The Patriot Army in 1775

 

Regular United States Infantry during the Revolutionary War were known as “Continentals” or the “Continental Line.”

Massachusetts and Virginia each furnished the largest of the state Lines.  Each state was responsible for equipping its own soldiers.

At the beginning of the war equipping troops with proper firearms was a major problem.  Although men usually brought their own weapons when mustered (long rifles or hunting guns), the lack of uniformity among these weapons was a problem. 

The notorious inaccuracy of the musket made the use of the bayonet a key element in battlefield tactics. 

The opposing armies lined up facing each other in ranks two or three deep and fired in the direction of the enemy. The musket was highly inaccurate at a distance greater than 80 yards.

Speed in loading and firing was more important than aiming.  The volume of fire was considered the measure of a good army. Presumably if you fired enough times you were bound to hit someone.   

The battlefield tactics of the time called for reliance on the musket with a bayonet.

Civilian hunting guns and rifles were not designed to mount a bayonet. If a fight was confined to shooting, the Americans had an advantage with their longer range rifles.

If a battle ended with a bayonet charge, of which the British were masters, the Americans would be outmatched.

In 1777, General Washington formed a Corps of Riflemen under the command of the Virginian Daniel Morgan to take advantage of the long range shooting capability and accuracy of the rifle.  These riflemen were a special unit, protected by regular Line troops when threatened by bayonets. 

The musket problem was not resolved until 1777.  France became the primary supplier of military style muskets. 

Some 102,000 muskets were delivered to America between 1776 and 1781.  By 1777 the entire Continental Line was equipped with French muskets.

Until the formation of the Continental Line in 1775, the American colonies had depended on home grown militias for their day to day protection.

 

In times of peace the militia was more of a social or drinking club than a military organization. Discipline was lax and training sketchy. Even in times of war, militiamen were reluctant to serve more than a few weeks away from home.  Without them, who would work the farm and provide for the family? 

 

Notwithstanding the shortcomings of the militia, militiamen often provided essential manpower on the ground at key moments.  British commanders had to take into account the size of militia forces operating against them when planning campaigns.  Such forces might be unpredictable, and unsteady in a pitched battle against British regulars, but they could inflict significant damage, especially in guerilla style attacks.

Even though the militia force was large and useful, General Washington was convinced that ultimate victory over the British would require the creation of a national, disciplined, professional army.  He created this Continental Army which would serve the American war effort well, with the militia providing significant support.