The British were planning to invade the rebelling colonies by attacking the American forces on Lake Champlain. They were building vessels to carry their troops by water. General Benedict Arnold led the Colonial forces at the southern part of the lake, and he and his men were desperately building small warships with which they hoped to stop the invasion fleet from Canada.But Arnold faced serious problems among his own troops. Certain officers, jealous of him, were busy spreading rumors and lies that were damaging the morale and performance of his men.A Virginia officer on his staff offered to seek help from Virginia's Governor, Patrick Henry. And Patrick Henry called again for the woodsmen Matthew Anderson, and his proteges, Nathan Edwards and Andrew Hendricks, to go to General Arnold's army to find the troublemakers in his command.A thrilling story of a famous battle in which the Virginians join the other colonists in a desperate fight against the skilled sailors and the mighty ships of the British Royal Navy.The Battle of Valcour Island is the fifth book in the Independence series, set in the turbulent years of the American Revolution. The series introduces young readers to both the renowned leaders and everyday people who fought to preserve the social, political, and religious freedoms of the American Colonies.