The Hornet's Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War

This novel follows the Revolutionary War as it was fought in the Deep South, with deep divides as family and friends choose sides. Carter chronicles these divides through his characters. The St. Augustine connection involves Lt. Thomas Brown, who after travelling to South Carolina, is told by his superior to go to Florida for his health to recover from his injuries. He does, and in October of 1775, he arrives in the Ancient City to slowly begin recovering from having been tarred and feathered by Patriots in Augusta, Georgia. Once able, he joins the Florida Rangers to gather vital intelligence for the British Army, as well as persuading some Indigenous tribes to join the fight against the rebellious colonists. No quarter will be given, and St. Augustine's strategic location means the war in the South hinges on what happens in the 14th and only loyal Colony. Meanwhile, the fighting continues in South Carolina and Georgia and the war touches the lives of everyone.

Several historical personages are featured in this novel, including but not limited to Governor Patrick Tonyn, General Cornwallis, Major General Augustine Prevost, Lord William Campbell, William Henry Drayton, and Daniel "Dirt" McGirth. Chapter 32 is devoted to the forgotten Florida Revolutionary War "battle" at Alligator Creek near Callahan, Nassau Co., FL.

Local locations visited or mentioned in the text include the St. Francis Barracks, the Fort St. Marks (Castillo de San Marcos), Fort Matanzas and the Tolomoto/Matanzas River, the St. Johns River, and the St. Augustine Beach.

Jimmy Carter was the 39th President of the United States (1977-1981).

PS3553 .A78144 H67 2003

This item is part of the Circulating Collection and can be checked out with a valid Flagler ID. Non-Flagler affiliates will need to request this book through their local library's Inter-Library Loan program.

The Hornet's Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War

Amy Hill, designer
David Cain, map draftsman

New York: Simon & Schuster

Hardcover book

English

Action or Adventure
Historical
Race Relations
Romance

British Period

Purchased

Available for free on Internet Archive.

Carter, Jimmy. The Hornet's Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003.