Drums Along the Mohawk

Lana Borst marries Gilbert Martin and leaves her family's luxurious home behind. They depart for a frontier life on Gil's Deerfield farm in the Mohawk Valley. The move marks the beginning of their struggle to build a new home amid looming conflict.

With the American Revolutionary War erupting, Gil joins the local militia and prepares for the hardships ahead. He leaves day-to-day farm life behind to serve with his neighbors. The family faces an uncertain future as violence intensifies in the valley.

Blue Back arrives to warn the settlers that a Seneca raiding party led by Caldwell is in the valley. Panic and quick planning ensue as people scramble to safety. The warning foreshadows the coming conflict on their doorstep.

In the frenzy to reach safety, the Martins flee to Fort Schuyler as raiders strike nearby farms. Lana, who is pregnant, suffers a miscarriage during the chaotic ride. The family loses their home and dreams as the valley is destabilized.

The raiders devastate Martin's farm, leaving the couple with nothing but their courage. The destruction compounds their hardship as winter approaches. They must find new work to survive the harsh season.

With no home to call their own, the Martins take work on the estate of a wealthy widow, Mrs. McKlennar. They begin rebuilding their lives through labor and neighborly support. This interlude offers a fragile sense of stability amidst ongoing danger.

A period of calm settles over the valley as Mrs. McKlennar’s household prospers and the Martins gain steadier footing. The respite is temporary, but it allows Lana and Gilbert to focus on family life. The community breathes easier, though alarms remain in the distance.

Word arrives that a large Loyalist and Native American force is advancing toward the valley. The militia sets out to intercept, but they are ambushed in a fierce clash at Oriskany. The battle is costly, with heavy casualties and a hard-won defense.

Gil makes it home wounded and delirious from the Oriskany fighting, reflecting the price paid in the valley's defense. Lana’s second pregnancy continues as she gives birth to a son after the danger subsides. The couple endures further hardship as their family grows.

Loyalists and Native Americans mount a new, large-scale attack to take the valley. The settlers retreat to Fort Schuyler, but ammunition runs perilously short and Mrs. McKlennar is mortally wounded. Gil makes a heroic dash to fetch help.

Gil’s daring run to Fort Dayton pays off as nearby forces push back the attackers. Reinforcements arrive just in time to stabilize the defense. The fort’s defenders rally and force the siege back into the wilderness.

With the attackers repelled, the Mohawk Valley remains under control and the settlers endure the lighter threat. A regiment arrives to announce Lord Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown, signaling the war’s end. The villagers begin to look toward a future as part of a new United States.

The war's end opens the door to independence and rebuilding. The settlers envision a future where law, order, and opportunity shape their lives. The valley looks toward a hopeful, uncertain peace.