The historiography of eighteenth and early nineteenth century campaigns
is dominated by operational narratives and biographies of senior
officers. How armies were staffed, fed and medically provisioned was
critical to their successful performance in the field, yet much less is
known of these key issues. Eyewitness accounts highlight instances of
mismanagement, but by ignoring the ordinary they can provide a distorted
view of reality, while published information on the organization of the
British Army at this period is confined to home administration, not that
of an expeditionary force overseas. By using predominantly unpublished
sources, including the General Orders issued by the Duke of York's
headquarters, it has been possible to provide considerable detail on the
structures necessary for the daily functioning of an army on campaign.
Integral to this were the men engaged in staff positions, the
commissariat and the medical department, their suitability, how they
were appointed, and their day-to-day responsibilities.
The internal organization of the British Army's fighting units is often
taken for granted, but the start of any war during the eighteenth
century inevitably led to rapid expansion and major developments in
recruiting methods. As the proportion of recruits increased, unit
cohesion and experience declined for both officers and men, affecting
discipline, operational capability, and health; all factors which tend
to be overlooked in standard campaign narratives. A key component of the
fighting troops in Flanders were the Ordnance units, comprising the
artillery and engineers, which are so often neglected but so critical in
providing firepower support and technical expertise. Similarly forgotten
are the considerable numbers of women and children who officially
accompanied forces in the field, all of whom came under military
discipline and received their subsistence from the army. Their numbers,
the roles they fulfilled and their experiences in Flanders are discussed
in detail.
Underpinning the entire administrative structure of the army on campaign
was its relationship with corresponding organizations at home.
Performance in the field was heavily dependent on the effectiveness of
working relationships on both sides. Structures evolved throughout the
eighteenth century, becoming gradually more formalized with increased
definition of the duties performed in each role, a process that was to
continue until the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. The Flanders campaign
represented a key point in this evolutionary process at the start of the
French Wars.
