Colonel Henry Ludington: A Memoir

This memoir brings to life the remarkable yet often overlooked contributions of a New York militia colonel who helped keep the volatile Hudson‑Highland corridor open during the Revolution. Through vivid descriptions of the rugged borderlands between British‑held New York City and the American strongholds, the narrative shows how his regiment guarded vital supply routes and communication lines, playing a role that sometimes rivaled the Continental Army itself. The early chapters trace his early military service, his rise to colonel, and the challenges of defending a region steeped in intrigue and danger.

Drawing on a wealth of original documents, letters, and family records, the author reconstructs Ludington’s public career and personal world with careful detail. Illustrated with period maps, commissions, and household artifacts, the book offers a tangible sense of the era—from the grist mill he built to the mahogany table that hosted Washington and Rochambeau. Readers gain a nuanced portrait of a dedicated officer whose steadfast leadership helped shape the young nation’s fight for independence.