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Rebellion in the Ranks: Mutinies of the American Revolution

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If you are interested in knowing the truth of how precarious the American Revolution really was, this book is must reading. Through incredible research, Nagy reveals tragic but engrossing events of the frequent mutinies that threatened the cause for Independence during the entire war, actions that have been overlooked in the commonly related accounts of those critical years. Nagy corrects many of the inaccuracies of these sad events and identifies insurrections that were previously unknown. His accounts of incredible courage, hardship and defeat are often drawn from the participants themselves, their daily suffering and the perspectives of the mutineers. This work is historically important and will open your eyes to the truth about the War as you have never heard it related.

Total enjoyable reading. Even history buffs will find many unknown facts revealed in this book.

John Nagy's book Rebellion in the Ranks: Mutinies of the American Revolution will become a standard reference book for the serious Revolutionary History student. It will begin appearing on must read lists for college classes dealing with this period.

REBELLION IN THE RANKS: MUTINIES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
JOHN A. NAGY
WESTHOLME PUBLISHING, 2007
HARDCOVER, $29.95, 408 PAGES, PHOTOGRAPHS, MAPS, ILLUSTRATIONS, BIBLIOGRAPHY, NOTES, INDEX


Time and again, the Continental Army was threatened with dissolution over the eight years of its existence (the modern reader should know all about civilian support for long wars), and Washington was called upon to perform miracles to maintain an effective force. Historians have been repeatedly astonished that the patriots were eventually successful. The financial responsibility for providing pay, food, shelter, clothing, arms, and other equipment to specific units was assigned to states as part of the establishment of these units. States differed in how well they lived up to these obligations. There were constant funding issues and morale problems as the war continued. This led to the Continental Army offering low pay, often rotten food, hard work, cold, heat, poor clothing, and shelter, harsh discipline, and a high chance of becoming a casualty. Keeping that in mind, wholesale desertions were a major concern to Washington and his generals, and the fear of mutiny by entire units also kept them tense. He often pleaded with and warned the Continental Congress concerning the need for funds to provide more humane and just treatment for the troops and, accordingly, pointed out the probability of mass desertions and uprisings. It is to Washington's credit, that he persevered in keeping a whole army in the field rather than making matters worse by exploiting the soldiers' fear and grievances by identifying with them. Instead, he begged for their patience and appealed to their honor, stressing the importance of remaining steadfast in opposition to the common enemy. Lacking that approach, the Continental Army might well have dissolved several times, something Washington predicted as a real possibility. Several threats of large-scale mutiny were resolved by coercion or a show of force, with little or no further resistance. In a few instances, however, things got completely out of hand and a full-blown mutiny erupted. REBELLION IN THE RANKS: MUTINIES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION author John A. Nagy reveals little known facts of a much overlooked subject of the American Revolution-mutiny. As one reads this well-researched and illuminating account, many of the officers and soldiers of the American Revolution weren't patient, courageous, upright, or heroic. As Thomas Paine feared, some were summer soldiers who shrank from duty. Some were impatient, cowardly, trouble-making scalawags while others were generally honorable and idealistic by nature but simply unable to withstand pressures or resist the temptations which confronted them as members of the Continental Army. John A. Nagy's book contains not only the well known mutinies-the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut Line Regiments but also Continental Navy mutinies and British and Hessian mutinies on both land and sea. REBELLION IN THE RANKS: MUTINIES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is a thoroughly compelling and important book for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the reasons and motivations of the common everyday Continental soldier and seaman in their fight to create this Republic.


Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn, Florida Guard
Orlando, Florida

This is a excellent book about a little known fact of the War..Mr. Nagy's book will surely become a university text on the subject..It is well written and full of facts , many not previously known....