"Instruction for Officers detached in the field 1775" Topic

'Military Instructions for OFFICERS detached in the field: : containing, A SCHEME for forming A CORPS of a PARTISAN. Illustrated with plans of the manoeuvres necessary in carrying on the PETITE GUERRE'

Roger Stevens (1775)

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Interesting. According to the preface, this was a publication designed for use by the nascent American army. It is addressed "to the honourable George Washington, Esq." and others.

Jim

Was it followed?

You can also find it here for downloading:

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Not knowing who Stevens was I couldn't be sure, but it may be that this edition was 'pirated' (in modern terms) and published in Philadelphia by the Editor, Hugh Henry Ferguson, from an original work by Roger Stevens; copyright restrictions, as we know being non-existent in those days.

The works seems to have been written in the context of campaigning in Europe with no reference to the campaign circumstances of the colonies, or armed forces available to the Continental congress.

Printed in 1775?
That's way before the need for Patriot Partisan units would be necessary. Or not.

Irregular warfare/partisan warfare was conducted in North America long before 1775 by the French, Indians, American ranger units (Rogers and Gorham's) and the British.

And la petite guerre was practiced long before in Europe by the Austrians, French, and Prussians.

Generally speaking, the warfare is conducted first, then it is written about in Instructions and Regulations.

G'Day Gents

The book is from:

Monsieur DE JENEY

Le partisan ou l'art de faire la petite-guerre avec succès selon le génie de nos jours 1759

Link:

link

Best Regards
Art

Thanks, Art. That explains a lot.