Disaster on the Spanish Main : the tragic British-American expedition to the West Indies during the War of Jenkins' Ear

Disaster on the Spanish Main presents a thoroughly researched and gripping account of the 1741–42 West Indies expedition from its roots in the commercial-imperial conflicts between Britain and Spain to its eventual unraveling in death and despair. 2023 Silver Medal in History from the Military Writers Society of America Disaster on the Spanish Main unveils and illuminates an overlooked yet remarkable episode of European and American military history and a land-sea venture to seize control of the Spanish West Indies that ended in ghastly failure. Thirty-four years before the Battles of Lexington and Concord, a significant force of American soldiers deployed overseas for the first time in history. Colonial volunteers, 4,000 strong, joined 9,000 British soldiers and 15,000 British sailors in a bold amphibious campaign against the key port of Cartagena de Indias. From its first chapter, Disaster on the Spanish Main reveals a virtually unknown adventure, engrosses with the escalating conflict, and leaves the reader with an appreciation for the struggles and sacrifices of the 13,000 soldiers, sailors, and marines who died trying to conquer part of Spain's New World empire. Disaster on the Spanish Main breaks new ground on the West Indies expedition in style, scope, and perspective and uncovers the largely untold American side of the story. Porto Bello -- Competition between Empires -- Hosier's Ghost -- Tension in the West Indies -- War -- Dithering, Decision and Defiance -- Expanding War -- Mustering the Americans -- Underway . . . at Last -- Caribbean -- Jamaica -- Saint Domingue to Cartagena -- Tierra Bomba -- Bocachica -- Castillo San Luis de Bocachica -- Tierra Firme -- Castillo San Felipe de Barajas -- Withdrawal -- Santiago -- Panama to Reduction -- Epilogue "Disaster on the Spanish Main: The Tragic British-American Expedition to the West Indies during the War of Jenkins' Ear presents a thoroughly researched and factual account of the West Indies expedition from its roots in the commercial-imperial conflicts between Britain and Spain to its eventual unraveling in death and despair"-- Provided by publisher