BRITISH LIGHT INFANTRY
IN THE
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
by
Colonel J. F. C. Fuller, D.S.O.
(Late 43rd and 52nd Light Infantry
London: Hutchinson & Co.
Paternoster Row
1925
PREFACE
This brief account of the growth and vicissitudes of British
Light Infantry during the eighteenth century constitutes an introduction
to "Sir John Moore's System of Training," which I have
dealt with in a separate volume, and without such an introduction
a correct appreciation of this great reformer's position in history
is difficult to grasp.
At the opening of the eighteenth century, no true light infantry
existed in the British Army, and their utility only became apparent
during the Seven Years' War. From this war onwards and until the
day when Sir John Moore formed his famous camp at Shorncliffe,
a determined struggle took place between a few clear-sighted men
and the adherents of the traditional school with Frederick as
its master. Without this struggle, the efforts of Sir John Moore
would have been without avail, for it was this small band of big-hearted
pioneers which prepared men's minds for the changes he effected.
Though all honour is due to Sir John Moore as the architect
of the " new discipline," we should not forget that
honour is also due to such men as Bouquet, Howe, Money, and von
Ewald, for it was they who fought and broke the back of antiquated
tradition. I mention this here, not only to honour them, but because
to-day we are once again faced by a change in tactics and discipline,
and before the John Moore of this present age can seize the reins,
the effort of every pioneer in the "new idea" is needed
to prepare the way for his advent. I hope, therefore, that this
little book will fulfil a double purpose: first, that it will
show how far Sir John Moore was indebted to the efforts of certain
of his predecessors and contemporaries, and, secondly, how necessary
it is to-day for all thinking soldiers to be willing to sacrifice
place and popularity so that the British soldiers of a generation
hence may be as superior to their eventual enemy as Wellington's
men were superior to the French between the years 1809 and 1815.
J. F. C. F
STAFF COLLEGE,
CAMBERLEY.
January 1, 1925.
CONTENTS
I. LIGHT INFANTRY
IN THE SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH CENTURIES
II. THE INVENTION
OF THE FUSIL AND THE BAYONET
III. THE RE-INTRODUCTION
OF IRREGULARS
IV. THE SEVEN YEARS'
WAR
V. THE AMERICAN
WARS, 1748-I760
VI. THE 60TH ROYAL
AMERICANS
VII. THE LESSONS
OF THE SEVEN YEARS' WAR
VIII. THE AMERICAN
WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
IX. THE HESSIANS
X. THE TACTICAL LESSONS OF THE AMERICAN WAR
XI. THE LIGHT INFANTRY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
XII. THE BRITISH ARMY UNDER POLITICAL CONTROL
XIII. THE TACTICAL DEMAND FOR LIGHT INFANTRY
XIV. GENERAL SIR DAVID DUNDAS
XV. MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN MONEY
XVI. THE 5TH BATTALION, THE 60TH ROYAL AMERICANS
XVII. THE RIFLED MUSKET
XVIII. THE EXPERIMENTAL RIFLE CORPS
XIX. LIEUT.-COLONEL THE HON. WILLIAM STEWART
XX. RETROSPECT AND CONCLUSIONS
APPENDICES
I. THE MANOEUVRES OF GENERAL HOWE
II. THE HESSIANS
