Why, from a Historical Perspective, this isn't Good Art

Dear Reader,

I'm glad the clickbait title has drawn you in. Today, we are going to examine two pieces of historical art. Ambush!, by Dan Nance, shows a Native American warrior about to attack a senior British officer during the American War of Independence. The other, below, shows a specific incident from the Battle of Savannah during the American War of Independence. At the outset, I should say that both images are artistically appealing. Mr. Nance is a fine painter, who has painted many other historical pieces which I like.

So, why isn't the painting of the Native American warrior attacking a British officer, below, a helpful image from a historical perspective? First, this image trades on common stereotypes regarding both Native Americans and the British Army during the War of Independence. The Native Warrior is shown jumping (presumably from a tree?) with club raised and screaming. The British officer, presumably from the 7th (Royal Fuziliers) or 8th (King's) Regiment of Foot, given his uniform. His sword is drawn, and is he looking rather obliviously in the opposite direction. Even his horse has noticed the oncoming warrior.





















































Both of these ideas (that the Native Americans were masters of the ambush, and that the British were remarkably ill-suited for wilderness warfare) are stock images from American mythology, and give little information regarding the actual reality of the past. Native American warriors were impressive soldiers in certain conditions, but certainly fell prey to ambush by Euro-American warriors. A famous example of this is during the Siege of Fort Sackville by George Rogers Clark, when Clark's forces took a Native war party by surprise.[1] Likewise, British forces had learned much regarding wilderness warfare since the early days of the French and Indian War, and were capable of fighting in wilderness conditions.


Second, the above image deliberately obscures historical reality. Much more often than not, the specific regiment which is depicted above fought alongside native warriors. The King's Regiment fought alongside native Americans at engagements such as the Cedars, Fort Stanwix, Fort Laurens, Hannastown, Bird's Invasion of Kentucky, and perhaps most famously, at the Battle of Newtown in 1779.[2] By and large, for good or ill, the King's Regiment fought alongside Native Americans throughout the War of Independence, not against them. If the 7th Regiment was depicted, the image is also somewhat less egregious, but the 7th Regiment of Foot spent much of the war fighting in larger coastal armies, and to my knowledge, was never ambushed by the Catawba or any other Native group.

Third, there are liberties taken with the material culture of the image. The enlisted men and drummer wear gaitered trousers, which is possible for the 8th Regiment, but not confirmed by documentary evidence. Finally, it is perhaps unlikely that a drummer would have accompanied raids deep into the upper country, and certainly would not have been beating a march step during this type of movement. The British officer appears to be wearing a hat purchased from GG Godwin, Sutler. His uniform is immaculate, if a bit large for him. Speaking frankly, I am not qualified to evaluate the accuracy of the dress of the Native Warrior (it is possible that it is of a very high standard).

Fourth, and finally, the image does not depict a specific historical event. No senior officers of the Royal Fuziliers or King's Regiment were killed in ambush by Native American warriors during the years of the American War of Independence. Many of them died, often from illness or being drowned while on transport ships on the Great Lakes. A shipwreck on the Lakes, would be an incredibly interesting artistic project for the various excellent artists currently exploring the revolution.

So, in short, whatever the artistic value of the above image, it possesses a questionable historical value.

Artist Graham Turner's image of the Battle of Savannah, painted for Osprey

The above image, depicting Archibald Campbell at the capture of Savannah by artist Graham Turner, may not be equal artistic appeal, but possesses much more historical value than the ambush of the Native Warrior above. 

First of all, the image depicts a specific historical event, described by a primary source.[3] When preparing to attack the rebel held city of Savannah, Lt. Colonel Archibald Campbell climbed a tree in order to better observe the rebel defensive positions. He also spoke with an enslaved man regarding a flanking route for his army's march, which is perhaps a missed opportunity in the painting.

Second, in choosing a specific historical event, the image destroys mythology regarding the British Army in the War of Independence. The popular view of British officers in the United States is that they were hide-bound traditionalist fops with little real experience in the arena of war. By showing a British officer who was willing to think outside the box and get is hands dirty a bit, Graham Turner displays a class of generally competent senior officers such as Howe, Cornwallis, and Campbell who were not afraid to innovate in order to gain victory in America.

Third, the uniforms are generally accurate. Turner's artwork shows the 71st Regiment of Foot in short coats and linen gaiter trousers with highland bonnets, all fairly responsible choices for this era of war. Woolen donation-cloth trousers might have been a better choice for this time of year (although I am not familiar with the primary source documentation for this particular regiment, so I cannot say) but this is a relatively minor quibble. Likewise, the tree may not have been defoliated at this time of year in Savannah. It is difficult to tell whether Campbell is wearing his own hair or a wig, which pleased me greatly.

So, in closing, both images are very enjoyable and artistically sound. With that said, images which depict specific events from primary sources, coupled with a theme which explores the reality, rather than the mythology of historical eras, are an asset to historians, and to the public. Accurate, well-presented uniforms are icing on the cake.

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Thanks for Reading, 

Alex Burns

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[1] Journal of Joseph Bowman, February 24th, 1779 https://www.in.gov/history/2964.htm
[2] Journal of Thomas Blake, 1st NH Regiment, August 29th, 1779, http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/1pa/1picts/sullivan/nhjournals.html#norris
[3] See Matthew H. Spring, With Zeal and With Bayonets Only, 66 and Archibald Campbell, Journal of an Expedition, 25-26.

Prussian Journals: IR 3 at Lobositz

Prussian Musketeers from the IR 13 open fire

Dear Reader,

Today, we have another selection from Urkundliche Beiträge. In this selection, another IR 3 NCO describes his experiences at Lobositz. The soldier sent this information home in a letter to his father,  dated October 6th, 1756. 

On the first of October, a glorious day, God assisted the Prussian arms, and so I send you this account.  On September 30th, our army marched out of camp at Johnsdorf, and moved in the area of Lobositz. We left around 12am, without the slightest idea that the enemy army was so near.  At daybreak, we knew they enemy was not very far from us, because they  had already saluted us with some cannon fire. Our Majesty the King shook out the whole column, consisting of 30,000 men, in order of battle, and marched out towards the enemy army, which we had heard from deserters and prisoners consisted of as many as 60,000 men.  We met the same (the enemy) in such an advantageous  and cunning posture, that I felt compelled to make note of the details.

The area in which the enemy stood was a long series of vineyard slopes, some of which were at certainly twice as tall as the so-called "red tower," in Halle.  In these vineyard slopes, there were collections of raised stone walls,  behind which 4,000 Pandours and Hungarian Infantry had taken cover. Along the top of these ridges, their whole army had taken up position, with strong right and left wings, with many heavy guns in prepared positions. A second line was positioned in hollow ditches, which the whole line could use to protected themselves if they were forced to retire. They had an astonishing amount of artillery standing before them, and their army seemed as well situated as could be thought, that it seemed impossible to evict them from such an awesome position.

All this notwithstanding, our Majesty the King decided to attack this position. Accordingly, about 7:30am, our cannons began to play at the vineyards. The dreadful heights prevented our guns from having the desired effects. Now, as our army, in its advance, approached the vineyards, the Pandours and infantry behind the stone walls poured a veritable hail of bullets on us, they  threw their guns over their shoulders, and scrambled like cats up the mountain. We advanced at once without being led astray, behind them up the slopes. This whole time, we were forced, without returning fire, to endure an unbearable cannon fire. However, we finally advanced under their guns and ascended the slope, and then we saw the whole enemy cavalry in front of us, and they prepared to hew at us. But our cavalry, which came up from our second line, counter-charged the enemy cavalry. The Austrians, seeing this: that our cavalry was advancing on them hotly, retired in good order behind their cannons and strongpoints. 

By this strategy, the lead elements of our cavalry came in danger, as the enemy  artillery received them with canister loaded. As a result, they had to withdraw behind our infantry screen. Then our infantry advanced, heedless of danger, in such a way that they fled out of their ditches. This was the beginning of our happy success. Their infantry had sat down, in order to see the cavalry of both sides attacking each other, and in what ditches remained, they awaited us. The enemy cavalry, seeing that our infantry would be advanced again, retired as before. Our cavalry, did not sit idly by, but made for the infantry, and for the second time advanced beyond us. They advanced heartily in good order, and the whole enemy force was thrown into the greatest angst and confusion, and was forced to quit the field: a sign of our perfect victory.  This battle, as long as the world stands, will not be surpassed in bravery or length. 

While our NCO might seem to have a flair for the melodramatic, he records some useful experiences. 

Thanks for reading!

Alex Burns 

Prussian Journals: Anonymous NCO at Lobostiz

The Von Schmalen's engraving of IR 3 

Dear Reader,

The following correspondence is from a NCO in the Alt-Anhalt Regiment (IR 3) describing the Battle of Lobositz, on October 1st, 1756. This source comes from Curt Jany's Urkundliche Beiträge, a massive source collection published in 1901. Any mistakes in translation are mine.                 

"On the 30th of September, our column broke camp at Türmitz at 6am, but a heavy fog delayed our start until 10am, since we had to connect with our column from Gartiz. We marched with renewed vigor through the area of Wellemin over a height, the king himself with a few persons performed a reconnaissance, and met with an enemy forward post of 50 men. A hussar tried to press the matter by shooting at the King with his pistol, but it failed him both times. So God protected his anointed. The King was aware of the attempted shots, and because of firing, and the darkness (it was after 7pm) the King withdrew. He ordered that our regiment should advance to the front. This was done, but the enemy did not stand and fight. Many regiments remained standing ready, and our regiment pulled back through Wellemin and another hill with another part of our column. so that we halted about 10pm. Our whole army remained under the open sky, and passed the night in cold and hunger. About midnight, Lt. von Krosigk asked me if I would bring up the blankets and packhorses, in order for us to be warm. I walked around for almost an hour in order to try and resist the cold, now and then stopping around a fire, and I came to a carriage guarded by four grenadiers. Immediately I heard the sound of several hundred muskets discharging. The king stuck his head out of the carriage and asked, "what is that?" A grenadier answered, "the enemy are attacking our people." Because I was somewhat removed from the regiment, I made my way back. We afterwards learned that some of the regiment of Quadt and Manteuffel made an error in the dark and stumbled onto some of the Austrian outposts. I brought my Lieutenant no blankets, but my Tornister served us as a pillow, with the earth as our bed, and the heavens as our blanket.

With the coming of morning on October 1st, our army left the camp where it had experienced hunger, thirst, and cold, and in addition  at 8am endured some rain which came in between the mountain and the valley. The King placed the infantry in two lines and the cavalry in reserve. Our left flank consisting of the grenadiers and regiments Itzenplitz, Manteuffel, etc, marched into high ground with vineyards, but had highly sour work, the like of which you will read in almost no war stories. They marched loosely, finding enemies in hollow ways, deep trenches, and behind walls, and purchased every step with precious Prussian blood. Their work lasted from 8am to 2pm, in constant fire without the slightest cessation. Our left wing had really almost given way,  as its 60 cartridges had been shot away, therefore from the right wing, 30 cartridges from each man were sent during an opportunity from our regiment. During this transfer, 2 men were killed and 2 men were wounded. After 2pm, they succeeded with God's help, the enemy were driven from the hilltop through the town of Lobositz, on the Elbe. The Markgraf of Baden-Baden was responsible for the pursuit, and set his cavalry on the infantry. But before it could come to this, our cavalry had to pass through our infantry and attack the Austrian cavalry. Because they stood in the way of much cannon fire, they had to retreat in disorder and they halted at the foot of the mountain under the protection of our regiment. They attacked again and put to enemy's cavalry to flight. The King stopped behind me and asked the adjutant, "what is that?" He responded, " The Austrian cavalry is in retreat." The king then took his eyeglass and said to FM Keith, when he found the adjutant was correct, "Sir, the battle is won." I could see with my eyes that he was correct. The Austrian cavalry withdrew from hollow way, and the Austrian infantry of the second line were forced to move, so the cavalry could pass by. Our cavalry hesitated, as they saw many enemy soldiers still capable of resistance in front of them, and still were receiving fire from two artillery batteries. So they fled in the greatest disorder. The king cried, "Front" but it was "Surdis narratur fabula," (a story told to the deaf)  and they rode up to the mountain in ones and twos. The King sent the adjutant Count Frederick to them and commanded them to once more attack, and said to us, "Take heed what the officers command, don't let the cavalry through, shoot them down." Thereupon Count Frederick returned, and said to the Colonel, "What has ruined the cavalry, that the infantry have improved and become gentlemen? You fellows, you will again do well!" So he pushed through our battalion and brought the King a report, but I could not understand what he said.  

The King said to FM Keith, "We want to move out and attack." FM Keith objected, and the attack was aborted. Finally, the King allowed our ruined and battered cavalry to withdraw behind the infantry, but they did not remain there long. For our left wing had moved further into the hills, moving with both the first and second line, but as this was not long enough, they were joined by the cavalry of the first line, but this cavalry remained as inactive as the cavalry on our right wing. Meanwhile, the Austrian cavalry moved into the village of Sullowitz, where the Margraf had a beautiful animal park, and then came through and made as if they were going to attack us. Then the gunners of our battalion set the village on fire with two cannon shots. In this way, the enemy cavalry was forced from the village, they moved hastily out of the village in the utmost disorder. Our Green Hussars stood at the foot of the mountain, some Austrian hussars hunted and provoked them. Ours gave fire at the same, without injuring them. 

Our right wing had been watching for several hours, when finally our left wing managed to dislodge its enemies, which consisted of 3,000 pandours and eight grenadier battalions. The greater portion of these enemies fled into Lobostiz, but since they came under our cannon fire, fled in great disorder through their remaining cavalry and infantry. Now our army received new life, as our long serving and experienced officers, who had been in doubt about the outcome of the battle, realized that all was going to be well.  Our army was quite small, only about 28,000 men, while according to rumor the enemy numbered 66,000 men. The enemy wounded and prisoners swore firmly to this, and unanimously agreed. For the most part, our infantry had not had anything since September 30th, and had fought a Battle on October 1st. The horses and cavalry had not eaten in 48 hours and had only had water once. On the other hand, the enemy had on the 30th been given some wine, and their officers had made them great promises for bravery. They also were promised great plunder should they come to Brandenburg. Notwithstanding God and our just cause, our impoverished people would have been prostrated before a strong enemy."

While this NCO, name, alas unknown, gets some of the details wrong in terms of number, (there were 29,000 Prussians and 34,000 Austrians at this battle) he still provides many interesting details which given insight into the operations of the Prussian army. 

Thanks for reading,

Alex Burns 

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Readers,

In America, we are celebrating Thanksgiving. While this holiday is about 20 years too early for the Kabinettskreige era, (1621) I thought that my American readers might be interested in reading the primary sources which this holiday is based on.

The first is from Edward Winslow in Mourt's Relation:

"our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a

special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day

killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time

amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and

amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we

entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the

Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be

not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far

from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

The second is from William Bradford in, Of Plymouth Plantation:

"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and

dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good

plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about

cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion.

All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached,

of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And

besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison,

etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn

to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends

in England, which were not feigned but true reports."

Both of these, and more info, is available here:
http://www.pilgrimhallmuseum.org/pdf/TG_What_Happened_in_1621.pdf

Enjoy your day, and thanks for reading!

Alex