Combatants
Divided loyalties
Recruiting in 1780. The American war made enormous demands on British Army manpower. NAM 1975-08-58
The war divided families and communities in North America and Britain. The split between Benjamin Franklin and his Loyalist son William symbolized this division. At the start of the war loyalties were not always clear-cut. Many Loyalists, like the rebels, were critical of British actions such as the introduction of the Stamp Act, but wanted to pursue peaceful forms of protest.
By no means all of the rebels wanted to break completely from Britain, but as time went on the lines between pro-British ‘Loyalists’ and American ‘Patriots’ became clearer. In Britain, there were many who sympathised with the colonists and opposed the war. Others fiercely resisted any loss of territory or British prestige.
Patriots
It has been estimated that the Patriots had the support of about 40% of the colonial population. The rebels came from all sections of society and included farmers, lawyers, tradesmen and merchants. Most were doing well as the economy of the 13 Colonies was thriving. The Americans had the highest standard of living and lowest taxes in the Western World. In 1763, the average Briton paid 26 shillings a year in taxes whilst a Massachusetts taxpayer contributed one shilling. Despite this, the Patriots were convinced that their prosperity and liberty were at stake.
A French print depicting British regulars fleeing from the American militia at Lexington, 1775.
NAM 1971-02-33-512-3
Loyalists
Recruiting poster for the 1st Battalion, Pennyslvania Loyalists. NAM 1969-07-17
About 15 to 20% of the population, around half a million colonists, supported the Crown and were known as Loyalists or Tories. They included small farmers as well as large landowners, royal office-holders and members of the professions, especially the Anglican clergy.
The number of Loyalists in each colony varied greatly. Half the population of New York was Loyalist and there were also large Loyalist communities in Georgia and the Carolinas.
The remainder of the population tried to remain neutral; hedging their bets until it was clear which side would come out on top. When the war ended in 1783, at least 80,000 Loyalists went into exile, many of them to Canada.
Militias
At the start of the war the revolutionaries did not have a standing army. Each colony had a small militia formed to provide local defence against the French and Native Americans. These units were gradually taken over by Patriots. They started arming and drilling in the months leading up to the outbreak at Lexington. Most militiamen served for only a few months at a time. They were often reluctant to leave home and thus unavailable for lengthy operations. Militia lacked the training and discipline of regular soldiers.
Continental Army
Major General Baron Steuben, Prussian Inspector General of the Continental Army, c1780. NAM 1960-10-171
The Continental Congress therefore organised the 'Continental Army' in June 1775. George Washington was appointed its Commander-in-Chief. His force improved as the war progressed, largely thanks to French and Prussian instructors, but he still had to augment it with the militia.
Although as many as 250,000 men may have served as regulars or militiamen during the war, there were rarely more than 80,000 men under arms for the Americans in any year.
Redcoats and Loyalists
In 1775 the British regular force in North America was fairly small. Commanded by Major General Gage, it consisted of 11 battalions of foot in Boston, one in New York and six others spread through North America; 7,000 men in all. There was no cavalry; few guns and no field supply system. Reinforcements were immediately sent to America, but the British always struggled to field enough men. There was a recruitment drive in the colonies and at home, but lacking proper depots, British units in the field struggled to replace casualties and losses caused by desertion.
Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton who raised the British Legion, 1782. NAM 1982-08-43
Many Loyalists preferred to join locally recruited units instead of becoming Redcoats. At least 20 Loyalist regiments were raised. These included the British Legion, commanded by the notorious Banastre Tarleton, and the Queen’s Rangers. Around 50,000 Loyalists served in both regular and irregular units during the war.
Hessians
The British also hired about 30,000 German mercenaries, known in the colonies as ‘Hessians’ because many were from Hesse-Kassel. Some were direct subjects of King George III, who was the Elector of Hannover. Germans eventually made up about 30% of the British strength. By 1779, the number of British and German troops stationed in North America was over 60,000.
