Robbie MacNiven, British Light Infantryman versus Patriot Rifleman (Osprey, 2023)
In British Light Infantryman versus Patriot Rifleman, Robbie MacNiven zeroes in on a crucial aspect of the American War of Independence, the contest between light troops in the often difficult terrain for regular 18th Century linear warfare. It is an intriguing story, and one that perhaps contains a few surprises for AWI traditionalists.
After introducing us to the development of light infantry in North America, MacNiven surveys the opposing sides in the American Revolution. The Patriots were better on an individual basis partly because they used rifles against the British who carried mostly smoothbores. But the British collectively could reload quicker, were better in close combat, and tended to be more disciplined in battle. The tree-filled battlefields favoured the Patriots, however, though the British don’t seem to have been too far behind in that regard. MacNiven also notes that the Patriots had a better reputation, which caused some disquiet among the British; but as the British light infantry improved, the apprehension became reciprocated.
Having established who these soldiers were and what they could do, MacNiven takes us on a brief journey through three battles where light infantry action proved significant: Harlem Heights, where Virginia Riflemen outflanked and helped repulse the British light infantry; Freeman’s Farm, an exemplary light infantry engagement as both armies jockeyed for position; and Hanging Rock, a significant southern Loyalist defeat at the hands of Patriot Riflemen. MacNiven supports his accounts with excellent maps and illustrations, and his analysis of the three battles provides valuable insight into light infantry tactics. Ultimately, MacNiven declares the contest between Patriot Riflemen and British Light Infantry much closer to a draw than many of the books I’ve read on their combat. As a wee appendix, MacNiven outlines the organisation for the light troops on both sides. And we should add here that he also supplies a very useful bibliography for further reading, and an index!
One criticism of the Osprey Combat series is that it rehashes previous material into a ‘new’ format. That certainly isn’t the case with MacNiven’s book. This is a well-written text that highlights an important aspect of a peculiar 18th Century conflict. That the fighting between Riflemen and Light Infantry was much closer than many may believe is a bit of a surprise, but MacNiven argues his case well in such a relatively slim volume. His text is given the usual Osprey gloss to produce a more than satisfactory addition to the Combat series and your bookshelves.
