Western Hooves of Thunder

War of 1812
McArthurs Raid against the Six Nations
of the Grand River Territory & Counties, 1814

Now Available

Zig Misiak, author, and Scott Paterson, illustrator, combine their talents and historical re-enacting experiences giving the reader vivid visuals and an exciting story. The book is supported by a series of “questions and answers” on this web site. In addition the reader can see actual “photographs” of existing locations as related to McArthur’s raid in our area.

This War of 1812 book is based on historical fact and locations. Two adolescents, a Mohawk boy and his friend Catherine, find themselves in the middle of the War of 1812. As youngsters they were told stories of the American Revolution and why their families had to migrate north of the Great Lakes. Joseph Brant, General Brock, Tecumseh, John Brant, John Norton, the Prophet and William Caldwell are all part of the book “Western Hooves of Thunder”.

This War of 1812 children’s book is intended to support history curriculum and “Native Studies” in schools yet it is a wonderful easy to read story for all. SAMPLE pages are available for you to see on this site.

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Two adolescents grew up in the middle of the War of 1812. The American Revolution was lost to the British and their First Nations allies. Thousands move north of the Great Lakes and rivers to what was then known as Quebec. In 1784 the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations/Iroquois settled along the Grand River with some of their close Butlers Rangers friends. In 1791 Quebec was divided into what was called Upper and Lower Canada. In 1800 a young Mohawk boy and a young non native girl were born. Their families lived along the Grand River. They knew Joseph Brant, Tecumseh, General Brock, John Norton and many elders who fought in the American Revolution. They listened to stories told by his grandparents. They lived in a beautiful river valley in harmony with their neigbours. On June 18, 1812 war was declared by the United States against Britain and her allies. Once again Six Nations were drawn into a conflict not of their making. In 1814 over 750 mounted American soldiers galloped towards the Grand River. To smash the Six Nations, to cross the river and attack the British in the Niagara region, occupy as much land a possible during peace negotiations or to simply make the winter uncomfortable for its citizens by destroying crops, mills and homes?

In just over two weeks the American soldiers stampeded their way to the edge of the Grand River burning everything in their way and the closer they got the “Western Hooves of Thunder” became louder.