American Revolution: Cornwallis' Elite Soldiers
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- Опубліковано 2 тра 2024
- Today we are once again visiting the American Revolution.
It's a war that I am only just learning about.
I am joined once more by author Robbie McNiven to find out more about the 33rd Regiment of foot during the revolution.
The 33rd was arguably Britain's most elite regiment of the era and they fought in almost every major battle of the revolution.
Their colonel was none other than Charles Cornwallis - famous in America as the man who surrendered at Yorktown.
But despite this he was an excellent officer that cared about his men and was determined to forge the 33rd into a unit to be proud of.
Robbies book on the regiment during the revolution is called "the Pattern" and and here is a link to it - amzn.to/3UmtUky
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
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The American Revolution was a British political Cold War that went hot in its colonies.
My ancestor Colonel Andrew Hampton
commanded the Rutherford troops at the battle of Kings Mountain to help defeat Major Ferguson. Thanks for sharing. I am enjoying the history of the 33rd regiment that fought so bravely and well in this war. Very best regards Ron
A wonderful family history. Thanks so much for sharing.
I grew up near and went to college IN Greensboro, NC. In my little corner of America, Lord Cornwallis is known for more than just Yorktown. His last major engagement before Yorktown was in what is now Greensboro (actually named for our General who lead our side in the battle, Nathaniel Greene). We had streets named after Cornwallis near the battlefield memorial, and the story of that entire campaign was drummed well into our heads as children.
**I am talking about Guilford Courthouse here.**
I've been there once and wathced the Drive play - a lovely little place.
Great video! Being raised in South Carolina, revolutionary war history is huge. Been to the fort in Ninety Six, cowpens and made many a trip to Charleston. I now live in North Carolina. We drive through Camden to visit family. They have a beautiful recreation of the houses and battlefield. It's definitely worth a trip.
Thanks a lot...If the channel ever gets big enough then my goal is to come to America and film on the battlefields...
@@redcoathistory oh you're well on your way. This is a great channel and we'll see you stateside shortly I'm sure. There were a good 7 or 8 wars in the colonies from 1675 to 1775 that are extremely interesting far too under-researched. The old Anglo and colonial military units of that century are my obsession. I really hope you go in that direction and I hope to see you in America. Break a leg.
As a foot guards re-enactor I was about to comment to dispute, then heard what you said about "probably not including the foot guards" and quieted down. Always glad to see Robbie as a guest!
Thank you for covering this regiment.
Their exploits at Camden and Guildford Courthouse are awe inspiring.
Thank you for your work! Greetings from Germany!
Many thanks. Are there other battles/campaigns you'd like to see us cover in the future?
Great video.
I have ancestors on both sides of the RevWar.
The Redcoats are overdue for some love.
A big shout out for the Coldstream Guards (2nd Foot Guards), my dad's regiment. The oldest regiment in the Royal Army formed in the Scottish village of Coldstream in the early 1660s by General Monk. Many, many battle honours including the AWI and Waterloo. Pretty elite, huh?
their motto is "Nulli Secundus" which means "second to the Grenadier Guards"
@@drno4837😂
Oooh! Second to the Grenadiers? Only on paper! Belts off Boys!
He was one of our greatest officers , even when I was in Army he was mentioned .
Washington kept the army together, that was the key to winning. Was mostly a terrible tactician, but did pull the rabbit out the hat a few times just enough to keep it going. Understood morale and understood the difficultly of uniting 13 different mini country units into one national force. Furthering proving you don’t even need to win a majority of the battles to win a war.
Washingtons tactics were not the problem. It was getting his subordinates to carry out his orders properly and with urgency. He had to deal with several inflated egos.
@@CelticHound357 It's still a miracle he keep the army together
@@ronanchristiana.belleza9270 A miracle it truly was.
@@CelticHound357 If only his officers as competent as Napoleon's own generals he would have greater chance of winning
@@ronanchristiana.belleza9270 He had good generals. As I mentioned. He had to deal with some inflated egos. But for the most part, they were good when they weren't smelling their own farts. I'm not sure I'm understanding you correctly. Washington did win.
This channel continues to inspire me. Nothing like hearing about some of the greatest hardasses of history to get you ready for the day.
That's great to hear, thanks a lot.
American here, I really enjoy your content. Keep up the great work. 👍👍
Many thanks, Sir. Are there other campaigns and conflicts you would like to see me tackle?
@@redcoathistory Definitely more War of 1812 content, but any videos on these subjects are appreciated.
Great stuff Chris, thanks for sharing.
Great interview, thanks mate.
It is good to learn about other conflicts other than the more mainstream battles. I have never really delved into the war of independence so it’s good to learn 👍🏻
Cornwallis is badly underrated he won numerous battles while constantly fighting logistical issues. The loss of America all boils down to logistics and the French
Where was the Royal Navy knowing Charles was surrounded
and trapped at Yorktown?
The British Empire needed their ships to guard local waters and India , problem with having a massive Empire is you need to guard it all. Also the ships were mostly over twenty years old and dated. Most Empires in human history fall because everyone gangs up on them. That mixed with internal corruption
Yep that’s all. Nothing to do with American resolve 😂
Of course unspoken but no French no win
@@unspoken24 while the colonial resolve was strong.. that wasn't enough without the French they lose
Brilliant, Christian and Robbie. Im really enjoying learning about all this. I can see so much more will be forthcoming. Looking forward to it.
Cheers.
Thanks mate - got a few more AWI videos in the prep phase but might be a while before I jump back in again at a deep level. Thanks again for the support.
@@redcoathistory
No worries Christian. The deep level wade can wait for later. Enjoying these shorter ones for now.
Cheers.
Quentin Kennedy's Indian Corps during the Anglo-Cherokee War is probably the most badass and unique unit I've read about.
I have never looked into this part of history. Excellent information mate. Thank you. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it mate. Got a few more good videos brewing in the next few weeks including one that has a section on your old regiment - watch this space.
@redcoathistory Thanks for the heads up mate. I will keep a watchful eye and look forward to it.
I'm not a big horn tooter, But I am very knowledgeable in the American revolution. And I must say this was an absolutely fantastic video. General and concise but still a mostly overall history of the war, while being particular about that regiment. I am going to buy that book. The only engagement he didn't talk about with cow pens where Morgan defeats Tarleton. But I'm not sure if the 33rd was engaged in that or not, so Anyway, great video!.
That's great - really happy that you enjoyed it.
Love your even-handed explanation of sh.t that went down. Cheers M8.
I’ve watched a number of your uploads and, as usual, this was great! There’s a certain respect many of us have for many of the British generals and troops of the Revolution.
If you’re interested in learning about other conflicts from Colonial America prior to the Revolution, I’d suggest reading up on:
- King Philip’s War (1675-1678)
- The four French and Indian Wars:
•King William’s War [Nine Years’ War] (1688-1697)
•Queen Anne’s War [War of the Spanish Succession] (1702-1713)
•King George’s War & The War of Jenkins’ Ear [War of the Austrian Succession] (1739-1748)
•The French and Indian War [Seven Years’ War] (1754-1763)
- Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763-1766)
There’s a lot to learn, and a good bit of it is pretty brutal. But it’s also a fascinating period, filled with legendary figures like Robert Rogers, groundbreaking tactics and new approaches to warfare, amphibious assaults, and it will help to explain why the Revolution eventually happened.
If you take a liking to it and think you’d like to eventually cover some of it, you’d be in the clear since it’s British military history as well.
Take care man, and I look forward to your future content.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a great comment - so much history and so little time! Hopefully I'll get to some of it eventually.
@@redcoathistory Haha of course, man. Thank you for the reply; that means a lot.
I’ve found that a number of British people who enjoy history tend to take an interest in Colonial America once they delve into it, since it’s a part of British history that isn’t often taught in school. It’s over a century and a half, so there’s a lot for them to learn. It’s our history, but it’s yours too.
Well, if I can condense it all down, I’d say look into King Philip’s War; King George’s War and the amphibious assault on Ft. Louisbourg; The French and Indian War; the various ranger units throughout these conflicts and their leaders (Benjamin Church, John Gorham, Robert Rogers, etc).
If you think you’d like to do something with some of this - great! If not, that’s fine too. Looking forward to the next upload!
PS I just realized - you’re South African. I thought you were from the UK. I’m usually pretty good with accents, but South African’s more subtle to my ear, and I often mistake it for an English accent. Sorry for the mixup - carry on!
I enjoyed the wars or battles before the revolutionaries war. But there a lot of American who really whaler, not taking a side.
I believe if better use of the American who supported British.
my ancestor died in action at The Battle of White Plains...very sureal to think that he could have died fighting this regiment in battle and here I am in the modern times..watching their documentary.
Something I would find interesting is a video by you comparing Washington to the 5 British commanders of the war. Washington was by far the worst tactician of the revolution but was likely a superior overall commander and strategist compared to his British contemporaries.
Especially as Washington's military carrier began as a British militia commander during the Seven years war.
Thanks a lot - that is certainly a good idea.
US MG Nathaneal Greene was the best battlefield tactician and campaign strategist on either side in the war. Indeed, he was almost the only original thinker. On the level of weapons employment, the US had BG Daniel Morgan's riflemen and British MJR Patrick Ferguson, KIA at Kings Mountain. Morgan's sharpshooters contributed to victory at both Saratoga and Cowpens.
When Washington was a Major in the British Army he was part of the incident that triggered the French and Indian War
@@user-mu6sr6ve4d He wasn't a British Army MJR, but in the Virginia militia. He wanted a royal commission, but never received one. Big mistake by His Majesty's government.
@@johntillman6068 Thanks for the clarification. I knew he was a major & fought with the British against the French.
I hope you do videos on the Royal Navy and people like Lord Nelson or Thomas Cochrane
I think you'll find that the North Lincolnshire where the elite regiment in America... They had green facings. The south Lincolnshire regiment with yellow facings, where known as the yellow bellies. Not because of the facings, but they where prone to losing there colours.
New to channel, but you should check out the battle of Monmouth Courthouse if you haven't already. Very interesting battle.
Please do more ELITE = soldiers/commanders/regiments, not just American revolution but other wars/conflicts as well.
Dear Sir, please check my channel as there are many that I'm sure you will enjoy. And yes, there are more in the pipeline also. Thanks
@@redcoathistory Guillermo Miller = Latin American wars of independence, the man was a complete soldier = capable in any position/soldiering, and deserves more recognition.
To think that Cornwallis went to India many years after this war. There is even a fort named after him in the northern state of Penang, Malaysia. I don't think he came to Malaysia though.
There's more.
The tactc that General Greene used at Guilford Courthouse was actually not his invention. Daniel Morgan invented it and used it to whip Banistre Tarleton in a smaller engagement. I think that happened at Cowpens, but I might be mistaken about where he did it (going on memory here). But Greene got the report of the success of the tactic against Tarleton, and decided to employ it on a larger scale against Cormwallis at Guilford Courthouse, where it worked well again.
As an interesting connection to your Indian videos, Cornwallis was later Governor General of India (succeeded by my ancestor Sir George Barlow Bt.) As a result of his experiences in America he introduced guidelines into the Indian Civil Service to discourage locals from marrying Brits as he felt that it caused mixed loyaties of the type that lead to the American revolution.
Interesting - thanks I didn't know about the mixed marriages thing.
The 33rd regiment of foot was very good in empire total war.
Excellent video! I have one question. What specifically made the 33rd "elite?" The term elite is used a lot to describe regular units, especially in the American Civil War. In modern militaries, the elite units have specialized training with sometimes half or more of the candidatesdropped (washed out). Just the very best survive the training and join the units. When I think of modern elite units, I think of the British SAS, U.S. Navy Seals and Army Delta, and the French Foreign Legion. They go through months and years of specialized training. What made the 33rd, not just good,, but elite? Thanks for taking the time to read my comment - and hopefully reply.
Thanks!
I believe they went over this in an earlier video. Basically Cornwallis made sure to only handpick the best men to be officers. They weren't elite like special forces but more like the american 3rd infantry regiment (the old guard)
@@mitchellline4242 Thanks for the reply. The U.S. Old Guard are certainly excellent ceremonial troops. I just think the term elite is a little over used. One example of a 19th century elite unite was Berdan's sharp shooters. (The 1st U.S. Sharpshooters.) You had to pass a marksmanship test to join the unit. Many tried but most failed. It sounds like the 33rd accepted anyone into the ranks but the officers were excellent and therefore trained the regiment to an above average standard for that time period. But I reserve the right to be wrong once again.
Hi - I use the term "elite" more as a way to make it relevant to modern audiences...You are correct in that the term isn't really the right one for the times...what they were was an excellent line infantry regiment but that is a much harder headline to write!
@@redcoathistory Makes sense. I know it is outside your Redcoat history area of knowledge and perhaps interest, but I would be interested in a video comparing, who I believe was the finest 19th century general, Wellington, to the top four U.S. Civil War Union generals: Grant, Meade, Sherman, and Sheridan. Other than Kearny, I have always felt the Union generals were too timid whereas Wellington was amazing both in defense and on the offensive. Keep up the great work!
@@karlking4980 all the best civil war generals were confederates.
Camden, where Cornwallis gave Tarleton the opportunity to further hone his genocidal inclinations that first appeared at Waxhaws. Morgan finally broke Tarleton at Cowpens, but the stench of Tarleton’s behavior was so great that when Cornwallis’ officers were invited to dine with Washington’s, Tarleton was specifically excluded from the invitation. With great sensitivity, the British Army promoted Tarleton to General, and the British zeitgeist made him a member of Parliament. Where he proceeded to sustain his career in public life with lifelong and virulent opposition to the abolition of slavery. Rather than ostracizing “The Butcher of Waxhaws,” British society applauded and promoted this war criminal.
The British Army used red battle dress for about 243 years, from c. 1642, with Cromwell's New Model Army, until replaced in combat by khaki c. 1885. "Venetian red" dye was the cheapest available in the 1640s and later.
And we've returned the favor several times.
The problem with the Southern Campaign of 1780 was lack of good intelligence. It did not take into account the presence of the Over-the-Mountain-Boys in eastern Tennessee and Kentucky who were frontiersman with combat experience fighting native American tribes. Virulent patriots who hated the crown because of the stop to immigration west of the Alleghenies after the 7 years' war. My family lived in Tennessee and Kentucky during that time and originally came from western North Carolina. They had close connection with their former relatives in the Carolinas and Virginia and came to their aid during the 1780 campaign versus the Loyalists and the later British reinforcements at King's Mountain. Their great utility to the Patriot cause were as a morale boost from being reinforcements and Napoleon said "God favors the Army with Bigger Battalions" it still was attritional warfare, experienced scouts, and excellent riflemen (on the frontier if you are not a good shot your family probably starves during the winter, the west had extremely low excess food production and there was no transportation infrastructure.)The most avid Patriot supporters were in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains while the Loyalists were mostly centered in the Tidewater coastal areas and not very militant in comparison.
Battle of Guilford Court House was the beginning of the end for the British , they "won" the battle but post victory decisions after such a calamity of personnel loss ( estimated as one quarter of the British ) amongst the redcoats put the events that lead to total surrender by the British into motion.
Very interesting hearing the British perspective. Sounds a little like the Boer War years later, from a British Perspective. A western trained guerrilla force against a superior imperial force. The Americans learned guerrilla tactics in the French Indian War.
Not really mate. The Continental army won the war because they learned to fight the British at the own game and beat them in a stand up fight - it's a bit of a myth about them being some sort of guerilla force. On Tuesday we have a video dropping about this. I think you'll like it.
Funnily enough so did the British...
I would suggest that the Scottish Regiments are elite troops in Battle, just saying 😎🇬🇧👊
Don't forget the 23rd foot regiment.
Just mentioned the Vietnam water in American see if they wish to talk about it as much as they talk about other wars or incidentally how the Beatles with the French intervention
Hold on. That guy in the thumbnail isn't a British general. That's Benjamin Franklin!
People talking about Americans and French winning the war is weird.
Guys, like 1/3rd of Americans were loyalists to the British. There were battles between Americans based on allegiance.
Also, yes, the French helped but the Spanish and Belgians were vital too.
Spain helped with American troop payrolls, provided cannons, uniforms. The most common currency in the Americas at the time was Spanish.
The British and Union loyalists were defeated in part not because “We kicked their ass.”
In was because we spread their resources thin and wore them down.
While they were fighting us, they were also committing large masses of troops in both the Siege of Gibraltar for many years, Menorca and the West Indies.
We have France AND Spain to thank for those diversions.
Would love to know what the Indians were doing during the revolution, and how the alliances of the previous wars influenced their decisions.
Most of the native americans were allied to the British due to the Proclamation of 1763 which gave the lands west of the mountains to them and restricted colonial expansion. The British did not want a replay of Pontiac's War which took a lot of effort and expense to win.
Perhaps Mr. Niven can discuss the elite units that guarded the Crown's notorious prison ships and prisons in NYC. 11,500 Anericans died in such, almost three times the number, 4,300, killed in action during the entire course of the war.
Grand invention that, waterborne Black Holes of Calcutta.
Some of the blame needs to rest with the colonists, as food and medical supplies were their responsibility,
To be honest Gates was the worst general in the Continental Army...and was in command at Camden. While Gates also had command at Saratoga that was very much Benedict Arnold who won that battle. Gates also was responsible for the American van falling back at Monmouth instead of standing and Washington had to rally the van.
Which is the best computer strategy game to play if you want to put history right in the Rebellion of the Colonies?
Great question...I'm not sure - anyone else want to join this thread?
I’d highly recommend Ultimate General: American Revolution. It’s challenging, wicked fun and it gets very in depth. It’s historically accurate where it needs to be, however it also leaves enough open-ended where it’s also a sandbox experience. For example, the Continental Navy never had sixth rates. However, if you choose to do so, you can eventually research and build them.
It’s still in early access and only the American campaign is available. However, additional content is regularly uploaded, which will eventually include the British campaign. From what I’ve read, it will be very different from the American campaign, with its own set of unique mechanics and challenges.
In time, you’ll be able to satisfy your lust to conquer us and put us all to the sword. 😉
@@greghoyt4061 Thank you ever so much!! I've played their Gettysburg and American Civil War games and enjoyed them tremendously so I'll give this one a go!!
It is interesting to what the Brits have to say about the AR. I think in the south, you are leaving out it was brother vs brother feud. The British didn't help. With Banister Tarlton, Fergusion would try to talk. His big mistake was talking about going over the mountains killing and burning people and their homes. People who were very use to fighting Indians, they hacked their homes out of the wilderness. These people were not push overs. I do believe that if Tarlton had of been killed instead of Fergusion, there might have been a bite of a difference. There was a rub between the three and neither Cornwallis nor Tarlton would come to Ferguson's aid. At Camden, the Americans were poorly led. They had no supplies to support their movements. The British, were well led and supplied. As for the militia, most had hunting rifles. They had a distance of two hundred yards or more. They were very slow to load and no bayonets. The Brown Bess in my opinion was the AK47 of its day. Guilford Court house was a redo of Cowpens. Tarlton should have told them, not to screw up like he did. Then Cornwallis had to fire on his own troops. Also, I think you left out Cornwallis destroyed his own supplies. Tables, chairs and none combat items to keep up with Greene. Greene spares with him, then crosses the Dan River. There are no boats, so Cornwallis pulls back, and Greene recrosses the river. I may have missed some of this, he is a good speaker, but dry as a popcorn fart. But that is the worst I can say, I enjoyed the video. Because now we are in the 3rd rule of French warfare. Let the British and the Americans make up and they will do most of your fighting for you. lol
The 33rd Regiment of Foot missed the battles which won the North for the US, Saratoga, and, even though they were in the region, the South, ie Cowpens.
You forgot Cowpens. Maybe the 33rd wasn’t part of that battle.
Great video. However, Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown with 5,000 British soldiers and some 2,000+ Hessian mercenaries.
US had a navy, just a tuny one. John Paul Jones.
I don't know why you say that Yorktown wasn't really the end of the Revolutionary War. Within months loyalists were evacuated from the colonies. There were no more major engagements within the 13 colonies afterwards. It took two years to get to the treaty of Paris but Yorktown was it as far as major combats are concerned. Your guest dismissively makes comments about later actions with "Americans aren't taught that". We are not taught that because things happening in the Caribbean are not our history and only tangentially related to the Revolutionary War.
So, yeah, Yorktown was the end of the Revolutionary War. British diddling about in the rest of the world, which would continue on until the middle of the 20th century, shockingly enough, is not deeply studied in the US.
In the 90s I visited every American Revolution battlefield on vacations😮. From Quebec to Kings Mountain😊. Fun trips. I do have a British officers gorget from 1778
Very cool! I hope to visit also one day. Which battlefield was the most interesting for you?
we had been outed by french
Bloody French.
British generals were largely incompetent. They had every advantage in men, mobility and material. Yet they staggered about as if they couldn’t drink enough alcohol.
Tally ho to the whiskey barrel for 7 years! So glad the French unglued them from the bar!
We did not defeat the British. We outlasted them. The Taliban did the same thing to us in Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and Vietnam was the same thing.
Hit and run tactics like the North American indigenous warriors used. Whinkler's Osprey books are recommended reads. Point Pleasant, Tippecanoe, etc.
That is just not true. The British were decisively defeated in the field. Thats why Conwallis surrendered at Yorktown.
Britain lost America but we have a new owner now, Israel.
Just try telling an American, particularity a republican, that they only won the war because of the French, and see just how far you get. Mind you, they did win.
Yeah, ! Most do not realise Britain was fighting in Europe and India at the same time.
The French definitely helped us win the war but to say they are the “only” reason, is ignorant. They won MANY battles without the help of the French. We definitely didn’t have a Navy equal to the Brits and that’s where the French assistance was invaluable! Although the Brits also could not have won a War of Attrition(at that time) with an extremely determined enemy, with the distances they were from the battlefields.
As a Republican myself, I don’t know anyone that doesn’t give France the credit they are due and of course we know this! It IS taught in American History classes in American schools.
I’m an American Republican and understand how we didn’t do this on our own. I rarely meet a serious early US historian in the US that’s a Democrat so your point is pretty inaccurate.
@@GrumpyGenXGramps yea I don’t see too many people thinking we did this on our own. At least not many that are watching these types of history videos haha
@@zacharyfisher8152 only those that failed American History 101! LOL They’re just as ignorant as those that say it’s “only” because of the French! The Founders already knew ew we would get French support and that England was already stretched thin! It was the perfect time to rebel and stop paying for those other wars!
LOL
Still, not too bad for a bunch of farmer militiamen with squirrel rifles!
Good thing the Brits lost. Saved us all from becoming throne sniffing plebs.
22nd (Cheshire) Regiiment of Foot. There's a very good reason why their motto is/was "Ever Glorious."" They too were in almost every serious engagement of the revolutionary war with success.
Biggest mistake the yanks ever made
The yank did only win because they had the French there and it took three months for us to send fresh troops over , God if Wellington had been in charge I think history would be different
Wellington was only born in 1769. He would have been 14 when it ended in 1783.
@jamesmaier1223 yes mate your right I ment the comment as more of a reference, but about 1812
Brits still crying that they lost, get over it and yourselves. 🙄👎
What in the video seems to be crying or resentful?