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Battles of the Revolutionary War, 1775-1781
The Americans didn't simply outlast the British, nor was the war just a glorified guerrilla action with sporadic skirmishes, says W. J. Wood. Americans won their independence on the battlefield by employing superior strategies, tactics, and leadership in the battles of Bunker Hill, Quebec, Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga, and Cowpens, among many others. Here in this groundbreaking book are detailed accounts of attempts by commanders to adapt their forces to the ever-shifting battlefield of the Revolutionary War, as well as analyses of the factors that determined the eventual American victory.
Battles of the Revolutionary War is designed for "armchair strategist," with dozens of illustrations and maps--many specially prepared for this volume--of the weapons, battle plans, and combatants. It's an insider's look at the dramatic times and colorful personalities that accompanied the birth of this country.
Battles of the Revolutionary War is designed for "armchair strategist," with dozens of illustrations and maps--many specially prepared for this volume--of the weapons, battle plans, and combatants. It's an insider's look at the dramatic times and colorful personalities that accompanied the birth of this country.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 29, 2015
If you want to learn about the American Revolution this is a very good book to get. The author overviews the 10 most important battles of the War.
The first major battle was Bunker Hill. Bunker Hill was a major victory for the American psyche. The total Americans killed was 140 and wounded 271 while the British casualties were 1,150 or about 45% of its total force.
The next battle was the Battle of Quebec. It was a loss to the Americans. Americans killed were 60 and the British were just 5.
Starting on August 22, the English gained the upper hand and almost ended the war with a victory. They defeated a Washington led army at Staten Island and Harlem Heights. Washington and most of his army escaped a massacre however the British (under General Howe) went on to capture Fort Washington and Fort Lee.
Howe's Army, under General Cornwallis, had pushed Washington's shadily clad and hungry troupes across the Delaware River settling in Bristol, PA. Washington wisely burned his transfer boats after departing thus stopping Cornwallis's advance. Under extremely cold conditions in middle of December Washington's next move was an intelligent thought out gamble.
Washington had his troupes deploy in three separate river crossings in an attempt to conquer Trenton, NJ which was occupied by Hessian mercenaries fighting for the British. It was Christmas day and Washington presumed the Hessians would be celebrating. He was right because when the Americans hit the Germans were completely caught off guard. It was a stunning American victory. Washington then continued and captured Princeton, NJ which chased the British out of NJ.
A worn down American force tried but lost a battle at Brandywine next.
An American force was ambushed at Oriskany, NY but fought there way out of it causing General Burgoyne to fall back to safety in Canada.
Following Oriskany came America's biggest victory at Saratoga, NY. The author points out General Burgoyne's bad luck in his attempt to move through NY. First, he expected 2000 Canadians to support him and only 150 showed up, secondly he expected 2000 more Indians for support and got just 400. And he was disillusioned into believing he would muster a lot of loyal Tories to help. He also had to travel through a very wooded NY.
For the Americans, General Schuyler had laid down a scorched earth policy. He had trees blocking roads and farms ruined to delay Burgoyne's advance. He was then replaced(for some odd reason) by General Horatio Gates. Gates had luck on his side. First, his army reached 7000 due to the Indian (which fought aside the British)scalping of a 25 year old woman named Jane McCrea that caused an uproar of patriotic fervor.
When English troupes were noticed snaking through the woods Benedict Arnold led an attack and routed them. While Arnold won the battle he also delayed a British retreat and the large American force was able to surround the English. This forced Burgoyne to capitulate. The Americans took 5721 prisoners and many weapons. The victory convinced France, Spain and Holland to openly join the American cause.
A Patriot victory at King's Mountain,SC followed chasing Cornwallis out of North Carolina.
But what followed at Cowpens,SC was a stunning American victory. The British had lost their entire 820 man force captured while America had just 12 killed.
After Cowpens, Cornwallis decided he needed to capture General Greene's Army. General Greene led him on a wild goose chase through the south and finally stopped to battle him at Guilford Courthouse. This is where America laid another devastating defeat on the British.
After this last defeat, Cornwallis stationed his Army in Wilmington, Delaware however he decided to move it to Yorktown Virginia. That is when Washington and the French put together the grand plan of attacking. The combined American and French troupes marched toward Yorktown while the French Navy blockaded the Atlantic Ocean exit. After America delivering a 3 pronged attack and had Cornwallis trapped from escaping he surrendered. 6000 British Soldiers were taken prisoner. The British still held New York but they still gave up on a lost cause and finally granted American Independence.
The first major battle was Bunker Hill. Bunker Hill was a major victory for the American psyche. The total Americans killed was 140 and wounded 271 while the British casualties were 1,150 or about 45% of its total force.
The next battle was the Battle of Quebec. It was a loss to the Americans. Americans killed were 60 and the British were just 5.
Starting on August 22, the English gained the upper hand and almost ended the war with a victory. They defeated a Washington led army at Staten Island and Harlem Heights. Washington and most of his army escaped a massacre however the British (under General Howe) went on to capture Fort Washington and Fort Lee.
Howe's Army, under General Cornwallis, had pushed Washington's shadily clad and hungry troupes across the Delaware River settling in Bristol, PA. Washington wisely burned his transfer boats after departing thus stopping Cornwallis's advance. Under extremely cold conditions in middle of December Washington's next move was an intelligent thought out gamble.
Washington had his troupes deploy in three separate river crossings in an attempt to conquer Trenton, NJ which was occupied by Hessian mercenaries fighting for the British. It was Christmas day and Washington presumed the Hessians would be celebrating. He was right because when the Americans hit the Germans were completely caught off guard. It was a stunning American victory. Washington then continued and captured Princeton, NJ which chased the British out of NJ.
A worn down American force tried but lost a battle at Brandywine next.
An American force was ambushed at Oriskany, NY but fought there way out of it causing General Burgoyne to fall back to safety in Canada.
Following Oriskany came America's biggest victory at Saratoga, NY. The author points out General Burgoyne's bad luck in his attempt to move through NY. First, he expected 2000 Canadians to support him and only 150 showed up, secondly he expected 2000 more Indians for support and got just 400. And he was disillusioned into believing he would muster a lot of loyal Tories to help. He also had to travel through a very wooded NY.
For the Americans, General Schuyler had laid down a scorched earth policy. He had trees blocking roads and farms ruined to delay Burgoyne's advance. He was then replaced(for some odd reason) by General Horatio Gates. Gates had luck on his side. First, his army reached 7000 due to the Indian (which fought aside the British)scalping of a 25 year old woman named Jane McCrea that caused an uproar of patriotic fervor.
When English troupes were noticed snaking through the woods Benedict Arnold led an attack and routed them. While Arnold won the battle he also delayed a British retreat and the large American force was able to surround the English. This forced Burgoyne to capitulate. The Americans took 5721 prisoners and many weapons. The victory convinced France, Spain and Holland to openly join the American cause.
A Patriot victory at King's Mountain,SC followed chasing Cornwallis out of North Carolina.
But what followed at Cowpens,SC was a stunning American victory. The British had lost their entire 820 man force captured while America had just 12 killed.
After Cowpens, Cornwallis decided he needed to capture General Greene's Army. General Greene led him on a wild goose chase through the south and finally stopped to battle him at Guilford Courthouse. This is where America laid another devastating defeat on the British.
After this last defeat, Cornwallis stationed his Army in Wilmington, Delaware however he decided to move it to Yorktown Virginia. That is when Washington and the French put together the grand plan of attacking. The combined American and French troupes marched toward Yorktown while the French Navy blockaded the Atlantic Ocean exit. After America delivering a 3 pronged attack and had Cornwallis trapped from escaping he surrendered. 6000 British Soldiers were taken prisoner. The British still held New York but they still gave up on a lost cause and finally granted American Independence.
August 13, 2009
For those wanting to learn more about some of the key battles of the Revolutionary War, this isn't a bad starting point. John Eisenhower, in the Introduction, notes the approach adopted by the author, W. J. Wood (pages xiv-xv): ". . .he selects certain battles to describe, purposefully omitting others. His criteria for selection includes drama of a particular engagement, its ability to illustrate a certain military principle, and its uniqueness."
Needless to say, there will be questions as to which battles were selected and which were omitted. Only ten are included. These range from Bunker Hill to the Chesapeake Capes (for which, read Yorktown). Most represent American victories. One exception: the debacle at Quebec and, to some extent, Brandywine), and this is one issue: Why not the disastrous series of battles on Long Island and Manhattan? These illustrate the learning curve of George Washington and his top aides. Nonetheless, the battles covered here represent a reasonable choice.
Some of the other battles covered (besides those already mentioned) include Trenton and Princeton, Oriskany, Saratoga, King's Mountain, Cowpens, and Guilford Courthouse. The maps included in the text are useful for helping the reader to visualize what was going on. The text is competently written. There is enough detail to get a good sense of each battle (although, of course, there is not great detail on any single struggle).
In short, a nice volume for those who want a quick introduction to key battles of the Revolutionary War.
Needless to say, there will be questions as to which battles were selected and which were omitted. Only ten are included. These range from Bunker Hill to the Chesapeake Capes (for which, read Yorktown). Most represent American victories. One exception: the debacle at Quebec and, to some extent, Brandywine), and this is one issue: Why not the disastrous series of battles on Long Island and Manhattan? These illustrate the learning curve of George Washington and his top aides. Nonetheless, the battles covered here represent a reasonable choice.
Some of the other battles covered (besides those already mentioned) include Trenton and Princeton, Oriskany, Saratoga, King's Mountain, Cowpens, and Guilford Courthouse. The maps included in the text are useful for helping the reader to visualize what was going on. The text is competently written. There is enough detail to get a good sense of each battle (although, of course, there is not great detail on any single struggle).
In short, a nice volume for those who want a quick introduction to key battles of the Revolutionary War.
February 26, 2019
A very thorough description of 10 key battles within the American War of Independence, including the Battles of Bunker Hill, Quebec, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Oriskany, Saratoga, Kings Mountain, Cowpens, Guildford Courthouse, and the Chesapeake Capes/Yorktown.
Most chapters were very readable, and I certainly learned a lot about a ton of lesser-known heroes on the American side (including my favorites: John Stark and Daniel Morgan). The thoroughness of detail did make some parts, especially Oriskany, Saratoga, and the naval battle off of the Chesapeake Bay a bit monotonous. Still, I'd consider its contents vital toward an in-depth understanding of the American Revolutionary War, and would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.
Most chapters were very readable, and I certainly learned a lot about a ton of lesser-known heroes on the American side (including my favorites: John Stark and Daniel Morgan). The thoroughness of detail did make some parts, especially Oriskany, Saratoga, and the naval battle off of the Chesapeake Bay a bit monotonous. Still, I'd consider its contents vital toward an in-depth understanding of the American Revolutionary War, and would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.
March 27, 2020
Other reviews suggest this is better than 2* but I think this is generous to say the least. There’s too much journalistic description in here - many of the characters (I use the word advisedly) are depicted as if in a Hollywood movie. Stark “46, lean, tough as frontier leather & direct of speech”; Putnam “built like a brown bear” & resembling “not a warrior but a generous, openhearted, dyed in the wool American hero”. Please. I may be British but I wouldn’t even want to see Burgoyne & Cornwallis rose-tinted. Best to leave the last word to John Eisenhower from his introduction: Wood has “developed his vast amounts of material into a readable, sometimes folksy narrative, spiced on occasion by wry observations”. Sorry, just not a tight enough history for my admittedly narrow mind 😊.
July 28, 2013
Loving it so far and into it about halfway. Only wish it also covered the battle of Monmouth and a bit surprised the copy editor didn't catch the misspelling of a key character in the battle of Trenton. The Hessian Colonel's name was Johann Rahl, sometimes Rall. But consistently throughout this text he is referred to as "Rail"
March 5, 2025
Do I enjoy military history? Apparently so, when I get a chapter dedicated to the pomp-and-circumstance of Burgoyne at Saratoga and quippy lines about Dan Morgan kissing a nineteen-year old drummer boy after Cowpens. I only wish more battles were chronicled (Where is Camden? Long Island? Etc.) and that the thesis threaded throughout the chapters a little more explicitly. The respect shown to all soldiers was tangible, making the read more than an enjoyable affair. Oh, and I was teary-eyed reading the Bunker Hill chapter. Loved!
June 16, 2019
You will learn about the "run-away" militia of both sides, the hazard of using Native Americans as allies, and how winning a major war battle doesn't mean you are brave or could win another battle. Only criticism was the standard impossibility of easily following the action on any of the maps included. Worth the time.
February 15, 2023
The descriptions of the battles are pretty decent, but the author has plenty of passages that are real snoozes. This is an uneven work.
August 11, 2025
phenomenal
January 12, 2017
The author picks his battles, and provides strategic and historical context without getting lost in the big picture. Good military as well as historical analysis.
September 8, 2022
May 2024
I couldn't recall some random details about the Battle of Quebec. This wlecome curiosity quickly turned into a stubborn grinding frustration when the answer remained elusive. I needed to find the answer! What was supposed to be a quick dip quickly turned into third long swim through these battlefield tactics. Man, I sure do love the American Revolution
The third time was, as they say, the charm. I gulped down these battles with a virgin's curiosity and enthusiasm. The Battles of Brandywine, Orusknany, Saratoga were amazing to re-experiemce. But the battles that really absorbed my attention this time around were the battles at Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and Guilford Courthouse.
This was some of the most riveting stuff I've read in a long, long while.
Early 2022
Tough to rate this book since it is the only book Ive read about the battle tactics and troop movements of several key battles during the American Revolution.
But if you are into this sort of nerdy stuff, the play by play analysis of the battles of Breeds Hill, Trenton, Monmouth and, best of all, Cowpens was stellar. I walked away with a crash course understanding of the decisions that led to the triumphs and the tragedies on the battlefield. Daniel Morgan's pincher movement at Cowpens and John Starks heroics at Breeds Hill were the stuff of legends.
I couldn't recall some random details about the Battle of Quebec. This wlecome curiosity quickly turned into a stubborn grinding frustration when the answer remained elusive. I needed to find the answer! What was supposed to be a quick dip quickly turned into third long swim through these battlefield tactics. Man, I sure do love the American Revolution
The third time was, as they say, the charm. I gulped down these battles with a virgin's curiosity and enthusiasm. The Battles of Brandywine, Orusknany, Saratoga were amazing to re-experiemce. But the battles that really absorbed my attention this time around were the battles at Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and Guilford Courthouse.
This was some of the most riveting stuff I've read in a long, long while.
Early 2022
Tough to rate this book since it is the only book Ive read about the battle tactics and troop movements of several key battles during the American Revolution.
But if you are into this sort of nerdy stuff, the play by play analysis of the battles of Breeds Hill, Trenton, Monmouth and, best of all, Cowpens was stellar. I walked away with a crash course understanding of the decisions that led to the triumphs and the tragedies on the battlefield. Daniel Morgan's pincher movement at Cowpens and John Starks heroics at Breeds Hill were the stuff of legends.
September 19, 2012
Not a book for the causal reader, but anyone with an interest in military history, historical military tactics and operations, or the American Revolutionary War would benefit from giving some time to this book. Written by a former soldier and lecturer at the United States Field Artillery School (which, I confess, I had not heard of before reading this volume), the book focuses on a handful of battles that for one or another reason were peculiar or exemplary.
Covering both famous battles (Bunker Hill, Trenton, Guilford Courthouse), and some lesser-known engagements (Oriskany, King's Mountain, the British engagement of the French fleet off the Chesapeake Capes), Wood effectively explains the events and motivations leading to the actions in question, while describing the battles themselves vital and compelling without compromising on relevant detail. Above all, Wood presents insightful sketches of the personalities of the War - From Washington and Greene, Clinton and Cornwallis, to lesser known but crucial players such as General William von Knyphausen and Colonel Daniel Morgan.
Battles of the Revolutionary War is hard to hunt down (this edition was reprinted by De Capo in 1990 and I don't think it's been issued since), but well worth the hunt.
Covering both famous battles (Bunker Hill, Trenton, Guilford Courthouse), and some lesser-known engagements (Oriskany, King's Mountain, the British engagement of the French fleet off the Chesapeake Capes), Wood effectively explains the events and motivations leading to the actions in question, while describing the battles themselves vital and compelling without compromising on relevant detail. Above all, Wood presents insightful sketches of the personalities of the War - From Washington and Greene, Clinton and Cornwallis, to lesser known but crucial players such as General William von Knyphausen and Colonel Daniel Morgan.
Battles of the Revolutionary War is hard to hunt down (this edition was reprinted by De Capo in 1990 and I don't think it's been issued since), but well worth the hunt.
February 4, 2013
Excellent read that claims to take a new angle on specific battles of the war but doesn't really advance any new theories. Still, they are richly detailed and educational. IN addition, many of the assumptions that laypeople believe about the war (Benedict Arnold, the role of the French, importance of the the southern campaign) are touched upon and given their own moments. Very entertaining and quick read.
June 10, 2015
The Revolution. A see sawing of victories and defeats. English, Tories, and rebels doing their utmost to win. The more I read of this war the more I understand this was not only a revolution but a civil war where Americans fought Americans. Significant numbers of Americans loyal to the crown fought in most of these battles. The string of battles covered here are the most important to Washington's overall victory. Another book down on one of my favorite periods of US history.
July 5, 2011
I'm a newbie to reading about battles and found this book both digestible and fascinating. To my surprise I couldn't wait to finish each battle. Highly recommended to other newbies, especially in conjunction with The Glorious Cause.
Very cool to have finished the book as July 4th fireworks are out my window!
Very cool to have finished the book as July 4th fireworks are out my window!
November 4, 2011
Great sumary of the individual battles of the Revolutionary War. I learned odd things like who takes care of the injured enemy army members after the opposing army retreats. So sad to hear about the huge numbers of men lost in the war though. I skimmed through a lot of if because it was overwhelming to me.
March 16, 2014
Great book. It examines a number of the major battles of the Revolution. Well written with a lot of background material on the leaders of the battles and the events leading up them. It is not an examination of the entire war simply selected battles. That can be a bit confusing upon occaison moving between chapters and theaters of the war.
October 19, 2018
Revolutionary War Story
This is a good book, one that carefully explains the battles of the war. I believe that this aspect of our edu cation has been neglected. Ilearned a great deal from this book and it helped me to understand
This is a good book, one that carefully explains the battles of the war. I believe that this aspect of our edu cation has been neglected. Ilearned a great deal from this book and it helped me to understand
February 19, 2013
Absolutely loved it! So good, so informational, yet succinct.
December 11, 2013
This book was a great read. Wood does a masterful job of distilling the most crucial battles of the Revolution and bringing to life the strategies on both sides.
December 26, 2020
Awesome book. It shows the “great fortune of circumstances” that saved a sometimes inept General Washington.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews