Bernard Cornwell returns to American historical fiction with his latest novel, The Fort, a story of courage, strength and patriotism centred on the largest naval clash of the American Revolutionary War.

While the major fighting of the war moves to the south in the summer of 1779, a British force of fewer than a thousand Scottish infantry, backed by three sloops-of-war, sails to the desolate and fog-bound coast of New England.

Establishing a garrison and naval base at Penobscot Bay, in the eastern province of Massachusetts, which would become Maine, the Scots — the only British troops between Canada and New York — harry rebel privateers and give shelter to American loyalists.

In response, Massachusetts sends a fleet of more than 40 vessels and about a thousand infantrymen to “captivate, kill or destroy” the foreign invaders. Second-in-command is Peleg Wadsworth, a veteran of the battles at Lexington and Long Island, once aide to General Washington, and a man who sees clearly what must be done to expel the invaders.

But ineptitude and irresolution lead to a mortifying defeat and have stunning repercussions for two men on opposite sides — an untested 18-year-old Scottish lieutenant named John Moore, who will begin an illustrious military career; and a Boston silversmith and patriot named Paul Revere, who will face court-martial for disobedience and cowardice.

*Based on media release issued by Harper Collins.

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The Fort, by Bernard Cornwell | 480pp paperback $32.99 | Published November 2010 by HarperCollins.