The new American nation fought for its survival against a variety of enemies, both foreign and domestic, during a series of wars from 1775 to 1865. Victor Brooks and Robert Hohwald examine in considerable detail the various battles and campaigns of the early wars fought by the young republic, in search of common factors that may have led to the nation's survival and triumph. The vast distances, sparse population, and supply problems endemic to all the campaigns in North America are carefully examined. The saga begins with the battles around Boston in 1775. The way the ingenuity of America's amateur soldiers bested the British professionals has not always been sufficiently emphasized and most readers will be surprised at the remarkable feats of military engineering of which ordinary citizens were capable. American independence was not to be won without more years of hard campaigning, and a sharp focus is kept on the lack of British coordination and the innovative tactics of the Americans. True to their task of taking a fresh look at the past, the authors also marshal disturbing evidence to show that the suffering at Valley Forge could easily have been avoided. The War of 1812 began with a series of blunders by over-the-hill American commanders, and victory was only secured by naval victories on the Great Lakes and the high seas, and a new generation of military leadership created by the conflict. The War with Mexico produced the challenges of long-distance maneuver over difficult terrain and a military leadership that was often politically motivated. Inept leadership of the Mexican forces and bold initiatives by American officers at all levels (many of whom would later become famous in the Civil War) proved to be the margin for victory in a conflict that created the modern boundaries of the United States. The Civil War of 1861-1865 proved to be the nations' greatest trial and its most costly conflict. The major battles of the war are covered in detail, as well as some key encounters that have been neglected. The authors identify several points at which a Southern victory might have been possible, but show how an often divided and short-sighted Confederate leadership was defeated by the continental strategy of Grant and Sherman. In all its early wars, the United States relied upon a small force of professional soldiers backed up by larger numbers of short-term volunteers; the positive and negative effects of this policy in each war are considered. For each war, the commanders for each side are rated as to performance, and an analysis made of how their individual strengths and weaknesses may have influenced the outcome of the conflict. A specially commissioned series of maps illustrate both the complete theater of operations for each American war and the decisive moments of key battles from the American Revolution to the end of the Civil War. .

Includes index.

The shot heard round the world: the battles of Lexington and Concord -- The response to military confrontation: British and American strategies and resources in 1775 -- The Bunker Hill dilemma: the emergence of William Howe -- Boston redeemed and New York damned: the emergence of George Washington -- Rekindling the flame of liberty: Harlem Heights to Princeton -- Alternative strategies and outcomes: rebels and redcoats, 1775-1776 -- The war for the north country: the genesis and climax of the Saratoga Campaign -- The Philadelphia campaign: the final confrontation between Howe and Washington -- Climax in the north: Valley Forge to Monmouth -- Alternative strategies and outcomes: British and American, 1777-1778 -- Southern stars fall from the American constellation: the British offensive from Savannah to Camden -- The year of patriot crisis and triumph: King's Mountain to Yorktown -- Why did the world turn upside down? The strategy and tactics of American victory and British defeat grading the generals -- The shore dimly seen: the American invasion of Canada, 1812 -- The battle confusion: triumph and frustration in the Campaign of 1813 -- The perilous fight: the decisive campaign of 1814 -- Alternative strategies and outcomes; British and Americans, 1812-1815 -- Sam Houston's war: the Texas campaign in the Mexican-American conflict -- Zachary Taylor's war: the northern campaign in the Mexican-American conflict -- Winfield Scott's war : the southern campaign in the Mexican-American conflict -- Alternative strategies and outcomes: Mexico and the United States, 1836-1848 -- The war of amateurs: Fort Sumter to Manassas -- The response to a clash of arms: Union and Confederate strategies and resources -- The stride of a giant: the great Union offensives of 1862 -- Oh, but that he was ours!: Robert E. Lee and the redemption of Richmond -- A long and strong flood: the Confederate counter-offensive of 1862 -- Alternative strategies and outcomes: Union and Confederate, 1861-1862 -- The winter (and spring) of Union discontent: 1862-1863 -- The summer of the titans: climax at Vicksburg and Gettysburg -- The duel of Chattanooga: the emergence of U.S. Grant -- The confrontation between Grant and Lee: the spring of 1864 -- The final turn of the tide: the crisis summer of 1864 -- Alternative strategies and outcomes: Union and Confederate, 1863-1864 -- The death of Confederate independence: the birth of the lost cause -- Why was the "Union forever"?: the strategy and tactics of northern victory and southern defeat grading the generals.