My New Magazine Article: ‘No Ox for Knox?’

American Revolution magazine, Jul 2012, featuring a new article by Derek Beck

My latest history magazine article No Ox for Knox? hits newsstands this week. It is based on my research for 1775, and it describes with convincing proof how the famous story of Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery Expedition from Ft. Ticonderoga to outside Boston may not be as it has always been told. 

The article is published in the current July/Aug issue of American Revolution magazine (formerly known as Patriots of the American Revolution magazine). You can purchase the magazine for $5 online or by calling 1−800−767−5828. (You can also follow the magazine on Facebook.)

My No Ox for Knox? article questions the famous story of Col. Henry Knox leading a team of ox-drawn sleds laden with artillery through the snowy mountains of western Massachusetts. This story is a staple of both history books and the American subconscious, and has been immortalized in at least two artworks, the most famous pictured here. But could it be wrong? Read the article to see my argument that Knox had no oxen after all. 

The Noble Train of Artillery by Tom Lovell — Reproduced with kind permission of the Dixon Ticonderoga Company. All Rights Reserved.

The true story of Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery is also featured in my forthcoming 1775 history book.

By the way, if you haven’t noticed, I now have a new newsletter service on the right side of this page. Please consider subscribing so I can keep you up to date on the publication process of 1775. This newsletter will be quarterly at best and will not include blog post updates, such as this post. (Of course, if you’d also like to receive this blog by email, you can sign up separately for that here.)

Another great reason to subscribe to my newsletter: you will get exclusive access to the entire first full chapter of 1775, which you can read online or download to any eReader. Signing up for the newsletter is the only way to get the entire first chapter. Non-subscribes can only read an excerpt of chapter one.

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Thanks for all of your continued support! I hope to soon have more good news to share!