The Spanish Army in North America 1700–1793

Book excerpt: A classic Men-at-Arms title detailing a major chapter in American military history. North American colonial history can broadly be divided into 'New France', 'New England' and 'New Spain. The latter covered a vast expanse of land from California to the whole of the south-west and south including modern-day Florida, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi and Illinois. Spanish America played a significant role in British and American campaigns in particular the American Revolution. Spanish units fought against the British throughout the Revolution providing a major distraction to the British forces and helping in some way to ensure the eventual success of the colonials. René Chartrand is an international authority on the subject, he has amassed an array of original archival documents and illustrations to provide a fresh perspective on the key units and actions throughout the continent. In particular, he has provided a detailed listing of exactly where Spanish units were raised and based including major forts and places of interest to visit. Interest in Spanish American history is on the increase and this is a timely discussion of an aspect of American military history which is too often overlooked.