George Washington and the American Military Tradition

George Washington and the American Military Tradition PDF Author: Don Higginbotham
Publisher: University of Georgia Press
ISBN: 0820324000
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 189

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Book Description
In George Washington and the American Military Tradition, Don Higginbotham investigates the interplay of militiaman and professional soldier, of soldier and legislator, that shaped George Washington’s military career and ultimately fostered the victory that brought independence to our nation. Higginbotham then explores the legacy of Washington’s success, revealing that the crucial blending of civil and military concerns characteristic of the Revolution has been variously regarded and only seldom repeated by later generations of American soldiers. Washington’s training, between 1753 and 1755, included frontier command in the Virginia militia, adjunct service to the British regulars during the French and Indian War, and increasing civil service in the Virginia House of Burgesses and Continental Congress. The result of this combination of pursuits was Washington’s concern for the citizen behind the soldier, his appreciation of both frontier tactics and professional discipline, and his sensitivity to political conflict and consensus in thirteen colonies in forming a new, united nation. When, in 1775, Washington accepted command of the Continental Army from the Continental Congress, he possessed political and military experience that enabled him, by 1783, to translate the Declaration of Independence into victory over the British. Yet, Higginbotham notes, the legacy of Washington’s success has sometimes been overlooked by generals concerned with professional training and a permanent military establishment, and therefore apt to revere foreign heros such as Jomini, Napoleon, and Bismarck more than Washington. Other leaders, most notably the World War II chief of staff, George Marshall, have recognized and implemented Washington’s unique understanding of civil and military coordination. In times almost wholly dominated by a military agenda, Washington’s and Marshall’s steady subordination of soldier to citizen, of strategy to legislation, recalls the careful consensus of thirteen colonies in 1776.

George Washington and the American Military Tradition

George Washington and the American Military Tradition PDF Author: Don Higginbotham
Publisher: University of Georgia Press
ISBN: 0820324000
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 189

Get Book

Book Description
In George Washington and the American Military Tradition, Don Higginbotham investigates the interplay of militiaman and professional soldier, of soldier and legislator, that shaped George Washington’s military career and ultimately fostered the victory that brought independence to our nation. Higginbotham then explores the legacy of Washington’s success, revealing that the crucial blending of civil and military concerns characteristic of the Revolution has been variously regarded and only seldom repeated by later generations of American soldiers. Washington’s training, between 1753 and 1755, included frontier command in the Virginia militia, adjunct service to the British regulars during the French and Indian War, and increasing civil service in the Virginia House of Burgesses and Continental Congress. The result of this combination of pursuits was Washington’s concern for the citizen behind the soldier, his appreciation of both frontier tactics and professional discipline, and his sensitivity to political conflict and consensus in thirteen colonies in forming a new, united nation. When, in 1775, Washington accepted command of the Continental Army from the Continental Congress, he possessed political and military experience that enabled him, by 1783, to translate the Declaration of Independence into victory over the British. Yet, Higginbotham notes, the legacy of Washington’s success has sometimes been overlooked by generals concerned with professional training and a permanent military establishment, and therefore apt to revere foreign heros such as Jomini, Napoleon, and Bismarck more than Washington. Other leaders, most notably the World War II chief of staff, George Marshall, have recognized and implemented Washington’s unique understanding of civil and military coordination. In times almost wholly dominated by a military agenda, Washington’s and Marshall’s steady subordination of soldier to citizen, of strategy to legislation, recalls the careful consensus of thirteen colonies in 1776.

George Washington and George Marshall

George Washington and George Marshall PDF Author: Don Higginbotham
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Generals
Languages : en
Pages : 36

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Book Description


General George Washington; Exemplar-in-Chief:

General George Washington; Exemplar-in-Chief: PDF Author: Major A. J. Straley
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
ISBN: 1782896511
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 36

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Book Description
George Washington was an “Exemplar-in-Chief” who had an indelible influence on the nature and character of the early Continental Army, an influence that set the precedence and affected how the United States military would interact with civil authority under the new institution of a democratic republic. Through an analysis of the historical record there are multiple examples of George Washington’s early influence in shaping the nature and character of the United States military. Today’s American military is a direct descendant of the early Continental Army which fought the War for Independence, and was shaped by Washington’s influence. In analyzing Washington’s motives, actions, to include correspondence and court martial rulings, this study will attempt to open a window into understanding Washington’s influence on the Continental Army and, therefore, the American military tradition among the officer corps to the present day. Washington was not just a Command-in-Chief, but an Exemplar-in-Chief who left a lasting impression on the American military structure, that has held strong for over two hundred years. Through his actions during the creation of the army and leading that army during the Revolution, he forever set the framework for the civil-military tradition which has never seen a credible or serious military coup. The character and nature of today’s military will not permit an environment that would allow a military coup to begin. This character and nature is a direct result of the profound significance of George Washington’s motives in joining the cause and his actions during the struggle. Washington’s influence is not only significant.... it cemented the military subordination to civilian authority which has lasted till today.

General George Washington

General George Washington PDF Author: Edward G. Lengel
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
ISBN: 0812969502
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 514

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Book Description
“The most comprehensive and authoritative study of Washington’s military career ever written.” –Joseph J. Ellis, author of His Excellency: George Washington Based largely on George Washington’s personal papers, this engrossing book paints a vivid, factual portrait of Washington the soldier. An expert in military history, Edward Lengel demonstrates that the “secret” to Washington’s excellence lay in his completeness, in how he united the military, political, and personal skills necessary to lead a nation in war and peace. Despite being an “imperfect commander”–and at times even a tactically suspect one–Washington nevertheless possessed the requisite combination of vision, integrity, talents, and good fortune to lead America to victory in its war for independence. At once informative and engaging, and filled with some eye-opening revelations about Washington, the American Revolution, and the very nature of military command, General George Washington is a book that reintroduces readers to a figure many think they already know. “The book’s balanced assessment of Washington is satisfying and thought-provoking. Lengel gives us a believable Washington . . . the most admired man of his generation by far.” –The Washington Post Book World “A compelling picture of a man who was ‘the archetypal American soldier’ . . . The sum of his parts was the greatness of Washington.” –The Boston Globe “[An] excellent book . . . fresh insights . . . If you have room on your bookshelf for only one book on the Revolution, this may be it.” –The Washington Times

George Washington Reconsidered

George Washington Reconsidered PDF Author: Don Higginbotham
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
ISBN: 9780813920061
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 356

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Book Description
George Washington, heroic general of the Revolution, master of Mount Vernon, and first president of the United States, remains the most enigmatic figure of the founding generation, with historians and the public at large still arguing over the strengths of his character and the nature of his intellectual and political contributions to the early republic. Representing the finest recent scholarship on Washington, these thirteen essays by the leading scholars in the field strike a balance between Washington's personal life and character and his public life as a soldier and political figure. Editor Don Higginbotham provides an introduction about Washington and his treatment by historians, and an afterword devoted to how the American people have viewed Washington, including the 1999 commemorations of the bicentennial of his death. With three essays written specifically for this volume, George Washington Reconsidered is the first collection of its kind to be published in over thirty years.

The American Military Tradition

The American Military Tradition PDF Author: John Martin Carroll
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
The American Military Tradition focuses on central questions about the nation's military heritage: who fought America's wars, and how did they fight them? To answer these questions, the essays presented here trace the evolution of America's military tradition from reliance on the citizen-soldier - the minuteman of the American Revolution - to the use of a mixed force that included a growing number of professional soldiers, to the predominance today of all-professional armed forces.

George Washington's Military Genius

George Washington's Military Genius PDF Author: Dave Richard Palmer
Publisher: Regnery Publishing
ISBN: 159698791X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 273

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Book Description
Discusses George Washington's military strategies during the American Revolution and how his particular tactics aided in defeating the British army, including his utilization of European training techniques and his moral leadership.

American Military History, Volume I

American Military History, Volume I PDF Author: Center of Military History
Publisher: Department of the Army
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 436

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Book Description
Shipping list no.: 2006-0299-P (v. 1) and 2006-0290-P (v. 2).

Brandywine

Brandywine PDF Author: Michael Harris
Publisher: Savas Beatie
ISBN: 161121162X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 528

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Book Description
"Brandywine Creek calmly meanders through the Pennsylvania countryside today, but on September 11, 1777, it served as the scenic backdrop for the largest battle of the American Revolution, one that encompassed more troops over more land than any combat fought on American soil until the Civil War. Long overshadowed by the stunning American victory at Saratoga, the complex British campaign that defeated George WashingtonÕs colonial army and led to the capture of the capital city of Philadelphia was one of the most important military events of the war. Michael C. HarrisÕs impressive Brandywine: A Military History of the Battle that Lost Philadelphia but Saved America, September 11, 1777, is the first full-length study of this pivotal engagement in many years. General Sir William Howe launched his campaign in late July 1777, when he loaded his army of 16,500 British and Hessian soldiers aboard a 265-ship armada in New York and set sail. Six difficult weeks later HoweÕs expedition landed near Elkton, Maryland, and moved north into Pennsylvania. WashingtonÕs rebel army harassed HoweÕs men at several locations including a minor but violent skirmish at CoochÕs Bridge in Delaware on September 3. Another week of hit-and-run tactics followed until Howe was within three miles of ChadsÕs Ford on Brandywine Creek, behind which Washington had posted his army in strategic blocking positions along a six-mile front. The young colonial capital of Philadelphia was just 25 miles farther east. Obscured by darkness and a heavy morning fog, General Howe initiated his plan of attack at 5:00 a.m. on September 11, pushing against the American center at ChadsÕs Ford with part of his army while the bulk of his command swung around WashingtonÕs exposed right flank to deliver his coup de main, destroy the colonials, and march on Philadelphia. Warned of HoweÕs flanking attack just in time, American generals turned their divisions to face the threat. The bitter fighting on Birmingham Hill drove the Americans from the field, but their heroic defensive stand saved WashingtonÕs army from destruction and proved that the nascent Continental foot soldiers could stand toe-to-toe with their foe. Although fighting would follow, Philadelphia fell to HoweÕs legions on September 26. HarrisÕs Brandywine is the first complete study to merge the strategic, political, and tactical history of this complex operation and important set-piece battle into a single compelling account. More than a decade in the making, his sweeping prose relies almost exclusively upon original archival research and his personal knowledge of the terrain. Enhanced with original maps, illustrations, and modern photos, and told largely through the words of those who fought there, Brandywine will take its place as one of the most important military studies of the American Revolution ever written."

Patriot Sage

Patriot Sage PDF Author: Gary L. Gregg
Publisher: Intercollegiate Studies Institute
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 390

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Book Description
This illustrated volume commemorates the life and legacy of America's Founding Father by bringing noteworthy scholars and authors together for a timely and topical consideration of Washington's enduring importance.