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January 1746. The Jacobites have just won another stunning victory at Falkirk Muir. But instead of marching south, Bonnie Prince Charlie finds himself overruled by his war council and forced into a controversial retreat back into the Highlands.

History often jumps straight from the victory at Falkirk to the tragedy at Culloden, ignoring the critical months in between. But the war did not stop.

In this episode of Prime & Load, Lee Gugino, Dr. Alex Burns, and Andrew Bamford are joined once again by Dr. Arran Johnston to shine a light on the "Small Wars" of 1746. We explore the complex, aggressive campaign waged by the Jacobites to seize the initiative in the Highlands while the main armies maneuvered.

From the dramatic Rout of Moy to the Siege of Fort Augustus and the audacious Raids in Atholl, we break down how this period set up the Jacobite Army for its final fight for the highlands.

In the War Room (Uncut Episode): For our Plank Owners and War Room members, the full unedited conversation goes deeper into the strategic mind of the rising, including:

• The Prince's Fury: A look at Charles Edward Stuart’s personal reaction to the retreat, his anger, his sense of betrayal, and the widening rift with his commanders.
• Retreat as a Weapon: How the Jacobite leadership repeatedly managed to turn retreats into strong strategic positions, baffling government commanders.
• The Anatomy of the Army: We break down the specific composition of the force in 1746.

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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.

By Dr. Jonathan Abel

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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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Recommended Reading:

The '45 by Christopher Duffy 

Rebellious Scots to Crush by Andrew Bamford

Can a victory be as damaging as a defeat? In January 1746, the Jacobite army had just completed a harrowing retreat from Derby, yet they were about to field the largest and most dangerous force of the entire war. Join hosts Dr. Alex Burns and Dr. Andrew Bamford as they welcome back Dr. Arran Johnston to break down the Battle of Falkirk, the last major Highland victory of the 1745 Rising.

In this episode, we explore the Jacobite refitting at Glasgow, the grueling siege of Stirling Castle, and the tactical brilliance of a surprise march that caught the British Army off-guard. Discover how a literal thunderstorm turned the battlefield into a chaotic scene of hand-to-hand combat and why, despite winning the day, the Jacobites found themselves forced into a strategic retreat that would lead them to Culloden. This is a deep dive into the moment momentum shifted and the internal rifts that defined the Jacobite high command

Meet the Expert

Dr. Arran Johnston: A multi-published author and director of the Battle of Preston Pans Museum, Dr. Johnston is a leading authority on the military career of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the social history of the Jacobite armies

Whats Missing?

The Full Uncut Version (available to our War Room members) contains over 35 minutes of additional analysis, including:

• "Hangman" Hawley: A deeper dive into the brutal reputation of General Henry Hawley and why he was so dismissive of the "barbarian" Highlanders
• The Glengarry Disaster: The tragic, exclusive story of the accidental shooting of the Clan Glengarry commander by his own men the day after the victory—an event that triggered mass desertions
• The "Gillie" Chaos: Detailed accounts of why the Jacobites couldn't reform after the battle because they lost their "gillies" (servant boys) and their bagpipes in the storm
• John Sullivan’s Staff Work: Tactical analysis of how the Irish Adjutant General planned the complex deceptive marches that baffled the British

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] – The Glasgow Refit: Replacing shoes and reviewing 9,000 men
• [12:15] – The Siege of Stirling: Attempting to crack a volcanic crag without heavy guns
• [25:45] – The Deceptive March: Using "Hollywood tactics" and campfires to trick the British
• [40:15] – The Battle in the Rain: Why the Dragoons’ charge failed against disciplined Highland fire
• [55:30] – Command Collapse: Lord George Murray vs. Prince Charles in the moment of victory
• [1:10:00] – Strategic Aftermath: Why the Jacobites fled after winning the field

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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.

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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

by Alexander Querengässer 

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Recommended Reading:

The Fight for the Throne by Christopher Duffy

In December 1745, the Stuart restoration was just 120 miles away. The Jacobite army had outmaneuvered two government forces, captured the walled city of Carlisle, and stood at Derby with an open road to London.

Join hosts Dr. Alexander Burns and Dr. Andrew Bamford as they welcome back Dr. Arran Johnston to dissect the "high watermark" of the rebellion, when the Stuart cause was closer to victory than ever before.

In this deep dive, we explore the "all or nothing" mantra of Prince Charles Edward Stuart and the strategic rift within his Council of War. We examine the rapid doubling of the Jacobite army, the psychological impact of invading England, and the sophisticated staff work that allowed 5,000 Highlanders to baffle the Georgian military machine. Discover why the decision to retreat from Derby was not triggered by a single spy, but by a fundamental conflict over the rebellion’s ultimate goals.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Arran Johnston: A multi-published author and director of the Battle of Preston Pans Museum, Dr. Johnston is a leading authority on the military career of the Bonnie Prince and the social history of the Jacobite armies.

Whats Missing?

The Full Uncut Version (available to our War Room members) contains 40 minutes of exclusive content including:

• The "Nobleman's Regiments": A detailed look at the 11 regiments of foot and "Blues" units raised by English gentry to "crush rebellious Scots"
• English Jacobitism: Why support remained "deafening by its silence" and the difficulty of measuring sympathy versus active military support
• Wargaming the "What Ifs": Extended analysis of what would have happened if the Jacobites had pushed to London, including potential Royal Navy interference and King George II’s resolve
• The Bradstreet Myth: A "Murmurs in the Camp" debunking of the famous government spy who supposedly turned the army around

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] – Recap: The rapid descent from Glenfinnan to Edinburgh
• [12:15] – The Strategic Divide: Consolidating Scotland vs. momentum for London
• [22:45] – Siege of Carlisle: Breaking a nut that Scots had failed to crack for centuries
• [35:00] – The Red-Coated Blob: Marshall Wade, Cumberland, and the defense of London
• [55:00] – Arrival at Derby: 125 miles from the capital and the "immovable object" of the Council
• [1:05:00] – Black Friday: Conducting a dangerous winter retreat without losing the guns

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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 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution By Gabriel Neville

DISCOUNT CODE: LMS25

Valid through January, 2026

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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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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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