A Very Fine Regiment: The 47th Foot During the American War of Independence, 1773-1783

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Paul Knight

A Very Fine Regiment

The 47th Foot During the American War of Independence, 1773-1783

Paul Knight

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English

Helion & Company
01 February 2022

History of the Americas; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900; American War of Independence; Regiments

Series: From Reason to Revolution

The 47th Regiment of Foot served throughout the whole of the American War of Independence. The regiment experienced the transition from peacetime soldiering in Ireland and New Jersey, through the deteriorating political situation, to open rebellion. The officers and men had to alter their tactics and doctrine from peacetime garrison duties, through conventional warfare around Boston to woodland operations in Canada and upper New York.

Who were the 47th Foot? How well did they overcome the challenges they faced? What became of them? Where they unthinking automatons lead by an officer class incapable of adapting to the reality of warfare in North America?

Paul Knight examines the regiment within the context of a British Army which was neither stuck in the past nor incapable of reform. New uniforms, weapons, and drill manuals reflected the lessons of the previous war within an environment of doctrinally innovative generals. Against this, the regiment had to train in an era of the financial parsimony and where the friction of peacetime soldiering mitigated against training objectives. Nevertheless, the 47th was judged 'A Very Fine Regiment and Fit for Service' before it sailed for New Jersey in 1773.

In North America, the 47th served in peaceful New Jersey and New York before joining the Boston Garrison in response to the deteriorating political situation there. After Boston, they were sent to Quebec where they drove American Rebels out of Canada before participating in the ill-fated Saratoga Campaign. Most of the regiment then endured years of captivity as part of the Convention Army. A fortunate part of the regiment avoided this fate and defended Canada's borders for the remained of the war.

This period saw the 47th, and the British Army in North America, quickly adapting to the rapidly evolving political and military situations they encountered. They successfully evolved their tactics and doctrine from peaceful garrison duties to conventional warfare in response to open rebellion and then to irregular tactics for woodland fighting.

Paul Knight shows how the 47th Foot was able to adapt to the changing threats and operational environment quickly and effectively. These were thinking soldiers led by flexible officers capable of adopting to the prevailing operational environment.

The 47th Regiment of Foot served in North America during the whole of the American War of Independence. It experienced the transition from peacetime soldiering, through the deteriorating political situation, to open rebellion.

AUTHOR: Paul Knight is a hugely experienced fisherman who has travelled the globe with rod and line. He has worked on offshore trawlers as well as fished idyllic salmon streams. Paul is a leading figure among UK anglers, as CEO of the Salmon and Trout Association, and contributor to a wide range of angling magazines, including Gamefisher. His wide experience, remarkable network of fishing friends and wonderful writing style make him the perfect author of such a collection of unforgettable tales.

8 colour plates, 27 b/w ills, 5 maps, 12 tables

By: Paul Knight
Imprint: Helion & Company
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 248mm, Width: 180mm,
ISBN: 9781914059865
ISBN 10: 1914059867
Series: From Reason to Revolution
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 01 February 2022
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Paul Knight is a British Army officer and military historian. He holds a PhD in History and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He is also an experienced historical reenactor with over 20 years re-enacting the 47th Foot during the American War of Independence. A Very Fine Regiment is his fifth book, and his second to be published with Helion.

Reviews for A Very Fine Regiment: The 47th Foot During the American War of Independence, 1773-1783

Drawing on diaries, letters and Regiment reports, Knight has crafted a compact but informative work viewing the Revolutionary War from the British side. -- War History Network This is a very dense work filled with analysis and details about the regiment, its soldiers, leaders, evolution, and place in the British military structure. This is not a regimental history for the casual reader. If you are interested in information about the development of the British regimental system during this period, as well as in the 47th Regiment, this is the text for you. [...] The author's work adds to the body of knowledge on the study of British regiments that served in North America and should be viewed and approached by readers as more than just a study of a single British regiment. -- The Journal of the American Revolution