Special Operations in the American Revolution

by Robert L Tonsetic

Overview

In this book, renowned author, and former U.S. Army Colonel, Robert Tonsetic describes and analyzes numerous examples of special operations conducted during the Revolution.

"What is unique about this book is the perspective. To a modern-day reader, special ops conjure images of highly trained and exotically equipped soldiers leaping out of helicopters and Zodiac boats to wipe out terrorists... In an era when warfare was supposed to be gentlemanly and follow certain rules, did Washington and his contemporaries embrace special operations? The answer would seem to be, ‘Yes.' Even if they didn't use the term 'special ops,' they were willing to employ elite reconnaissance units, spies and partisan bands. Washington didn't have SEAL Team 6. But he made good use of what he had.” —The National Interest

When the American Revolution began, the colonial troops had little hope of matching His Majesty's highly trained, experienced British and German legions in confrontational battle. In this book, renowned author, and former U.S. Army Colonel, Robert Tonsetic describes and analyzes numerous examples of special operations conducted during the Revolution.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612008936
Publisher:	Casemate Publishers
Publication date:	09/03/2020
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	445,687
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Robert Tonsetic was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in English Literature in 1964. Upon graduation, he entered the US Army as an infantry second lieutenant. After completing Special Forces training in 1966, he served a tour in Thailand with the 46th Special Forces Company. He was subsequently assigned to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam, serving as a rifle company commander during the Tet and May Offensives of 1968. In 1970, he returned to Vietnam as a senior advisor to South Vietnamese Ranger and Airborne battalions. His decorations for his wartime service include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star for Valor. He retired from the Army at the rank of Colonel in 1991, after completing a three year assignment as a faculty member at the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy. Upon his return to the US, Robert earned a Doctorate in Education, and was employed at the University of Central Florida as a staff member and adjunct professor. He died in April 2016 in Easton, MD.

Table of Contents

Prologue 7

1 The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga 21

2 The New Providence Raid 45

3 Knowlton's Rangers 67

4 Whitcomb's Rangers 97

5 John Paul Jones' Raids on Britain's Coast 111

6 Partisan Warfare in the Northern Theater 136

7 The Rise of Partisan Warfare in the Southern Theater 150

8 The Whaleboat Wars 194

9 George Rogers Clark's March to Vincennes 223

Epilogue 247

Endnotes 250

Bibliography 259

Index 264

Maps

Northern Theater 20

The Continental Navy's Assault on New Providence, "Battle of Nassau" 44

The Batdes of Long Island and Harlem Heights 66

The Voyage of the Ranger 124

Operations in the South, 1780 153

Kings Mountain-Routes of Patriots and Loyalists 176

The Battle of Kings Mountain, October 7, 1780 189

Whaleboat Operations, 1777-81 195

George Rogers Clark's March to Vincennes, February, 1779 222

Editorial Reviews

"The author is a very good story teller. He brings the events to life through the stories of the participants. The book fills a void in the literature of the American Revolution. Added bonuses are the book's bibliography. It is excellent. The operational maps and photos also compliment the narrative. … It is a must addition to the library of every military historian as well as students of the American revolutionary War. Dr. Tonsetic has crafted an exciting book."

Kepler’s Military History

"This was an excellent book; it was well-researched, entertaining, and fun to read, and it provided a unique perspective on the methods used to win the War of Independence. The author described in great depth the events preceding the battles, and how these small special operations units were vital to the American cause. This is a great book for the neophyte historian or any casual reader."

City Book Review

The individual chapters offer very useful introductions to the various raids and operations covered, many of which are minor actions that could make ideal scenarios for small battles or large skirmish wargame. […] Recommended for wargamers already interested in the American Revolution seeking further scenarios for their miniature forces.

Miniature Wargames

"...a satisfying combination of the well-known, such as the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, to the relatively obscure, such as the exploits throughout much of the war of Patriot Benjamin Whitcomb and his rangers in the area between Fort Ticonderoga and Montreal."

The Journal of America’s Military Past

"Tonsetic is a skilled and knowledgeable historian who provides a well crafted important study of a relatively neglected aspect of the Revolutionary War....Highly recommended"

Choice

"What is unique about this book is the perspective. To a modern-day reader, special ops conjure images of highly trained and exotically equipped soldiers leaping out of helicopters and Zodiac boats to wipe out terrorists. . . . In an era when warfare was supposed to be gentlemanly and follow certain rules, did Washington and his contemporaries embrace special operations? The answer would seem to be, ‘Yes.' Even if they didn't use the term 'special ops,' they were willing to employ elite reconnaissance units, spies and partisan bands. Washington didn't have SEAL Team 6. But he made good use of what he had.

The National Interest

"Serving as a wonderful resource for both minor and major skirmishes and operations during the course of the Revolutionary War, the book includes 9 maps and 23 illustrations—with a selection of photos taken from the author’s own camera lens."

The Colonial Review

…overall a really excellent book. It really screams out as an excellent source for wargames scenarios as well as just a good read about the extraordinary actions of ordinary men during wartime. The book will appeal to those interested in the Revolutionary War and also to those interested in the history of Special Forces operations. So a real winner all round!

Wargamer

"In Special Operations during the American Revolution, Robert Tonsetic instructively showcases militia raids and attacks against the British in the Revolutionary War and makes suggestive comparisons to present-day Special Operations. His engrossing book will appeal strongly to both undergraduates and general readers"

Michigan War Studies Review

"Many of the operations Tonsetic touches upon are often overlooked in the literature of the war."

The NYMAS Review

"well-written, easy to follow work that does an excellent job telling many small stories of the American Revolution."

Military Heritage

"...a satisfying combination of the well-known, such as the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, to the relatively obscure, such as the exploits throughout much of the war of Patriot Benjamin Whitcomb and his rangers in the area between Fort Ticonderoga and Montreal."

The Journal of America’s Military Past

"The author is a very good story teller. He brings the events to life through the stories of the participants. The book fills a void in the literature of the American Revolution. Added bonuses are the book's bibliography. It is excellent. The operational maps and photos also compliment the narrative. … It is a must addition to the library of every military historian as well as students of the American revolutionary War. Dr. Tonsetic has crafted an exciting book."

Kepler’s Military History

The author is a very good story teller. He brings the events to life through the stories of the participants. The book fills a void in the literature of the American Revolution. Added bonuses are the book's bibliography. It is excellent. The operational maps and photos also compliment the narrative. … It is a must addition to the library of every military historian as well as students of the American revolutionary War. Dr. Tonsetic has crafted an exciting book.

Kepler's Military History

...a satisfying combination of the well-known, such as the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, to the relatively obscure, such as the exploits throughout much of the war of Patriot Benjamin Whitcomb and his rangers in the area between Fort Ticonderoga and Montreal.

Journal of America's Military Past

Tonsetic is a skilled and knowledgeable historian who provides a well crafted important study of a relatively neglected aspect of the Revolutionary War....Highly recommended

CHOICE