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Flight from Monticello: Thomas Jefferson at War

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"Flight from Monticello," by journalist Michael Kranish, is a narrative history of the worst year of Thomas Jefferson's life: 1781, his last year as governor of Virginia, when a British invasion forced the government of Virginia to relocate from Richmond to Charlottesville, and nearly resulted in the capture of Jefferson himself. Jefferson never lived it down, and even at the end of his life was still concerned to defend his gubernatorial conduct against charges of incompetence and even of personal cowardice.

Jefferson's governorship occupies the last 200 pages of Kranish's book; the first 100 pages recount Jefferson's history from his student days in Williamsburg through the Revolution, as background to understanding the events of 1781. Kranish adopts an objective tone throughout; rather than personally assigning blame or praise, he mostly lets Jefferson and his contemporaries speak for themselves. Kranish's own opinion acknowledges Jefferson's faults as a war leader but allows for extenuating circumstances. For example, when writing about the British invasion of Richmond (pp. 256-257), Kranish says: "Jefferson, who later would be accused by enemies of cowardice during the invasion, in fact remained in Richmond even as many other government leaders refused to show up... Whether the complaint [that Jefferson was a weak governor] had merit or not, the failure in Virginia went beyond Jefferson's lack of authority; legislators, councilors, and thousands of draft resisters shared the blame."

"Flight from Monticello" is more than the story of Thomas Jefferson's governorship; Kranish provides much collateral information about the Revolutionary War in Virginia, the situation of Blacks, the economics of war, and a parade of personalities that includes such notables as Benjamin Harrison, Patrick Henry, the Marquis de Lafayette, Benedict Arnold, and Lord Cornwallis. We see Lafayette gallantly refusing to allow his sharpshooters to assassinate Benedict Arnold, and the same Benedict Arnold then distinguishing himself in action as a British general.

The book's thoroughness, objectivity, and insight, and the American people's lasting interest in Thomas Jefferson the man, make "Flight from Monticello" a book that every Revolutionary War buff will want to own.

Today people are convinced that politicians all trail a cloud of scandal, and today people are starting to see the founding fathers that way, too, in particular Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was often beset by controversy, but the most enduring controversy in his public career during his lifetime had nothing to do with slavery or with Sally Hemings. It had to do with his service as governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781, two of the most difficult years of the American Revolutionary War. As his second term was ending, the British invaded Virginia, sought to capture the state's government and its governor, and nearly succeeded. Did Jefferson show cowardice? Was he woefully inadequate to the job? Did he deserve the Virginia legislature's vote to hold an inquiry into his conduct -- or the shame-faced resolution of thanks that they later adopted instead of holding the inquiry?

Michael Kranish illuminates this turbulent and painful episode in FLIGHT FROM MONTICELLO, a well-written, solidly-researched, and thoughtful assessment of Jefferson's role in the coming the Revolution, his evolving political career, his attempts to balance his duty to his country with his duty to his family (in particular, his wife Martha, whose frequent pregnancies sapped her fragile health), and hsi struggles to stand by his political principles when increasingly some of them came to conflict with strategic and tactical reality. Kranish ably reminds us just how difficult it was in the late eighteenth century to fight a war with unreliable intelligence, inadequate sources of information, and a constitution that gave the governor a great deal of responsibility with pitifully little power to carry those responsibilities out. As a veteran political journalist, Kranish has all the skills -- research, synthesis, and writing -- to produce an exemplary work of popular history that will satisfy scholars, and he has done so.

In sum, Kranish acquits Jefferson of the charge of cowardice but takes him to task for his idealism (which led him ot place greater reliance on the spontaneous uprising of the militia and the Virginia citizenry than his own knowledge and experience would have warranted), his occasional hesitancy to decide, and his optimism (which regularly led him to view events as being in a better state than they actually were).

Kranish notes that Jefferson was far better at dealing with the conceptual level of politics than with the challenges of administration in a time of crisis. My own study of the man -- THOMAS JEFFERSON [Oxford U. Press, 2003] -- substantiates that view as well. Jefferson was at his best when he was able to shape events; he was far less effective when he had to respond to rapidly-moving events beyond his power to control.

All told, a valuable book, both entertaining and enlightening.

For anyone interested in Jefferson, this book fills a really fascinating, and usually under appreciated time, of Jefferson's stress time as governor of Virginia when the militia in Virginia were under equipped and man power was limited while the British invade Virginia. As noted by the author, Jefferson was criticized by members of the Virginia Assembly for being ill prepared to defend the Commonwealth during the British invasion that not only took Richmond, Petersburg, Norfolk, and Portsmouth but also almost captured the legislature and Jefferson himself in Charlottesville and Monticello respectively. Although Jefferson took time to get his family under way, he returns to Monticello to gather papers narrowly missing the British cavalry under Tarleton. The author provides a brief early history and his association with Patrick Henry, who after the war becomes a life long nemesis. The author not only provides an excellent profile of Virginia during the war, the early heroics of Virginians chasing Lord Dunmore early on during the separation from Briton but also captures the burning of Norfolk by patriots to keep it out o British hands, detailing the weariness the wars effects had on the population, crippling the militia and supplies. In addition, of course, Benedict Arnold is a major part of the book as his greatest achievements as a British Officer is his time in VA. where he successfully travels up the James almost uncontested to Richmond opening the door for greater risk taking by the British leading to Cornwallis' arrival and command. Of note is Jefferson's fear that a governor could have too much executive power and assisted in limiting a post Britain governor's power that ironically haunts him as governor during the war. His inability to be a strong executive exercising wartime powers is fascinating due to his own self-limitations but good intentions. Troubled by militia that was disbanding in many areas, lacking weapons, attempting to provide men to the Continental Army, lacking strong navy, Indian problems with the British coming and going virtually unchallenged was beyond any governor's ability. One has to wonder if a charismatic leader such as Patrick Henry could do better in time of crisis. The other part of the controversy was Jefferson ending his term at the high point of the British invasion, distracted by family needs. This opened the challenge to his abilities as governor that never completely healed. Adding to the depth of the Virginia story is the arrival of Lafayette, who was preceded by General Von Steuben. One criticism, much is made of the once modest friendship between Jefferson and Henry that turns bitter after accusation of Jefferson's conduct during the war; yet there is little mention of Henry during Jefferson's tenure as governor. That one fascinating detail seems left out particularly since Henry had the ability to rally men to a cause; however, limited in leading it. Thus, one has to wonder why Jefferson never called on Henry to help rally the militia in time of need. One respectful note is the role that Thomas Nelson holds in the field and after Jefferson as governor, although given more power by the legislature, mixes no bones about executive authority in time of war.

Everybody knows how Thomas Jefferson turned out, but how did he get to be the man in the famous JFK line? At a White House dinner of Nobel Laureates, JFK stated "This is the greatest collection of intellect at the White House since Thomas Jefferson dined here alone."

Everyone also knows about the Jefferson of the Declaration and the Jefferson of the White House, but what about the Jefferson of the Virginia Statehouse? This is the story that Michael Kranish tells in "Flight from Monticello," and it's a story worth telling and story worth reading.

And what a story it is, told by an up-and-coming master storyteller in a fluid, focused and entertaining style. His primary-source research is evident in the details and nuances of his prose. So sit down and have a good read and discover the man you've studied your whole life. It's a great popular history that isn't too popular for the serious reader.

If you liked David McCullough's 1776 or David Liss' The Whiskey Rebels: A Novel you'll love "Flight from Monticello."

Previous treatments of the life of Thomas Jefferson have inevitably focused upon his genius, his library, his reluctant politics, his life at Monticello. Never have we seen the military side of this fascinating man. Kranish teaches us things we never knew about Jefferson. A fascinating read for the lover of history and lover of great literature. Kranish is a writer to watch in the future.

In "Flight From Monticello" author Michael Kranish presents an excellent history of the Revolutionary War in Virginia. It is an enticing story which is often overlooked in general Revolutionary books which often focus, until the conclusion at Yorktown, on Northern theatres.

This book tells the story of the War in Virginia from the false security of periods of relative inactivity, through the terror of invasion and to the relief of victory following the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Kranish does an excellent job of depicting the important aspects of the story: politicians and soldiers, patriots and traitors, families and slaves. Many characters crowd its stage: Patrick Henry, Lord Cornwallis, Benedict Arnold, George Washington, Lafayette, and the fathers of two presidents, Benjamin Harrison and John Tyler, Sr.

Thomas Jefferson is the major character in this book. It relates, in detail, this important segment of his life and career during which he balanced the demands of a family stalked by frailty and disease, a wartime governorship for which he was ill-prepared and a commonwealth which demanded an adequate defense for which it was unable to pay. This is a time which could, and almost did, end the public career of Thomas Jefferson before he had made many of his most important public contributions. His term as governor spawned criticisms which almost led to legislative investigations. Jefferson later returned to the legislature primarily to defend himself from the charges. I find the sections dealing with Jefferson's interaction with POWS held in Albemarle County to be particularly interesting. Rather than treating them as enemies, Jefferson saw the officers as fellow cultured gentlemen with whom he played music and shared his company.

Other important characters are featured in this work. Patrick Henry, who as Jefferson's predecessor as governor promoted Western expansion, was his political ally until turning on his successor. Benedict Arnold, of whom Jefferson had been strong supporter, would return as a British general leading an invading force. Lafayette plays a role as a leader of the American forces resisting the invasion. Lord Cornwallis is introduced as one who voted against the Stamp Act and whose trap in Yorktown would set up the effective end of the war. The reader comes to understand how the unraveling of the invasion led to the surrender at Yorktown.

This book is not merely a recitation of the deeds of great historic personalities, but also familiarizes the reader with the social forces with which Jefferson and other leaders had to contend. We gain an understanding of the relationships between the regular army Continental forces and the part time state militia. Kranish explains the stresses between the Congress which issued draft calls, but could not defend Virginia from invasion, and the state, which was reluctant to send its men and material to fight elsewhere. Jefferson had to contend with AWOL militiamen and a depleted treasury while repeatedly moving the capitol to remain a few steps ahead of the British. Discontent resulting from extended militia deployments remains as serious of a problem for contemporary leaders as it was for Jefferson. This book also reminds us that the Revolution was a Civil War in which Americans fought on both sides. It is easy to understand how Benedict Arnold's call to follow him into the service of the King could have been an appealing one, especially when the King seemed to be winning.

"Flight From Monticello" is a partial biography of Thomas Jefferson, but it is much more than that. It is also an outstanding study of the Virginia theatre of the Revolutionary War. By combining these qualities, it makes itself an indispensable read for any student of Thomas Jefferson, the Revolutionary War, or the history of Virginia.

As someone who has worked in Virginia's Civil War History for sometime, I didn't realize how sparse my knowledge of Virginia's involvement in the Revolutionary War was until I read this book. Flight From Monticello is filled with politics, spies, intrigue, jealousy, villains, heroes, and battles on land and sea.

Benedict Arnold's service to both the British and American armies made for very interesting reading. After his defection, Arnold went on to cause havoc along the Virginia's shore. In fact, under George Washington's orders another man by the name of John Champ (from Loudoun County) was asked to fake defecting to the British in order to help in the possible capture of Arnold.

The destruction of Norfolk was caused at first by the British invasion and later by the American militia. The British wanted to own the port and the Americans wanted to destroy the houses and the ships so that the British couldn't use them. Also, the British sympathizers were a huge consideration for both sides. It was difficult for the British to protect the Tories and their properties since they were mingled throughout Norfolk and of course, the whole state.

Thomas Jefferson was and will always be an amazing and admirable person to me. When he took on the office as Governor of Virginia, he admitted that he was not a military man and did not pretend to know how to conduct a war. As Governor, he had to deal with more than a few problems. One being that Virginia was already at war on the Western part of the state with the Indians. Also, many Virginians had already served in the army during some of the earlier battles in the North. Jefferson asked for military help from the North more than a few times.

When Virginia itself, became a battlefield, they faced many problems. Virginia's militia was not stable. They didn't have enough uniforms, rifles or horses. The men would leave service after a few months to take care of their families and there was little or no money to pay the soldiers. When the British invasion finally came the Virginians were ill prepared. The British had professional soldiers who were all well armed, fed and riding the very best horses. Also, one of the main goals of the British was to capture Governor Thomas Jefferson! It was the worst of times for Jefferson, he and the other legislators all fled. Jefferson was governor from 1779 to 1781. During the war years Martha, his wife, was pregnant and in frail health. In fact, during that time frame, the Jefferson's lost two children. When Martha herself died in 1782 at the age of 32 years old, she was survived by only three of her six children.

For the rest of his life, Thomas Jefferson had to defend his actions as Virginia's war Governor. In fact, he left several written documents on the subject. I don't think that any president, governor or leader would stay at a place that could not be defended and when there was a good chance he and his family would be captured.

I believe Michael Kranish did a superb job in both his research and writing. I think he tried to be objective and fair. However, in my opinion, the main title of the book should have been THOMAS JEFFERSON AT WAR and not FLIGHT FROM MONTICELLO.

This book is about the Revolutionary War, but it's only about what takes place in the state of Virginia, which Thomas Jefferson didn't leave after the initial business of the Continental Congress. Most of the war's big battles took place elsewhere, to the north in New York, Pennsylvania and surrounds, and to the south in the Carolina area. But Virginia was important for other reasons, not the least of which was that the British badly wanted to capture Jefferson for the publicity.

There is immense detail in this book, but it's not dull reading at all, and for a couple weeks I've been boring people with tidbits of fascinating information. For example, most people know that colonists rebelled against taxation without representation, but an almost equal irritant, and reason for the revolution, was that Britain prohibited colonist settlements beyond the Appalachians. The British had established relationships with many Indian tribes and didn't want an Indian War (not the least because it had just finished with the very expensive French and Indian War, where Indians mostly allied with the French). As a matter of fact, most western Indian tribes allied with the British during the Revolutinary War. The colony of Virginia fought the war on two fronts, the British to the east and Indians to the west.

Another irritant to the colonists was the requirement to pay taxes to support the Anglican Church in America, because Anglican was the state church of England. You had to buy a license to preach in another Christian denomination or another religion. [Incidentally, this is not in this book, but when the form of the constitution was debated, there were strong feelings in favor of a state church (not Anglican), and the biggest dissenters were the Baptists, who were then a minority. How things change.]

The American militia burned down the bustling Virginia port city of Norfolk, including 1,300 houses, so that the British governor could not use it as a base. Rumors started that the British did it, and Jefferson publicly wrote that the burning of Norfolk was another reason to fight the war. In 1776, an offical Virigina enquiry was made into the disaster, and it's findings were immediately suppressed and not made public until 1836. This isn't to say that the British, over the course of the war, didn't burn down their share of buildings.

Britain might have had indentured servitude, deportation to Australia and hearty enforcement of India's caste system, but it didn't have legal slavery. During the war, thousands of slaves ran away and took the British uniform. In Virginia, most of them seemed to have died of smallpox rather than battle.

The full story of Benedict Arnold, who turned traitor in Virginia, is immensely interesting. What a flawed figure.

Lastly, I recommend this book as another reminder of how amazing it was that the revolution was pulled off. There were so many reasons why it shouldn't have worked. In May, 1779, Jefferson was elected governor of Virginia, in the midst of a war and a drought, with a nearly bankrupt state and continental congress. About one in five Virginian militiamen had a working weapon. Except for some small caches of weapons, Jefferson wrote, "we have no other resource but a few scattered squirrel guns, rifles, etc., in the hands of the western people" [who didn't want to be called up due to worry about the Indian attacks in their part of Virginia].

Recommended reading!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote and portrayed Paul Revere as a mythical hero during his "Midnight Ride" through Massachusetts that would be engraved into American folklore. Indeed, the British were coming, and they continued during the early stages of the Revolutionary War throughout New England and well into 1781 throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, especially Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Historian Michael Kranish takes another leap into the history and events surrounding the life of the illustrious Founding Father Thomas Jefferson and his attempts to outmaneuver the British from taking the capital at Richmond as depicted in FLIGHT FROM MONTICELLO: THOMAS JEFFERSON AT WAR. Kranish provides a comprehensive history of this period and the major events surrounding Jefferson's leadership. But it is the history of Virginia, which is fully covered as it significantly relates to her part in this revolutionary part of history, especially two prominent colonial cities, Norfolk, comparable to Philadelphia, and Williamsburg as well as outlying regions within Virginia that were greatly affected by war years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and later laying an imprint upon the heels of the preparation of the US Constitution.

The book exceptionally captures time and place as well as the key figures that were at the helm of Jefferson's command. Major General Frederick William von Steuben is one of several colorful figures that Kranish examines. He was one of the most influential officers during the Revolutionary War and the Seven Year's War, gained accolades with Washington who appointed him inspector general, and highly regarded by Jefferson who considered him a "savior." But within Kranish's narrative, one can see the once favorable relationship between one of Jefferson's commanding officers, Benedict Arnold, become a bitter battle between the two men after he betrays Jefferson and takes loyalties with the British that would be the thorn to Jefferson's side; one of the motivating factors to move the British out of Virginia to his best ability and in order to capture and deter essential perpetrators, Arnold, William Philips, and Lord Charles Cornwallis and their invasion of the state, by employing important individuals, Marquis de Lafayette the "boy general" and Steuben. But the major premise of the book is one that sheds light on the missteps that took place prior to the invasion and the aftermath that would show the less than stellar leadership and decision-making that took place throughout the ordeal on Jefferson's part.

FLIGHT FROM MONTICELLO adds another dimension to the understanding of the birth of the United States away from colonial ties to the establishment of a sovereign nation and state that spotlights the strengths as well as the weaknesses that existed during this event. The book may appeal to history and Jefferson aficionados, but most importantly, those who never grow tired of reading about this part of history that teaches lessons of the past are still important and relevant.

You will find out new things about our founding Father that you didn't know. Jefferson is probably one of the most examined figures in American History but Kranish manages to cover a part of his career that is oft left dark and ignored and illuminate it with an eye toward the truth of the man. Very satisfying to both the historian and the dramatist in me. I do not believe you will regret the purchase.