Non-Profit Dedicated to Historical Education of the American Revolution and the Colonial Period
British troops in line were not trained to aim their muskets. Speed was emphasized over accuracy by military strategists in the 18th century. Mass volley fire into massed targets and rapid reloading up to four times per minute were emphasized. For many commanders, the volley was a mere formality that was followed by a bayonet …
Just two days after the birth of the Continental Army, Congress approved the position of Quartermaster General and Assistant Quartermaster General on June 16, 1775. The major duties of the Quartermaster General in Washington’s Army were in transportation, forage, camps and the movement of troops. Additional duties encompassed distributing rations, clothing, ammunition within the regiments, …
How does a nation defend a spacious new land to which it just laid claim? Consider a land that began with a trickle of settlers, only to surge into a steady stream of immigrants, each year’s population surpassing the next by leaps and bounds; a territory teaming with merchants, farmers, and artisans, who quickly fanned …
The main weapon of choice during the American Revolutionary War was the Long Land Pattern Musket, or smoothbore muzzleloader, used by both the British army and patriotic rebels. This design was developed in the early 1720’s in England and was used by many nations’ infantries throughout the rest of the century until the 1830s. It …
Size of Field Cannon Field artillery is categorized as smaller cannon that were mounted on portable carriages of one axle with large wheels, designed to be moved quickly and manage the rugged terrain they were required to traverse. The size was based on the weight of shot they were capable of throwing. Typical sizes ranged …
Contrary to general belief, the term ‘rebel’ was not used solely when referring to Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. It was first commonly applied to Americans who fought for independence from Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. The British often referred to the rebellious rabble that formed a new government and army …
Alone “’Tis nothing – a private or two, now and then, Will not count in the news of the battle; Not an officer lost – only one of the men, Moaning out, all alone, the death rattle.”[1] From “The Picket Guard” by Ethel Lynn Beers. First published in Harper’s Weekly, November 30, 1861. The lone sentry looks hard …
The preferred choice of musket, (also labeled as flintlock, firelock, or smoothbore) in the British Army and subsequently in the American Army during the American Revolution was the Brown Bess. “Rugged, simple, sturdy, and terrible at close quarters”, when fired (if it fired), this smooth bore (grove bored were ‘rifled muskets’, later simply called rifles), …
George Washington’s Life Guard During the American Revolution Throughout the American Revolutionary War, George Washington’s personal bodyguard was an elite corps of infantry and mounted men. It was officially entitled The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, but was more commonly known as The Life Guard. At the start of the Revolutionary War, and the formation of the Continental …
The Apthorpe[1] or Apthorp mansion (both names are in common use – the family vault uses Apthorp) carved its place in American history early in the Revolutionary War. In the estate’s elaborate living room, General George Washington devised the plan that would send Nathan Hale to spy on the British on Long Island. It was …
African Americans who Fought in the Revolutionary War From Plymouth County, Massachusetts Taken from recruiting documents in the collection of the Pilgrim Society. Compiled by Jeremy D. Bangs in 1996, visiting curator of Manuscripts, Pilgrim Hall Museum. Silas Accro, age 29, from Plymouth, Col. Theo. Cotton’s regimentPero Blakely, age 28, from Bridgewater, Maj. Cary’s regimentWilliam …
By the mid eighteenth century, New York City had grown to the extent that the wealthy sought country estates to escape the congestion of the “city”. Another draw to build a ‘second home’ was the frequent outbreaks of diseases such as small pox, made worse in populated areas. High society families such as Watts, Livingstone, …
1775 – 1776 In February, 1775, the 40th Regiment of Foot was stationed in Dublin, Ireland. Because of developing hostilities in America, they were ordered to hold themselves in readiness. In accordance, they marched to Cork and on May 8, 1775, under the command of Major James Grant, departed the British Isles for Boston. The …
Royal Regiment of Foot Guards in the American Revolutionary War The British Brigade of Guards that fought in the American Revolutionary War was rooted in the English Civil War period of the mid seventeenth century. This select group of guardsmen raised specifically for the American conflict was chosen from the three guards regiments: First Foot …