The American Revolution American Revolution

American Continental Army Continental Army- Patriots – Minutemen: civilians ready to fight with a minutes notice. Established by the 1 st Continental Congress June 14, ,000 Regular Army supported by 44,500 militia

American Continental Army Disadvantages Majority had no formal military training or experience No uniforms No established regiments or commanders Limited firearms, ammunition, and supplies Advantages Fighting on own land- familiar territory Do not follow traditional European fighting styles – Guerilla Warfare: a small groups of civilian or non regular soldier using military tactics against larger traditional military forces. European Allies – Spain, France, Prussia

Continental Army Leadership George Washington – Commander in Chief Nathanael Greene Benedict Arnold Horatio Gates Robert Howe Henry Knox

Continental Army’s European Allies Marquis de La Fayette- France Bernardo de Galvez – Spain Friedrich Von Steuben – Prussia

Continental Army Enlistment Served 1-3 years “Special Forces”- Sharpshooters & Riflemen – PA, MD, VA, DE Rhode Island & Massachusetts provide several all black regiments – 5000 African-American Soldiers will fight for American Independence

Continental Army Weapons There were very few factories which produced weapons in the Colonies and guns and ammunition were hard to come by Most common weapon on both sides was the British “Brown Bess” Flintlock Musket – Smooth-bore; front loading – Short range; inaccurate (20%) Other weapons: American Long Rifle, swords, sabers, axes, tomahawk, etc.

Patriot Casualties 36 major battles – Over 100 minor battles 35,000 enlisted 44,500 militia 25,000 died – 8,000 die in battle – 17,000 die from disease, MIA, or as POWs 9,000 seriously injured

British Regular Army Called “Redcoats” because of the color of their uniforms. Known as The King’s Men 48,500 British Regulars – 39,000 Infantry; 7,000 Cavalry; 2,500 Artillery 30,000 German Hessians 161,000 Seamen

British Regular Army Advantages Most powerful military force (Army and Navy) at the time Plenty of guns, ammunition, and supplies Disciplined and well trained; professional leadership Disadvantages England is an ocean away – 8wks by boat – On Colonist’s homeland

British Army Leadership John Burgoyne William Howe Lord Charles Cornwallis Thomas Gage Henry Clinton

Enlistment * Enlistment was opened to men/boys Too young/too old Government pardons given to criminals in exchange for service

British Army Allies German Hessian Mercenaries – 30,000 Soldiers Native Americans – Upset over loss of their lands – Iroquois Confederacy African Americans – 20,000 African American Loyalists will fight for Britain in exchange for freedom.

British Army Weapons Regulars were issued British “Brown Bess” Flintlock Musket with Bayonet Ferguson breech- loading rifle

British Casualties British Seamen – 1240 died in battle – 18,500 die of sickness- scurvy Hessian Mercenaries – 1200 died in battle – 6300 died from disease British Regulars – Actual numbers are unknown partial because British government did not release the information.