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by James Michael Schultz (Author)
This is a true story of American Revolutionary History that has never been written about. To this day, more needs to be uncovered about this Special Civilian-Military Unit, and very little is known about them or put into proper context before the publishing of this book. One can conclude, however, that there is no epic story of heroism, or fame, nor of military intrigue, or of an event etched in history that was a turning point that won the Revolutionary war in some dramatic fashion.
But perhaps - that's the whole point.
It's a story of normal men with righteous temperaments, unconventional talents; the means, and the magnanimity to think independently. All with a zeal to fight for freedom in a way they knew in their hearts how best to serve their country, and die in a time, manner, and place of their choosing - in the hands of Almighty God. To forge their own path and place in history, without acknowledgment. It's a story of self-made, self-driven men with a network of connections and the means to hunt and to kill the enemy - in secret; and in plain sight, but all under the authority of Provincial Congress and the Continental Army.
It's a story of neighbors, families, trading partners, friends, Native Americans, and immigrants from around the world sailing here, daily, in the year 1775. Most seeking to find a land to call their own, but this journey would have to come at a price, and a decision to make. And that price was Freedom; true Freedom. But who will reign in this new world America? Was it the old-world English King? Or, individual citizens which will make up this New World? A government for the people & of the people, or a King's government for a certain kind of people. It was the time to make your choice and decide - then fight to the death for your beliefs.
This was the beginning of AMERICA.
This is a story of a small town on the Hudson River called Rhinebeck, NY. The influence of this little town was more important to our American history than currently appreciated or explored of late. And this little town at this time put it at the crossroads of history & a NEXUS of the Revolution itself.
This is the story of The Silver Greys.
The Units primary mission was to fight against America's 1st Domestic Enemy, the British civilian Loyalists "neighbors, friends, relatives" who remained hidden in our land to subvert the American cause and its fledgeling governmental laws. The Silver Greys protected large territories establishing immense power, and jurisdiction to carry out lawful warrants making them the "tip of the spear" in the ugly business of Domestic Warfare. They surveilled, spied upon, interrogated, arrested, imprisoned, and many Loyalists were executed. Ordinary men fighting other ordinary men - Neighbor vs. Neighbor - enacting new "civil rights"; for the first time; in "real-time".
June 26, 1775 - George Washington said "When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen, and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you in that happy hour when the establishment of American Liberty on the most firm and solid foundations, shall enable us to return to our private stations in the bosom of a free, peaceful and happy country", and "that until domestic threats have been subverted, the American cause lay in peril."
The Silver Grays helped extinguish these domestic threats, and secured the American homeland her Liberties from our enemies both foreign and domestic.
