A children's story set during the Battle of St. Michaels, which was an engagement contested on August 10, 1813, during the War of 1812. British Soldiers attacked the American militia at St. Michaels, Maryland, which is located on Maryland's Eastern Shore with access to the Chesapeake Bay. According to local legend, the citizens of St. Michaels hung lanterns in the trees to fool the British artillerists, causing them to overshoot most of the town's buildings.
Story synopsis:
Barnaby Sharpe likes climbing trees - he is practicing to be a ship's captain and will need to climb masts someday. One early evening during the War of 1812, he is sitting in a tall oak tree, hoping to be the first to catch sight of the British warships that are expected to bombard St. Michaels, Maryland. In an unusual turn of events, Barnaby's tree climbing leads him to a brilliant idea to outwit the British.
30 pages. Written by Brenda Seabrooke. Illustrated by Howard M. Burns. Hardcover book size: 7 x 10 in. Reader age 5 - 8 years.