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The Continental Army had no money, and had bad soldiers (few soldiers). The Continental Congress raised eight companies of soldiers, each numbering 120 men. These companies were made up entirely of cripples, invalids, blind men, and men missing arms and legs. But, they were fighting on there own land, for their own land, and for freedom. And, they had a great leader. They got supplies by stealing them from the British. (Fort Ticonderoga) George Washington lamented that the Continental Army had "very little discipline, order or government" at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. As the war progressed, his soldiers learned European military drill, and combined it with their determination and frontier know-how to defeat the redcoats, one of the world's best-trained and best-equiped armies. The rifle took a long time to load, compared to the musket. By the time a soldier forced his rifle ball down the barrel, the enemy could get him with a bayonet. Their rifles had no bayonet, a necessity for fighting at close range, or in damp weather when wet flints and gunpowder made firearms useless. Because of these disadvantages, the musket remained the primary weapon used during the Revolutionary War. England had good soldiers and lots of money. But, they didn't care, and England was fighting several other wars at the same time. (There was a Palm tree fort in Charleston. The English stopped several times when they got close to ending it, crossing the Delaware to attack drunk Hessians.) I have exclusive permission from the author of the book to post this info. No one should copy and attempt to use these materials. © 2005-2011 Diane Siniard |