Green Coats and Glory:

The U. S. Regiment of Riflemen, 1808 - 1821

by Jerry Chaskes

Written by John C. Fredriksen, Ph.D, this erudite, thoughtful, and comprehensive scholarly analysis of a U. S. Army regiment from the War of 1812 seeks to objectively discuss the history of the United States Regiment of Rifles from its initial recruitment in 1808 up to its demise in 1821. No aspect of this history is ignored. The organization, training, equipment, weapons, and uniform of the regiment are thoroughly discussed and illustrated with many historical and contemporary images.

It is in its description of the combat history of the regiment that this book really shines. All details have been painstakingly researched in the papers, letters, records, and accounts of persons directly involved with the Green Coats and Glory during the regiment’s brief existence. The plethora of details of the actions, words, tactics, and strategies of the officers and men of the regiment makes Green Coats and Glory an absorbing “read” for serious students of U. S. military history. The historical accuracy of this book is beyond question.

Although Green Coats and Glory is not written particularly for wargamers, the book provides a valuable resource for those who wish to game the War of 1812. In the words of John Fredriksen, “The Regiment of Riflemen was unquestionably the most effective infantry formation fielded by the United States in the War of 1812. They possessed tactical proclivities equal to any European army. They remain the proud purveyors of the American rifle tradition, and one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dark period of U. S. Army history.” I enthusiastically recommend the addition of this book to you military history library It is available from the Old Fort Niagara Association, Inc., Fort Niagara State Park, Youngstown, New York, 2000, 80 pp., illustrations appendices, extensive footnotes, $12.95 softcover.

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