Hello Lunula
The story of Robert Rogers is a TRAGEDY!! He was a man who was very ahead of his time and suffered the usual fate of this dilemma. Left to his own devices, he made several political miscalculations and will forever pay for those mistakes. Conversely, his mental and physical strength and focus was acutely beyond extraordinary and serves as a supreme inspiration. Lt. Col. Rogers had enormous charisma, and led by example, certifying him as a leader of historical proportions. It was envy and prejudice, harbored by some of his superiors that finally broke this man into obscurity, at the time of his death. Rest in Peace Great Warrior and Freedom Fighter. You will be forever remembered as a Great American!!!!
Lt. Col Robert E Rogers was 250 years ahead of his time. No one at the time, fully appreciated or comprehended the significance of his concepts of organization and warfare. No one thought for example, that target practice shooting, served ANY useful purpose other than to waste ammunition!
Growing up in rural, southern New Hampshire in the 18th century, there were few educational or career opportunities available!! Prejudice, envy and politics by his military commanders, destroyed this American hero. This Master of the Wilderness and the Frontier was taken down and broken, by politicians and bureaucrats. He was no match for the predatory politician. After 10 years in a debtor prison and then dying in obscurity, it is difficult for me to imagine a more tragic or sadder ending for this extraordinarily, fascinating individual!! He was screwed by the Americans and the British who also looked down upon him as a Catholic, and a crude, illiterate "woodsy" of Scorch-Irish, descent! He wrote extensive journals and the content demonstrates a clear and precise inclination toward orderly thinking.
As for his burial, I read that most likely Robert Rogers' remains have been lost. When the old Church cemetary was relocated, buriel records that did survive made it possible to relocate those individuals. The others remain in the present day playground. This further illustrates my position that Lt Col Robert Rogers' legacy is a shameful and very sad tragedy. Other than the Military Special Forces, a few historians and desandants, no one else cares. Don't hold your breath for Gov't money to recover his remains and provide the proper buriel his richly deserves. It is only through hindsight that this man, who grew up in a time and place with negligble oppurtunity and significant hardships, can be recognized as a truly extraordinary person. We don't remember Gen Gage or the others who politically destroyed this man. And yes, I do freely acknowledge he unwittingly assisted these scoundrels, with his unwillingness to live within the rules of civilization. We in America will not forget.
