POSTED RESPONSE TO A COLUMN BY ANDEW EXUM IN THE GUARDIANThis piece by Andrew Exum displays serious lack of knowledge about the American Revolution.
First, George Washington never fought in the style of insurgents or guerrillas, despite the myths around that notion.
Washington believed in traditional armies of the British and French style. He personally designed his army's uniforms, and he was a strict disciplinarian.
Washington had always wanted a British regular army commission for his work in the Seven Years (aka, the French and Indian) War, but he never received one. This was one of his own great grievances against Britain. He was a great admirer of the British military.
After the first genuine revolt in and around Boston - where people had indeed used guerrilla tactics - the Continental Congress - moneyed men who felt they had something at stake - had George Washington assume control of the militias that had been democratically electing their leaders and going back to the farm after a fight.
Washington was extremely harsh, in the traditions of 18th century European command, employing lashings and hanging, and if you read his letters, you'll see he had absolute contempt for the militia-style forces of Boston. He called them scum among many other charming names.
So Washington fought pretty conventional battles, and he was such a poor general he lost almost all of them. His only clear victory was a minor attack at Trenton.
But there were other talented generals - one was the future traitor Aaron Burr, largely responsible for the first great victory at Saratoga (Burr betrayed Washington for much the same reason Washington joined the revolution – that is, he felt his talents weren’t recognized and rewarded).
French secretly-supplied arms also played a crucial role there. British upper-class prejudice - all senior commanders were aristocrats - towards the abilities of colonials also played some role, especially in their choosing risky tactics such as those leading up to Saratoga.
The final decisive victory at Yorktown was completely owing to French commanders. Washington actually had not even wanted to fight this battle, planning stubbornly for a (hopeless) assault on New York almost to the last. Yorktown involved the classic engineering techniques of investing a fortress.
The real truth of Britain's loss involves two major aspects. One, the French assistance with great amounts of money, secretly smuggled arms, ships of the French fleet, and some very capable commanders.
Most Americans were either indifferent to, or against, the Revolution. It is estimated only about a third supported it. Indeed, as the war went on with no success, Americans became even more indifferent. So France was crucial, and France wanted vengeance for defeat in the Seven Years War.
Second, most of the British commanders did not take the matter seriously enough. Howe had shown he was an immensely more capable commander than Washington, who made blunder after blunder, but did not vigorously pursue his advantage.
He likely could have rolled up Washington's army completely within a year or so, instead of following such dainty practices as going to winter quarters and allowing Washington to march off, hide, and re-group.
Washington won in spite of himself. His main merit as a commander was the loyalty he could command from some. He often foolishly exposed himself in battle and escaped being killed by pure luck, but many witnessing these acts could not help but come to admire him.
By the way, although the myth says Washington served for no salary, his agreement with the Continental Congress was actually a cost-plus contract, the most favorable arrangement someone could have.
He submitted a bill at the end of hostilities for the best part of half a million dollars - a lot of money then - which included items such as wine every night at his table. He was promptly paid while the ordinary enlistees went unpaid.
This led to several revolts in the army, threatening the Continental Congress. Finally, they were paid in script of little worth, the shrewd businessman Washington, as always looking for the chance to increase his wealth, bought up some of it up at great discounts.
At places like Valley Forge, while enlisted ordinary men suffered, Washington's table was always set with plenty of wine and a good variety of food, as befits the aristocrat that he was and regarded himself.
