The Patriot – Things to Watch Hollywood History

The Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 Bunker Hill was the objective, yet most of the fighting was on nearby Breed’s Hill Colonial militia vs. British regulars British eventually capture the ground American casualties – 450 British casualties – Over 1,000

Weapons of the Eighteenth Century Veterans of Indian Wars may have taken tomahawks or knives Muskets (guns) were long and heavy An average shooter could probably load and fire an accurate shot in around 30 seconds Muskets were not that accurate due to the shape of their ammunition Tried to compensate by lengthening barrel, making them heavier and tougher to hold Ammo for muskets involved melting lead into a mold then forming into a round ball Mold - Courtesy of Missouri State Historical Museum

Photos from: Smithsonian National Museum of American History – Behring Center Missouri State Historical Museum

How to load and fire a musket

Uniforms and Clothing British soldiers were called “Redcoats” Not all British wore red, however Cavalry units altered colors to distinguish themselves The most famous of these were the Green Dragoons Continental or Colonial soldiers often wore blue Continental militia did not have a standard uniform and wore their own clothes Smithsonian National Museum of American History – Behring Center

Banastre Tarleton and The Green Dragoons Notoriously vicious British cavalry leader Routinely burned houses In one instance, he supposedly killed Continentals who were surrendering

The Battle of Camden August 16, 1780 Lord Cornwallis (British) vs. Horatio Gates (Continentals) Gates has the numeric advantage in soldiers Gates uses a large amount of untrained militia When the shooting begins, most of the militia retreat immediately

Different Strategies British disagree with aiming for officers –They believe without officers, there is no order The British did burn down houses of citizens loyal to the rebels –That was usually as bad as it got Most honorable type of war was to stand in the field before your enemy –Ambushes were considered ungentlemanly and in poor taste

The Battle of the Cowpens and The Battle of Guilford Courthouse Lord Cornwallis, leader of British, has no respect for Colonial militia Daniel Morgan tells militia to form at center, fire two shots, and retreat –He hopes British will chase militia British advance met with Colonial Regulars waiting –Regulars fire at point blank range Major victory for Continental army

Taxation without representation Just because one state is at war, that doesn’t mean they all are