With Zeal and with Bayonets Only: The British Army on Campaign in North America, 1775-1783 (Campaigns and Commanders) [Hardcover]

Matthew H. Spring (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0806139471 | ISBN-13: 978-0806139470 | Publication Date: December 2008

This groundbreaking book offers a new analysis of the British Army during the "American rebellion" at both operational and tactical levels. Presenting fresh insights into the speed of British tactical movements, Spring discloses how the system for training the army prior to 1775 was overhauled and adapted to the peculiar conditions confronting it in North America.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Matthew Spring holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Leeds and teaches history at Truro School, an independent secondary school in Cornwall, England.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 381 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press (December 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806139471
• ISBN-13: 978-0806139470
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,067,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revolutionizing Our View of the Revolutionary War, May 22, 2009

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Gregory J. W. Urwin "Gregory J. W. Urwin" (Temple University, Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: With Zeal and with Bayonets Only: The British Army on Campaign in North America, 1775-1783 (Campaigns and Commanders) (Hardcover)

_With Zeal and with Bayonets Only_ is the most important book on the military side of the American Revolution to see print in this century. It completely revolutionizes our view of battle in the War of Independence. Everything that came before it dealing with combat in this conflict is obsolete and must be reconceptualized and rewritten.

Based on metciulous research, _With Zeal and with Bayonets Only_ is both well written and authoritatively argued. Matthew H. Spring succeeds in vindicating the reputation of the British troops who attempted to crush American independence. They were not hidebound, unthinking machines good only for parade-ground evolutions and set-piece European battles.

The British Army that fought in North America from 1775 to 1783 was what modern American officers call "a thinking army." British officers, such as William Howe, were well aware that they had to adapt to American conditions from the outset, and they trained all their foot soldiers to function like light infantry. After Bunker Hill, they invariably led their Redcoats into battle in open order. Lacking large amounts of cavalry, they trained their foot soldiers to move quickly to overtake and strike a speedy foe. In battle, the Redcoats usually sought a quick decision. They preferred to close to within 75 yards of the enemy, fire a volley, and then charge with the bayonet. These tactics brought them victory more often than not.

Spring realizes, of course, that the British lost the war, and he explains how these frequently successful tactics contributed to that defeat. The fact that British officers tried to clinch victory on the battlefield reflected an improper appreciation for the political dimensions of the Revolution. In addition, pressing the enemy with troops deployed in loose order worked only so long as the attackers were superior to their foes. As the Revolution progressed and the Continental Army upgraded its own fighting skills, the Redcoats' tactical practices backfired on them -- as seen at Cowpens and Guilford Court House.

Nevertheless, Spring demonstrates that the British Army of the Revolution was a much more formidable force than most Americans realize. His book makes General George Washington's victory seem all the more incredible and admirable.

_With Zeal and with Bayonets Only_ is must reading for anyone who wants to think they possess any real understanding of the American War of Independence.


Gregory J. W. Urwin

Professor of History, Temple University
Associate Director, Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy at Temple University
General Editor, Campaigns and Commanders, University of Oklahoma Press
Member, Board of Trustees, Society for Military History
Academic Fellow, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
Fellow, Company of Military Historians

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Increadable scholarship, February 27, 2009

By 

Scion of Bellerphon "Doc71" (OEF VI) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: With Zeal and with Bayonets Only: The British Army on Campaign in North America, 1775-1783 (Campaigns and Commanders) (Hardcover)

For anyone who is deeply involved in the AWI this is a must. It will clear any patriotic fervor and misconceptions about the British army in the Revolution in your mind. Also the author makes the case rather inadvertently that the militia and an armed general populace is what prevented the revolution from collapsing to the encroachment of the British Army victory after victory in the field. It even quotes Cornwallis disdain for the militia but also his recognition of how they bled the British army piecemeal in a small unit engagements.

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well done, December 23, 2008

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Scholar "18th century student" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: With Zeal and with Bayonets Only: The British Army on Campaign in North America, 1775-1783 (Campaigns and Commanders) (Hardcover)

This is an excellent volume on how the British actually fought the AWI. It debunks several myths about tactics and operations. It is not a history of the war battle-by-battle, which really is not needed anyway. Great chapters on British firepower, reliance on bayonet charges, etc. A few minor flaws, such as a rather confusing chapter on drill, movements from column into line, etc., in which the author's prose in explanations is hopelessly confusing. Nevertheless, the book as a whole is excellent and nicely produced by the publishers. I recommend it without any reservations.