An '''army of observation''' is a military body whose purpose is to monitor a given area<ref>{{cite book|title=A Military Dictionary: Or, Explanation of the Several Systems of Discipline of Different Kinds of Troops, Infantry, Artillery, and Cavalry; the Principles of Fortification, and All the Modern Improvements in the Science of Tactics: Comprising the Pocket Gunner, Or Little Bombardier; the Military Regulations of the United States; the Weights, Measures, and Monies of All Nations; the Technical Terms and Phrases of the Art of War in the French Language. Particularly Adapted to the Use of the Military Institutions of the United States|url=https://archive.org/details/amilitarydictio00duangoog|accessdate=10 April 2013|year=1810|publisher=William Duane, no. 98, Market Street|pages=[https://archive.org/details/amilitarydictio00duangoog/page/n34 15]–}}</ref> or enemy body in preparation for possible hostilities.
Some of the more notable armies of observation include: *French revolutionary ''Armée d'Observation'', predecessor of the Army of the Danube (1799). *Third Reserve Army of Observation, a Russian army tasked to monitor the Austrian border in 1811 prior to the French invasion of Russia. *The New England Army of Observation, which was organized in April 1775 by Massachusetts Bay Colony and the other New England Colonies, in anticipation of hostilities with Great Britain.<ref>[https://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/army-of-observation-new-england/] American History Central Army of Observation (New England).</ref> *The army of observation at Fort Jesup, Louisiana, United States, which monitored between 1822 and 1845 Texas' transition from Spanish to Mexican control, and to eventual independence *The Hanoverian Army of Observation which monitored the border prior to the French Invasion of Hanover in 1757
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Set index article}} Category:Army units and formations