln observed, “Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.” As the 230th anniversary of this tragedy approaches, we urge Congress to grant these heroes of the American Revolution the recognition which they so richly deserve and for which they paid so dreadful a price.

Respectfully submitted,
The Authors (Lenny Cavallaro, Bob Jannoni, and Lou Cook)