Our March 2026 American Revolution Round Table invited as our special guest author Tom Hand. We discussed his book America Victorious Lesser-Known Campaigns and Commanders That Helped Win American Independence, which focuses on the lesser-known commanders and campaigns of the American Revolution where George Washington was not physically present. Hand’s work aims to broaden the historical perspective of the war by highlighting individuals who made significant contributions that are often overshadowed by the "main players" like Washington, Franklin, and Adams. These perspectives were covered in his first book, An American Triumph.
The Northern Theater and the Duality of Benedict Arnold
A major portion of the discussion centers on the early years of the war in the North, specifically the role of Benedict Arnold before his infamous betrayal. Hand argues that if one had to pick an "indispensable man" for the first two years of the war in the northern theater, it would be Arnold. Before his name became synonymous with treason, Arnold was arguably the most successful battlefield commander in the American Revolution.
Hand describes Valcour Island as the "naval Bunker Hill". While it was a tactical defeat, it was strategically one of the most important events of the war. Arnold’s "cobbled-together flotilla" delayed the British fleet under General Carlton for so long—until October 9th—that the British lost their entire 1776 campaign season. By forcing the British to wait until the following year to resume their push south toward Albany, Arnold prevented the colonies from being split early in the war.
The discussion also highlights Arnold’s "single-handed" success at Fort Stanwix, where he used a spy to spread rumors of a massive approaching army, effectively spooking British forces and their Native American allies into retreating. This action deprived General Burgoyne of essential reinforcements before the Battle of Saratoga. Regarding the Saratoga campaign, Hand asserts that Arnold likely disobeyed the spirit of General Horatio Gates’s orders to engage the field, though his aggressive leadership ultimately secured the victory.
The "Forgotten Men" of the North: Schuyler and Morgan
While Arnold and Gates often take the spotlight for Saratoga, Hand emphasizes the critical role of Philip Schuyler. Schuyler practiced a "scorched earth policy" that significantly delayed Burgoyne’s advance through the wilderness. By felling trees, tearing up roads, and diverting rivers to create swamps, Schuyler made every mile of the British march "miserable". These delays exhausted the British provisions and forced them into a desperate situation, laying the groundwork for the eventual American success.
The speakers also examine Daniel Morgan, a "tough frontiersman" who had famously survived 499 lashes from the British army as a teenager. Morgan is credited with the tactical masterpiece at Cowpens, where he utilized a "double envelopment" maneuver. This involved setting his militia in the front lines with orders to fire only a few shots and then "peel off," drawing the British into the steadfast Continentals in the third line. Hand notes that Morgan was a battlefield leader similar to Arnold in his aggressive style, but he remained loyal to the cause despite his own frustrations with Congress regarding promotions.
The Southern Campaign and Nathaniel Greene
Moving to the South, the discussion focuses on Nathaniel Greene, whom Hand calls a "poster child for perseverance". Greene’s strategy followed Washington’s philosophy: the most important objective was not winning specific battles, but keeping the army intact and in the field.
Greene actually lost most of his major battles—including Guilford Courthouse, Hobkirk's Hill, and Eutaw Springs—and failed to raise the siege at Ninety Six. However, his ability to "rise and move on again" after every defeat wore down General Cornwallis. Cornwallis eventually abandoned the Carolinas not because of a battlefield loss, but because he was "tired of chasing him all over the countryside". Hand highlights how Greene adapted Morgan’s Cowpens tactics at Guilford Courthouse, setting up three echelons of troops, though the different terrain meant the result was not a definitive victory like Cowpens. Despite the tactical loss, it was a "pyrrhic victory" for the British that cost Cornwallis dearly and forced his retreat.
George Rogers Clark and the Western Frontier
Hand sheds light on the often-overlooked Western theater, led by George Rogers Clark. At only 23 or 24 years old, Clark raised a small force of 170-180 "stouthearted Virginians" to capture British forts across the Ohio River in what was then considered part of Quebec.
Clark’s capture of Kaskaskia and Vincennes secured the Northwest Territory (modern-day Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois) for the United States. Hand claims this was one of the largest land acquisitions by conquest in American history. The conflict in the West was particularly brutal, described as a "continual" war involving bloody Native American attacks encouraged and armed by the British. These Kentucky settlers faced a higher mortality rate—70 men per thousand—compared to a maximum of 10 per thousand in other colonies.
Spain: The Forgotten Ally
A significant portion of the book and discussion is dedicated to Spain’s role in the revolution. Hand argues that Spain strategically deserves as much, if not more, credit than France. Because Spain was the world’s largest colonial empire, King Carlos III could not openly support a colonial rebellion against another monarch, as it might inspire his own colonies to revolt. Consequently, Spain never formed a formal alliance with the U.S. and fought the British as an independent power.
Spain’s contributions were twofold:
- Logistical Support: Merchants like Oliver Pollock in New Orleans used their own fortunes to supply and equip the American army in the West.
- Military Diversion: Under Governor Bernardo de Gálvez, Spanish forces captured British bases in the Mississippi Valley, Mobile, and Pensacola.
By driving the British out of West Florida, Spain prevented thousands of British troops from engaging the Americans. Furthermore, at the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the American claim to the Northwest Territory and Florida was supported by the principle of uti possidetis ("as you possess, so you shall possess"). Hand posits that if Spain had not conquered Florida, the British would likely have remained on America’s southern flank, which would have drastically altered the nation's future expansion and access to the Gulf of Mexico.
Leadership and the Legacy of George Washington
Throughout the discussion, George Washington is reaffirmed as the "indispensable man". Despite early military mistakes—such as staying too long in New York or nearly losing his army at Brandywine—Washington’s greatest legacy was his commitment to the civilian command of the military. He demonstrated immense patience in dealing with a difficult Congress and maintained control over an officer corps that frequently included "scoundrels" and rivals like Horatio Gates who sought to undermine him.
Washington is also praised for his ability to identify talent and give commanders second chances. For instance, after Nathaniel Greene "screwed up" the defense of Fort Washington, Washington did not give up on him, eventually trusting him with the critical Southern campaign.
The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold
The conversation concludes by reflecting on the profound nature of Benedict Arnold’s betrayal. Hand notes that the reason Arnold remains the ultimate traitor in American history is that "the fall was so great". He was the top fighter, second only to Washington in importance during the early war. His decision to not only switch sides but to attempt to surrender an entire army of men who were loyal to him is described as "hard to forgive". Hand draws a historical comparison to General George Patton going over to the Germans in 1944 to illustrate the magnitude of the shock Arnold’s actions caused the nation.
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