From the nationally bestselling author of The Secret Token the largely untold story of rebellion in Virginia that will forever change our understanding of the American Revolution the American Revolution broke out in New England in the spring of 1775 dramatic events unfolded in Virginia that proved every bit as decisive as the battles of Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill in uniting the colonies against Britain. Virginia the largest wealthiest and most populous province in British North America was led by Lord Dunmore who counted George Washington as his close friend. But the Scottish earl lacked troops so when patriots imperiled the capital of Williamsburg he threatened to book and arm enslaved Africanstwo of every five Virginians fight for the Crown. tobacco elite was reluctant to go to war with Britain but outraged at this threat to their human property.