In the English-speaking world, we often view the French Army through the single lens of the Seven Years' War. We see the disaster: the loss of Canada, the retreat from India, and a reputation left in tatters.

But this is a dangerously limited view of the 18th-century French War Machine. To judge them only by their defeats is to miss how they defined the very art of war for the rest of Europe.

In this episode, Lee Gugino, Dr. Alex Burns, and Andrew Bamford are joined by Dr. Jonathan Abel, Associate Professor of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC).

Together, we examine the "Gold Standard" of the 18th century. We discuss how the Royal French Army actually functioned, from the complex systems used to man its ranks to the massive logistical engine that kept it moving. We explore how this institution became the aspiration for the rest of the world, influencing military doctrine from Prussia to the American colonies.

Topics Discussed:

• The "Gold Standard": How the French Army became the model for the rest of Europe.
• Logistics & Supply: The sophisticated systems required to feed the largest army in Europe.
• Modern Application: How Dr. Abel uses 18th-century history to train modern officers at the CGSC.

In the War Room (Uncut Episode): For our Plank Owners and War Room members, the full unedited conversation includes a deeper dive into the intellectual life of the officer corps, including:

• Doctrine Wars: The internal debates on how to fight (Line vs. Column).
• National Character: The French perspective on the "martial spirit" of their British and Prussian rivals.
• Merit vs. Birth: The struggle to introduce meritocracy into an aristocratic officer corps.

Guest: Dr. Jonathan Abel, Associate Professor of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Guibert: Father of Napoleon's Grande Armée 

By Dr. Jonathan Abel

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The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

Infantry in Battle 1733-1783, By Alexander Burns

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How do you turn the chaos of an 18th-century battlefield into a set of rules? How do you simulate the "fog of war" that plagued commanders like the Duke of Cumberland or Marshal Saxe?

In this special episode of Prime & Load, we explore the art and science of Historical Wargaming.

We are joined by Rich Hamilton and Gary McClellan from Wargame Design Studio (WDS). We dive deep into their origin stories, how they went from history enthusiasts to professional game designers, and the incredible amount of research required to build the most historically accurate games on the market. We discuss the challenge of "translating" history into gameplay, the importance of accuracy, and how wargames serve as a tool to understand the friction of command.

Topics Discussed:

• Origin Stories: How Rich and Gary turned a passion for military history into a career in game design.
• The Translation Layer: The difficult process of turning historical accounts into game mechanics.
• Obsessive Detail: The level of research required to map terrain, uniform colors, and unit capabilities for the War of the Austrian Succession.
• Simulation vs. Game: Balancing historical realism with playability.

Exclusive Listener Offer: We have partnered with Wargame Design Studio for a special offer. Use the link below for an exclusive discount code for their War of the Austrian Succession video game. Offer good until Jan 25th.

Links: https://wargameds.com/blogs/news/game-of-the-week-january-19-25

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The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

Infantry in Battle 1733-1783, By Alexander Burns

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The retreat from Derby was not the end of the Jacobite Rising, it was a tactical realignment. Following a highly disciplined and orderly withdrawal from England, the Jacobite Army arrives in Glasgow not as a broken force, but as a growing threat.

In this episode, we examine a Jacobite army at its peak strength: refitted, reinforced by fresh Highland reinforcements, and bolstered by the arrival of French regulars and gold. The tactical situation has never looked brighter for the Stuarts as they lay siege to Stirling Castle and prepare to meet General Hawley on the rainy moors of Falkirk.

We are joined once again by historian and author Dr. Arran Johnston to break down the final major victory of the '45.

Topics Discussed:

• The Discipline of Retreat: Why the march back from Derby was a military success, not a failure.
• The French Connection: The arrival of the Royal Écossais and the Irish Pickets.
• The Siege of Stirling: Blunders, terrain challenges, and the failure of the artillery.
• Prince Charles Edward: The shifting morale and darkening mood of the Young Pretender.
• The Battle of Falkirk Muir (1746): How a blind thunderstorm and a Highland charge led to a chaotic Jacobite victory.

In the War Room (Uncut Episode): For our Plank Owners and War Room members, the full unedited conversation features over 40 minutes of extra history, including:

• The French Connection: A specific breakdown of the foreign troops, including the Royal Écossais and the Irish Pickets.
• "Hangman" Hawley: A profile on the brutal and controversial British commander, General Henry Hawley.
• The Mastermind: The story of the unsung mastermind behind Jacobite logistics who kept the army moving through the Scottish winter.

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The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

Infantry in Battle 1733-1783, By Alexander Burns

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On New Year’s Eve 1775, in the midst of a blinding blizzard, the Continental Army launched an assault on the fortress city of Quebec. It was the climax of the first major offensive of the American Revolution, a bold attempt by Congress to seize the "14th Colony" and drive the British Empire off the continent.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Paul Knight to break down the 1775 Invasion of Canada. We analyze the strategic logic behind the invasion, the brutal operational difficulties faced by Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery (from smallpox to starvation), and the tactical reality of the street fighting in the Lower Town.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the Continental Congress authorized an invasion of Canada.
• The logistical nightmare of moving an army through the Maine wilderness.
• General Guy Carleton’s defense of the city.
• The disastrous assault on December 31, 1775.

🔓 The Full Uncut Episode, available now in The War Room, we go even deeper. We discuss:

• The Shadow of 1759: How Wolfe’s victory in the Seven Years' War affected the 1775 American battle plan.
• The Canadian Militia: Who actually defended Canada? We break down the makeup of the French-Canadian irregulars.
• Carleton’s Command: A profile of the British commander who saved Canada.

Become a member of The War Room to get the full story

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The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

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December 15, 1745. In the freezing snow outside Dresden, the Second Silesian War came to a bloody conclusion. The Battle of Kesselsdorf is often overshadowed by Frederick the Great’s personal victories, but it was arguably the most decisive engagement of the war.

In this episode of Prime & Load, hosts Lee Gugino, Dr. Alex Burns, and Dr. Andrew Bamford break down the brutal clash between the Prussian Army and the Saxon forces defending their capital.

Drawing on the work of historian Dr. Alexander Querengässer, we analyze:

• The Command Feud: The toxic relationship between Frederick the Great and his 69-year-old commander, Leopold I (The Old Dessauer), who had to win the battle to save his reputation.
• The Saxon Perspective: Why this was a uniquely Saxon fight and how their supply lines forced them into a defensive corner.
• The Tactical Trap: How the Prussians used as unconventional tactic to lure the Saxons out of their strong defensive positions and into a slaughter.

Join the War Room: Want to vote on our next Deep Dive? Join us on Patreon to become a Plank Owner

Referenced Material

Kesselsdorf 1745: Decision in the Fight for Silesia 

by Alexander Querengässer 

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The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

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December 1745. The Highland Army is at Derby. They have marched over 100 miles into English territory, outmaneuvering two British field armies along the way. They are just days away from London. The Stuart cause has never been closer to victory.

But at the very moment of their greatest advantage, the army halts.

In Part III of our Jacobite Rising series, hosts Dr. Alex Burns, Dr. Andrew Bamford and Lee Gugino are joined by our returning guest Dr. Aaron Johnston to break down the "High Water Mark" of the rebellion.

We move beyond the myths of panic in the capital to analyze the cold strategic realities that faced Bonnie Prince Charlie. This is the story of a daring invasion, the complex politics of French support, and the fateful Council of War that changed the course of British history.

In this episode, we dissect:

• The Invasion Route: How the Jacobites managed to slip past superior British forces to reach the heart of the Midlands.
• The French Factor: The arrival of the Royal Écossais and the strategic hesitation across the channel.
• The Council at Derby: We take you inside the room for the heated debate between the Prince and Lord George Murray. Was the retreat a failure of nerve, or the only military option left?

🎧 Want the Full, Uncut Episode? The main episode covers strategic decision making, but we had to cut nearly 40 minutes of deep-dive analysis and alternate history. Join us as an Aide-de-Camp in the Prime & Load! War Room on Patreon to hear the Uncut Episode where we discuss:

• The "What If" Scenario: We play out the alternate history, what would have happened if they had marched on London? Would the French have landed? Would the City have fallen?
• The English Militias: Who actually mobilized to defend the Hanoverian government (and were they effective)?

The Southern Jacobites: The reality of English support for the Stuarts.

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The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

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They called them the “German Regiment,” but the 8th Virginia was more than that — a fascinating mix of frontier riflemen, Scots-Irish settlers, and German-speaking farmers who brought their own traditions to the fight for independence. In this episode of Prime & Load!, we’re joined by historian and author Gabe Neville, whose book The Last Men Standing: The 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution explores this Continental Army regiment’s pivotal role in the Revolutionary War.

We uncover what made the 8th Virginia unique — from its early use of American rifles to its blend of backcountry culture and disciplined military leadership. You’ll hear how this unit fought from Virginia’s valleys to the Battle of Brandywine and beyond, helping shape the Continental Army’s identity in the War for Independence.

If you enjoy this new Regimental Series, let us know by texting or emailing the show — and be sure to share this episode with a friend who loves Revolutionary War history.

The Last Men Standing

The 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution By Gabriel Neville

DISCOUNT CODE: LMS25

Valid through January, 2026

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The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

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This week on Prime & Load! we’re joined by Maj. Gen. Jason Bohm, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), author of Washington’s Marines. Together we explore the origins of the Continental Marines and their vital role in America’s fight for independence.

From the early recruitment of Marines and their first amphibious assault in the Bahamas to their actions at Trenton and Princeton, Maj. Gen. Bohm helps uncover how these early warriors shaped America’s identity as a maritime nation. We also discuss George Washington’s complicated relationship with the Marines, the role of naval infantry in 18th-century warfare, and how John Paul Jones used Marines to strike directly at the English coast.

Whether you’re a student of the American Revolution or a proud member of the Corps, this episode dives deep into the legacy of the first Marines and the origins of U.S. amphibious warfare.

Washington's Marines: The Origin of the Corps and the American Revolution

By Maj. Gen. Jason Bohm, USMC Ret.

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The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

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It’s Halloween on Prime & Load! — and we’re diving into the darker side of 18th-century warfare. From French soldiers sent to hunt monsters in the countryside, to Eastern European patrols investigating reports of vampires, to Hessians in America spotting UFOs, these are the stranger campaigns may never read about in the history books.

In this lighthearted but historically grounded special, we explore the real primary sources behind these eerie tales and what they reveal about the fears, folklore, and imagination of the 18th century. Were these stories born from superstition — or something else entirely?

Grab your lantern and musket, and join us for a Halloween march through the uncanny world of military legend.

 And don’t forget — share this episode with a friend (if they’re brave enough to listen after dark).

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The Sniper. The Frontiersman. The American Legend. Pop culture tells us the American Revolution was won by sharp-shooters hiding in the trees, picking off British officers with impossible accuracy. But how much of that is Hollywood myth, and how much is ballistic reality?

In this episode of Prime & Load, host Lee Gugino and historian Dr. Alex Burns are joined by Dr. John Bradstreet Weaver to track the evolution of the American Rifle—from a German hunting tool to the weapon that defined the Continental Army.

We move beyond the romanticized "Daniel Boone" image to explore the mechanics, the logistics, and the lethal effectiveness of America's first specialized weapon system.

Inside the War Room, we discuss:

• The Pennsylvania Transformation: How German Jaeger rifles were adapted into the sleek "American Longrifle" of the frontier.
• Musket vs. Rifle: The eternal debate. We break down the trade-off between range and reload speed.
• Washington’s Love/Hate Relationship: Why the Commander-in-Chief valued riflemen as scouts but feared their lack of discipline.
• The "Rifle Shirt" Identity: How a weapon became a symbol of American independence, distinct from the European "automaton" soldier.

Whether you are a black powder enthusiast, a student of Morgan’s Riflemen, or just want to know if The Patriot got anything right, this is the definitive history of the gun that built a nation.

🎧 Want the unedited version? We got into a deep technical debate about rifling twist rates and patch grease that was a bit too "in the weeds" for the main feed. If you want the full technical breakdown, join us as an Aide-de-Camp on Patreon to unlock the "Unsealed Dispatches"—the raw, unedited audio.

Referenced Materials

Rifles and Riflemen: Material Culture, Violence, and Early American Identity, 1720 -- 1820, By Dr. John Bradstreet Weaver

Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War

by Friederike Baer

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The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

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