How important is the Declaration of Arbroath..

**Lallans** · 9th April 10, 06:40 AM

And after 1776, the Scots Irish were willing to hang around for long periods unpaid, making them the ideal Revolutionary soldiers!

I would feel remiss if I didn't mention a recent book that challenges the idea that the Scots Irish completely vanished into the American melting pot: that would be Born Fighting by James (now Senator) Webb. His book is not without controversy but in particular he has very interesting ideas on the subject of Scots Irish contributions to post-colonial US history (especially during The War Between The States) and if I'm any judge is a great first read on the subject. http://www.amazon.com/Born-Fighting-.../dp/0767916883

**macwilkin** · 9th April 10, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

And after 1776, the Scots Irish were willing to hang around for long periods unpaid, making them the ideal Revolutionary soldiers!

I would feel remiss if I didn't mention a recent book that challenges the idea that the Scots Irish completely vanished into the American melting pot: that would be Born Fighting by James (now Senator) Webb. His book is not without controversy but in particular he has very interesting ideas on the subject of Scots Irish contributions to post-colonial US history (especially during The War Between The States) and if I'm any judge is a great first read on the subject. http://www.amazon.com/Born-Fighting-.../dp/0767916883

It's no doubt a popular book, but a better book, from this historian's POV, is Leyburn's The Scotch-Irish: a social history. As you said, it is a good first read, but there are much better titles out there. I highly recommend Celeste Ray's Highland Heritage: Scottish Americans in the American South for a more scholarly analysis of the role of Scottish (and Ulster-Scottish) influences in the South.

T.

**macwilkin** · 9th April 10, 07:06 AM

And after 1776, the Scots Irish were willing to hang around for long periods unpaid, making them the ideal Revolutionary soldiers!

Indeed, but for many who joined Washington's Continential Line, pay was a major motivating factor. Charles Patrick Neimeyer's America Goes to War: A Social History of the Continental Army is an excellent source discussing how Washington needed to create a "professional" fighting force that could stand up against the British regulars than the militia, which did not have the discipline to do so.

While the Line certainly kept the Revolution going, as Washington's Army became the cause itself (destroy the army, and you destroy the movement), some (but not all) who joined did so need of a paycheck, especially working-class laborers, seamen, etc. and some were even forced to serve, such as Loyalists in Patriot strongholds.

Don Higginbothan's George Washington and the American Military Tradition is also highly recommended. Higginbotham's discussion of Washington's desire for a commission in the British Army is most interesting, and it certainly makes you wonder "what if...".

T.

**Lallans** · 9th April 10, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

I highly recommend Celeste Ray's Highland Heritage: Scottish Americans in the American South for a more scholarly analysis of the role of Scottish (and Ulster-Scottish) influences in the South.

T.

I had never heard of the Ray book, thanks.