A History of the Organizational Development of the Continental Artillery during the American Revolution
Abstract
This thesis contends that the Continental artillery in the American Revolution, despite its ad hoc beginning and wartime challenges, gradually developed into a professional organization by the end of the war. Rather than providing an operational history of the organization, the thesis focuses on the growth of the organization over time in terms of its cultural beginnings, its doctrinal development, and the leadership and career paths of some of its middle-ranking leaders. The first chapter lays out the structural framework and statutory authorizations for the organization. The second chapter describes its early cultural shift from a pre-war legacy of provincialism to a trajectory toward professionalism. This chapter uses cultural analysis to argue that Washington's decision to replace the aged Richard Gridley with Henry Knox as the commander of the Continental artillery ushered in a cultural shift away from a provincial organizational culture to one that sought professionalism. The third chapter portrays the development of a battlefield tactical doctrine described in books that gradually took hold in informal ways. It takes a comparative theory and practice approach to argue that the kernel of an emerging doctrine existed in available European books, and from that kernel, a consistent and effective doctrine developed over time. The fourth chapter uses a collective biographical approach to show organizational development in the careers of its middle-ranking leaders. The concluding chapter summarizes the findings and ties the professionalization of the corps of artillery to the military establishments of the new republic.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA547586
Entities
People
- William C. Pruett
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College