Redcoats
Subtitle: the British soldier and war in the Americas, 1755-1763
By: Stephen Brumwell.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2002
Place of publication: Cambridge; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 349
Subjects: Great Britain. Army -- History -- French and Indian War, 1755-1763; Great Britain. Army -- Military life -- History -- 18th century; Seven Years' War, 1756-1763 -- Campaigns; Soldiers -- Great Britain -- History -- 18th century; Soldiers -- North America -- History -- 18th century; Soldiers -- West Indies -- History -- 18th century; United States -- History -- French and Indian War, 1755-1763 -- Campaigns
Description: "Recent scholarship has highlighted the significance of the Seven Years War for the destiny of Britain's Atlantic empire. This major study offers an important new perspective through a vivid and scholarly account of the regular troops at the sharp end of that conflict's bloody and decisive American campaigns. Fresh sources are employed to challenge enduring stereotypes regarding both the social composition and military prowess of the 'redcoats'. The book shows how the humble soldiers who fought from Novia Scotia to Cuba developed a powerful esprit de corps that equipped them to defy savage discipline in defence of their 'rights'. It traces the evolution of Britain's 'American Army' from a feeble, conservative and discredited organisation into a tough, flexible and innovative force whose victories ultimately won the respect of colonial Americans. By providing a voice for these neglected shocktroops of empire, Redcoats adds flesh and blood to Georgian Britain's 'sinews of power'."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 321-342) and index.