| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005
Status: offline
|
 Posted - August 13 2008 : 6:09:30 PM
|
| Everybody bought their commissions, but not all were promoted. Probably had something to do with who you knew. |
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
report to moderator  |
|
|
winglo
Deerslayer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 13 2007
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - August 13 2008 : 6:11:41 PM
|
| Everybody bought their commissions? That's amazing. So knowledge and ability had nothing to do with it, huh? Wow! No wonder we wanted our independence!! |
| report to moderator |
|
|
Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005
Status: offline
|
Posted - August 13 2008 : 7:01:12 PM
|
Considering the way the system worked, a surprising number of the officers did demonstrate considerable talent. Maybe the fact that they came from the upper classes accounts for their superior abilities. And the fact that they were British? When the French Revolution came along, the French started promoting based on ability (since nobility didn't get you very far at that point in time) and persons with the most potential started rising to the top.
For a good look at how the system worked read the first 100 or so pages of The Green Dragoon by Robert D. Bass (my old college English teacher). It tells how Tarleton purchases his commission in the Liverpool Regiment and went on to become a General. At one point in time he held commissions in three different units. His standing in the Liverpool Regiment (which he rarely, if ever, saw) determined whether or not he got promoted while fighting in America. It was not until he reached a certain rank with his home unit that he was eligible for promotion in the units with which he was actually serving. |
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
| report to moderator |
|
|
Irishgirl
Council of Elders
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
February 14 2006
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - August 13 2008 : 7:27:43 PM
|
Poor John Cameron...nobody wants to stare at him across the breakfast table.
Wonder why Case of the Cooties perhaps
Poor baby |
IG |
| report to moderator |
|
|
James N.
Colonial Militia
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
October 24 2007
Status: offline
|
Posted - August 14 2008 : 8:13:37 PM
|
Sorry, Irish, but this has developed into a Military History thread!
In the British army commissions were purchased in existing regiments; the highest rank in a regiment is COLONEL. Therefore, "company grade" officers ( ensign through captain ) and "field officers" ( major, lt. col. & col. ) had to purchase their comissions. GENERALS, on the other hand, were appointed by the soveriegn, usually with the approval of various ministers. So even in the purchase system, high command was NOT assured. Unless one had "connections" politically ( Howe, Burgoyne, etc. ) or socially ( Lord Percy ); or real military talent ( Wolfe, Clinton ), high command was impossible.
Since Fitz mentions Tarleton, it is worth remembering that he earned his notoriety at the head of a unit of TORIES; with his modest background & means he NEVER could have held a similar position with British regular troops. This was Washington's eternal problem in the F&I War; his background & means severely limited him soley to command of "provencials" like the Va. troops. This festering grievance over what he rightly saw as discrimination was probably what pushed him "over the edge" when it came time to support the Revolution. |
| report to moderator |
|
|
Irishgirl
Council of Elders
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
February 14 2006
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - August 14 2008 : 9:07:11 PM
|
Yeah had noticed that James trying in vain to get it back on track. |
IG |
| report to moderator |
|
|
James N.
Colonial Militia
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
October 24 2007
Status: offline
|
Posted - August 15 2008 : 3:16:08 PM
|
| Well Irish, to try & "help" you, I'll also observe that Montcalm would almost undoubtedly also have had the best TABLE ( like in the movie ); not the least consideration in choosing a dining partner! ( And I'm NOT talking about the FURNITURE! ) |
| report to moderator |
|
|
Topic |
|
![The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]](images/wwwboard.gif "The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]")
Breakfast with Mohicans Poll
