The use of the militia during the war of 1812 (which also includes the Creek War against the Creek Indians and their allies) is one that is greatly misunderstood by the vast majority of Americans. The author correctly points out that assuming one has even heard of the Creek War, what has been placed in one's mind is what was seen in the 1954 movie "Davy Crockett - Indian Fighter" and what little is known of the Battle of New Orleans  comes from a popular song of the same title.  Needless to say, neither is very accurate and yet both have infused an idealism that was not there. It does not help that art work of the period and even later in the century has taken what is mostly folk-lore and fable, turning it into a collective 'reality'. If you repeat something that is not true often enough, it can seem to be fact to those who don't care to look any deeper into it. Politicians have been using this strategy for decades.

The truth of the militias of the time is considerably different that the usual look at things. These people were called up for a period of time that was generally so short that there was not time to train them properly if they were to be used in battle. There was a great deal of desertion and when one's weeks were up, it was not uncommon for these men to simply pack up and go home. There was little time to forge a bonding between men in the unit so it was hoped that commanders would be able to do the best they could. No wonder the British and their allies had so little respect for these men.

Often times the men would sign up, be given a bit of money and directions on how to make whatever uniform requirements there were, and sent home until called. A man's kitting was dependent on what he could provide and that included firearms. Few militias had the ability to provide much though some did. There was no standardization of training, or weapons or anything else for that matter. Those few full time soldiers in the militias very much had their hands full.

Fortunately, there were some superlative leaders in amongst the militia and it is thanks to their abilities to cajole and coerce as well as being able to maintain a core of experienced men that success was achieved. The thing about success is that it breeds success so that a leader who was able to provide positive results motivated those around him. The US had Andrew Jackson to thank for being that leader in the right place at the right time and, thanks as well to some blundering by the British, was able to pull through.

Ed Gilbert has done a grand job of telling the story of these often forgotten men. By using a pair of fictional characters, and weaving their story in with the historical background, he has given us a factual and entertaining read. This is not the first of Osprey's books to use this method and I have to tell you that it takes what might be a rather dry subject and brings a lot of life to it. By following the story of these men, we see how they were recruited, what training they got, how they worked with others in their unit, what clothing and weaponry they used and how they performed in battle. Add to it come contemporary illustrations with the artwork of Adam Hook, and you have a superlative book on a subject that I found particularly fascinating. I'm positive you will feel the same way once you read this so put the grabs on this title when you come across it at your local shop. You'll find it to be a major myth-buster.

April 2009

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