Analysis Of John Simcoe's Rangers

To fully understand the Queens Rangers, it is imperative to delve into the ideals and life of their leader, John Simcoe. Simcoe was a rare breed of British Officer; he fashioned a vibrant personality, was unanimously deemed ambitious, possessed an understanding of small unit military tactics, received a superb education, and was also a patron of the arts. He would regularly write poetry, sketch, and read classic literature. Unlike many of his colleagues, Simcoe was not born into wealth, possessed no aristocratic background, and lacked any family legacy within the Army. Simcoe’s only tie to the British military was his Godfather, an Admiral in the Royal Navy. Nonetheless, he was able to climb through the ranks and do so in a gallant manner.
John Graves Simcoe was educated at both Eton and Oxford Universities, he took a particular interest in classic and modern literature while also enjoying military history. This interest in literature is demonstrated in his personal journal and correspondences, he uses a very flowing-poetic writing style that demonstrates his intellectual capacity. Simcoe writes in his Journal, “At an early age he had read Homer in Pope’s translation; and in his boyish days acted with his companions the scenes of the Illiad”. It is unquestionable that Simcoe flourished as a student and thoroughly enjoyed learning, nevertheless his desire to serve his nation would be obliged in 1771 when he attained a commission in the British Army on its way to America. Simcoe’s ambition is seen within months of arriving in the Colonies, he sent a letter to Sir William Howe stating:
I beg leave with that deference that becomes an officer every way conscious of the distance between his Rank & that of the Commander in Chiefs to lay before him some reasons why I humbly presume the Queens Rangers would be the most proper to act either as a body of themselves or as a reinforcement to any Troops assembled on the back settlements.
1st Because the Q. Rangers are the Eldest & best known Provincial corps; they are respected by the loyal inhiabitants of Pensylvania whom they were employed to protect during the winter of 76 in their bringing their produce to Market- & whom they never plundered-
2d Because experience has shewn that they have outgone the Lt Infantry in marching & bearing fatigue-
3d Because being composed of different countries, they have not in them the Predominant Vice of any country which must render any rational corps a prey to any opponent skill'd in its foible-
4th Because it is well officered both in numbers & in regard to individuals & has but few Men-
I beg pardon to add a few reasons why I am more fit than any officer of any rank, to conduct the enterprize-

I am better known from a variety of detail service than any field.

Simcoe knew what he wanted and without hesitation asked for what he desired, this letter demonstrates with great clarity the ambition and confidence he held throughout his life and especially as commander of the Queen’s Rangers. Simcoe had a cannily ability for innovative ideas, on top of his already ambitious personality this proved immensely effective at gaining the attention of his superiors and earning the trust of his subordinates. His forward thinking ability is demonstrated in his general plan of defense issued out to his company commanders, stating:

…All Soldiers whether Officers Servants or others, whom their Commanding Officers permit to lie out of their Barracks, are to have their Arms with them & to join the first party under arms that they meet.
The most profound silence to be kept.
The Lt. Colonel recommends it to the Officers not to fire if possible, but of the necessity they must judge themselves; Whatever Quarter is attacked must be defended...

Simcoe used his forward planning talent to prescribe a plan of action to his soldiers, in doing so ensuring all soldiers understood their individual role.
Simcoe also included “servants” in his battle plans, which included African Americans and Native Americans. This is a very interesting area of Simcoe’s Rangers that are very unique, in a letter to Major André, Simcoe writes, “I understand Mrs. Elliot is to apply to the Comdr. in Chief for four Negro boys now with the Queens Rangers, & I think it necessary to explain to you this matter-”. This shows that Simcoe used African Americans in his ranks, although not line soldiers, he was leaps and bounds ahead of many other leaders at that time. Another demonstration of his disregard for social status in his unit comes from his Company of Highlanders, Simcoe writes, “The Junction… augmented the regiment into eleven companies… the eleventh was formed of Highlanders. Several of those brave men, who had been defeated in an attempt to join the army in North Carolina, were now in the corps… they were furnished with the Highlander dress, and their national piper.” Thus, his improvable ability to develop a successful unit, solely made up of partisans is in direct correlation with his personality, ambition, and forward thinking innovation, Simcoe was not interested in where his Rangers were from, he was interested in selfless service to the
Crown. Simcoe’s personality, confidence, and ambition are all blatantly evident in his letters as well as in the opinions of his subordinates and superiors. His early life and education molded his personality and developed him into the individual he was. This ultimately set him apart from his peers and allotted him his promotion to Commandant of the Queens’s Rangers where he used his personality and leadership style to affectively motivate and set the positive social environment amongst the ranks. Simcoe writes, “The corps of Rangers claimed all the attention of the now Major-commandant Simcoe, and contributed greatly to lessen his paternal fortune, for though warmly alive to the interests of others, he was always inattentive to his own.” Simcoe was in fact a very forward thinking leader, according to the current United States Army Field Manual on Leadership, it states, “A leader must have the attributes of character, presence, and intellect in order to influence soldiers by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization”. Likewise, in the most recent British Army Manual it states, “A leader should understand how to motivate himself and others. Military leadership is the projection of personality and character to inspire soldiers to do what is required of them, even if they doubt that they are capable of it”. Both manuals were published after 2010, and both come from two of the most successful and powerful militaries in the world. Not surprisingly, John Simcoe fits both of these manual’s descriptions of military leadership, even though he lead his Rangers centuries ago. This is a testament to his own leadership abilities and forward thinking ideals that attributed to the Queen’s Rangers social infrastructure. Simcoe was regarded by many of his superiors as a magnificent leader, and likewise generally beloved by his subordinates.
It is imperative to look deeper into what made him so influential as a leader. He consequently affected the Queens Rangers through his personality, which undoubtedly played a crucial role in forming the positive environment for his Rangers. In a letter to Simcoe from an Ensign in the Rangers, the level of deep rooted respect for their astute leader is made clear, “Yesterday and part of the day before there was nothing but the picture of distress in every Countenance, but this morning the Soldiers are Shouting the Father of the Rangers is alive-”. This dispatch was in response to the Rangers discovering that Simcoe was alive and would be returned after he was captured by American regulars following an engagement. Thus it can be determined that Simcoe was perceived as a father figure and viewed the Queen’s Rangers as his family. The science and psychology behind motivating soldiers in combat is still a rather new study, nevertheless Dave Grossman, the former professor of Psychology at West Point has been a pioneer regarding research into the very open field of study. In his book On Killing, Grossman states, “… the primary factor that motivates a soldier to do the things no sane man would do in combat (that is, killing and dying) is not the force of self-preservation but a powerful sense of accountability towards his comrades on the battlefield”. In
regards to the Queen’s Rangers, Simcoe is very much revered as their “father” and it can be determined that the units overall cohesion helped bring along their success. In a letter from Major Armstrong and Captain Saunders, both officers who served with Simcoe through the entirety of the war, it is stated, “when we reflect on your military conduct in the course of this war, we, in common with others acquainted with its occurrences, cannot withhold our admiration and respect… When you rise to our minds in the relation in which you stand with us, and we view you as our leader and companion, who not only has pointed out to us the road to military reputation, but has shared in common with us its dangers and hardships”. In reference to Grossman’s statement, this letter makes it clear that Simcoe was indeed revered as a hero and brother, enduring through the pains of war with his fellow Rangers. Simcoe clearly had a lovable personality and was a leader from the front, however, he lead an extremely diverse group of soldiers that was truly a “melting pot”. The ranks of the Queen’s Rangers was filled with men from all over the colonies, Scotland, and England. It is important to note that a recruit from New York and a recruit from North Carolina were both vastly different. Although the Colonies had united, the culture, religion and social structure were vastly different and each Colony was in many ways its own country. This in lies the challenge Simcoe faced, he was in command of a unit that intermixed British, Colonial, and Scottish soldiers. Dr. Salmon emphasizes the training Simcoe put his troops through, especially marksmanship training, which in a modern Army seems routine, however during the eighteenth century this was very ludicrous. Muskets were very inaccurate and regular line units used lines and columns of soldiers to counter this dilemma. An emphasis was also put on bayonets, and physical training, Simcoe states, “they were never to march in slow time; were directed to fire with precision and steadiness; to wield the bayonet with force and effect; to disperse and rally rapidity”. Simcoe used his vigorous training to bring the men together, whether on purpose or subliminally, he gave his Rangers an opportunity to bond and endure hardships. In general, soldiers had good relationships with their officers, such as Sergeant Stephan Jarvis who enjoyed his officers, especially Simcoe.