INFANTRY IN BATTLE: 1733-1783

1-905141

Reexamines 18th-century warfare, highlighting enlisted soldiers' adaptability, tactical influence, and pivotal battlefield roles. Argues that 18th-century soldiers informally negotiated authority with their officers on the battlefield by firing without orders, firing at longer ranges than their officers preferred, and by taking cover on the battlefield. In this process, these enlisted men played an important role by asserting tactical reforms from below. Grounded in archival research on the American, British, and Prussian armies but also covers the armies of military Europe more broadly, and includes writings from Austrian, French, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish soldiers. Contains 20 black and white illustrations and maps, 3 tables, and 3 graphs.