United States History - 18th Century - American Revolution, Executive Branch, United States History - Northeastern & Middle Atlantic Region, U.S. - Political Biography, United States History - 18th Century - General & Miscellaneous
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Overview
George Washington could criticize the militia in the sharpest, most condemning terms, but, as Mark Kwasny argues, the general also embraced a strategy that depended on the effectiveness of the militia. Its contributions were especially significant in the middle states around New York City. Militia units controlled local populations while defending coastal towns and enclaves against British raids. They cooperated effectively with the Continental Army, gathering military intelligence, serving as a defensive screen, and at critical times reinforcing the main army. Washington encouraged the use of the militia as partisans. The combination of 18th-century military doctrine and the partisan dimension reveals in Washington a depth of strategic ability only rarely recognized. By combining the histories of regular units, state militia, and politics at the state and national levels, the author brings clarity to the chaotic and complicated military campaigns. He aptly compares events in the middle states to the better known partisan warfare in the South and thus illuminates the militia's contributions to Washington's victories in the Revolutionary War.Editorials
Library Journal
The issue of Washington's use of the militia during the Revolutionary War is indeed a complex question. At the beginning of the war, Washington considered the militia unreliable, and most officers viewed it with contempt. Yet, as the war drew to a close, Washington stated that "the militia of this Country must be considered as the Palladium of our security." Kwasny's (history, Ohio State Univ.) in-depth analysis provides the reader with the necessary evidence to follow the changing role of the militia through the war. The reader also can follow the transformation of Washington and how he developed his ultimately successful use of the militia. The work is very well written and thoroughly researched; there are over 60 pages of notes. Although of greatest interest to period historians, it does explain some ambiguities that have persisted about Washington as a general. Recommended for subject specialists and historians.-Mark E. Ellis, Albany State Univ., Leesburg, Ga.Booknews
Kwasny (history, Ohio State U.-Newark) analyzes George Washington's generalship and the importance of the state militia in the middle states around New York City, arguing that Washington's combined use of 18th century military doctrine and the use of the militia as partisans reveals Washington's significant strategic abilities. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.Book Details
Published
October 31, 1996
Publisher
Kent, Ohio : Kent State University Press, 1996.
Pages
448
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780873385466