EIGHTEENTH CENTURY ARMIES

AMERICAN MILITIA TRADITION

Historical British fear of standing armies

        Reinforced by economic realities in colonies

        Colonial militia had two purposes:

                For immediate defense of local area

                As unit in a larger colonial offensive army

Important Aspects of Colonial Militia

        1) Universal Service (at least in theory)   

                    Every adult male subject to service

        2) Short Terms of Service

                    Usually called out only for immediate crisis

                    Normally a 90 day  limit on active service

        3) Local Organization

                    Usually by town

                    Colonial organization often very informal

        4) Little Discipline

                    Minimal training provided

                    Officers were often untrained as well

                    Familiarity between officers and men undermined military discipline

                            Were all neighbors

                            In North - men elected own officers

                            In South - chosen by social status

        5) No Uniformity

                    Each soldier supplied his own equipment, musket, etc.

                    Several manuals of discipline in use (at least 3 official ones)

                    Each unit had own uniform

                        Most had none - they were expensive

        6) Lacked many essentials needed for war

                    Very few cavalry units - had to supply own horses

                    Very few artillery units

                    Very informal organization for supply, hospital corps, etc.