The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 77, July 1973 - April, 1974 Page: 88
568 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The Influence of Jomini on Scott's Campaign
American generals-Winfield Scott. Intelligent, brave, resourceful, daring,
Scott never lost a battle in which he was the commander. Perhaps no other
general in the history of modern warfare, save Marlborough, can be cred-
ited with such a record.
Scott studied at William and Mary rather than at West Point-at that
time (he enrolled in 1805) the Military Academy was still in its infancy,
having been founded only three years before. However, despite his lack of
formal military training, Scott was a thorough professional. He both col-
lected and read the major works on war.5 In the War of 1812, his pro-
fessional sensibilities were revolted, as Washington's had been before him,
at the sight of an ill-trained army. Not only were the militiamen ignorant
of the very rudiments of war, but so were many of the regulars. Consequent-
ly, on becoming chief of staff of the army of the Niagara frontier, he reor-
ganized the various staff departments in accordance with the prescribed
recommendations which were to be found in the Manuel Gnderal du Service
des Etats-Majors Generaux et Divisionnaires dans les Armees. This man-
ual, written by an adjutant general in the army of the Republic of France,
Paul Thidbault, was basic to staff planning and was widely used in Europe;
but it was not well known in American military circles. Scott's use of it is
an early example of his proclivity toward the military system of France.6
Later, when Scott became a field commander, he trained both officers
and men in maneuvers described in a Napoleonic drill manual. According
to his principal biographer, he also took a copy of Jomini's Treatise on
Grand Military Operations with him when he moved to the frontier. It had
been published only eight years before. It is small wonder that when the
British commander Phineas Riall saw Scott's troops forming at Chippewa,
he gave that now famous cry, "Those are regulars, by God!" Regulars
they were, and they were trained by a commander who was a disciple of
what he was wont to call "the French school."'
5Scott to Benjamin D. Silliman, November Is, 1844, Winfield Scott Papers, Charles
Winslow Elliott Collection (Manuscript and Archives Division, New York Public Library,
New York, New York). In this letter Scott thanked Silliman for a copy of Militia Ro-
manorum. He wrote that the volume "completes the classical part of my military library."
6Winfield Scott, Memoirs of Lieut.-General Scott (2 vols.; New York, 1864), I, 87.
Thiebault's Manuel Gendral du Service des Etats-Majors was printed in Paris in 1813.
Both Scott and his biographer, Charles W. Elliott, cite this work as Scott's authority.
The present author believes, however, that Scott, in fact, used Manuel des Adjutants-
Gdndraux et des Adjoints Employds dans les Etats-Majors Divisionnaires des Armies
(Paris, 1800).
7Charles Winslow Elliott, Winfield Scott: The Soldier and the Man (New York,
1937), 90, I47, 162; Scott to James Monroe, November 19, I814, Scott Papers (New
York Public Library). The reference to "the French school" is from Scott to Monroe.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 77, July 1973 - April, 1974, periodical, 1973/1974; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117148/m1/106/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.