early guerillas

[Biggsk@aol.com]

Keets writes:

<< 
 This is what made them an early example of guerrilla warriors, and the 
British an example of an administration fighting a war a long way from their 
own shores.  It may be true that the colonies managed to later muster an 
armed force equal to the British, but the model stands as an example of how 
not to fight a war. >>

To an extent.  There were guerillas in the Rev War, like those of Col. 
Francis Marion, the famous Swamp Fox of South Carolina (partly depicted in 
the character Mel Gibson played in "The Patriot"), but most of the militia 
fought attached to the Continental Army or on their own in large numbers (as 
at Bunker Hill for example - though they were officially called the 
Continental Army then, though completely untrained) under a few good 
commanders like Daniel Morgan or Gen. Nathaniel Greene.  But for the most 
part, militia could not stand with British regulars - they were too afraid of 
their bayonet attacks (their rifles and muskets could not fit bayonets).

Mixing them with Continental regulars worked best.  The myth of the American 
rifleman standing behind a rock or a tree is largely just that - a myth!

The name "guerillas" comes from France's invasion of Spain in the Napoleonic 
Wars BTW - although the concept goes back to the times of ancient Rome, 
particularly with the Germanic tribes.  "Guerra" is Spanish for war - and 
"guerilla" literally means "one who fights wars."

Greg Biggs/CVC