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The Evolution of Light Infantry Tactics in the British Army during the American Revolution, Papers of Photography

Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)Photography
Prof. Dexter Columbres

This paper analyzes the development of light infantry tactics in the british army during the american revolution. It explores the origins of light infantry units, their training, and their deployment in battle. The paper highlights the key figures involved in the development of light infantry tactics, such as thomas gage, george howe, and william howe. It also examines the impact of light infantry tactics on the course of the war, particularly in battles such as the battle of vigie point.

Typology: Papers

2023/2024

Uploaded on 02/11/2025

kleinsu
kleinsu 🇵🇭

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Fall 2023
Photography 192, Chapter 5 Paper
Professor Chamberlain, Section 7
October 21, 2023
In contrast, The Army further adapted this formation during the American Revolution by
forming and fighting in looser ranks, a tactic that was known as "loose files and American
scramble". (Smith, 2021) Soldiers stood at a greater distance apart and three "orders" were
used to specify the distance to be expanded or contracted as necessary; "order" (two
intervals), "open order" (four intervals), and "extended order" (ten intervals). (Brown &
Davis, 2018)
Class Date: 12/12/2024
Teacher’s Feedback: Add more examples to support your argument.
PAPER CONTENT:
## Analysis (List)
- British infantry advanced at the 'Trott' and fought fluid battles primarily using the
bayonet.
- Although this new formation increased the British army's mobility and tactical flexibility,
the abandonment of linear formation was later blamed by some British officers for defeats
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Download The Evolution of Light Infantry Tactics in the British Army during the American Revolution and more Papers Photography in PDF only on Docsity!

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Fall 2023

Photography 192, Chapter 5 Paper

Professor Chamberlain, Section 7

October 21, 2023

In contrast, The Army further adapted this formation during the American Revolution by forming and fighting in looser ranks, a tactic that was known as "loose files and American scramble". (Smith, 2021) Soldiers stood at a greater distance apart and three "orders" were used to specify the distance to be expanded or contracted as necessary; "order" (two intervals), "open order" (four intervals), and "extended order" (ten intervals). (Brown & Davis, 2018) Class Date: 12/12/ Teacher’s Feedback: Add more examples to support your argument. PAPER CONTENT:

Analysis (List)

  • British infantry advanced at the 'Trott' and fought fluid battles primarily using the bayonet.
  • Although this new formation increased the British army's mobility and tactical flexibility, the abandonment of linear formation was later blamed by some British officers for defeats

in the later stages of the war, like the Battle of Cowpens, in which British troops engaged denser bodies of men deployed in successive lines.

Background (List)

  • The hired German regiments, the Hessians, joined Howe's army in 1776 also adopted the two rank formation used by the British army, but retained the traditional close order system of fighting throughout the war.
  • === Light infantry === In 1758, Thomas Gage (then a lieutenant colonel) had formed an experimental light infantry regiment known as 80th Regiment of Light-Armed Foot, considered to be the first such unit to serve in the British Army.
  • Other officers, notably George Howe, the elder brother of William Howe, had adapted their regiments to serve as light infantry on their own initiative.
  • On becoming commander-in-chief in North America in 1758, General Jeffery Amherst ordered every regiment to form light infantry companies from their ranks.

Conclusion

The 80th regiment was disbanded in 1764 and the other ad-hoc light infantry units were converted back to "line" units, but infantry regiments retained their light companies until the mid-nineteenth century. In 1771 and 1772, the British army began implementing a new training scheme for light infantry companies. Much of the early training was found to be inadequate, with officers unsure how to use light companies. Many of the brightest young officers of light companies sought commissions elsewhere because being a "light-bob"

Analysis (List)

  • Similar composite battalions were often formed from the grenadier companies of line regiments.
  • Grenadiers were historically chosen from the tallest soldiers, but as with light infantry companies, were often selected from among the most proficient soldiers in their parent units.
  • === Tactics === At the Battle of Vigie Point in 1778 a force of British infantry who were veterans of colonial fighting inflicted heavy casualties on a far larger force of regular French troops who advanced in columns.
  • Clayton describes how "...the use of light infantry, well led by their officers and NCOs, was of key importance in advance as skirmishers fired on French columns from behind cover; when the French attempted to extend they were threatened with bayonet charge... and when the French advanced they fell back to prepare for further skirmishing and ambushes from all directions."
  • Fortescue similarly describes the action: "Advancing in skirmish order and keeping themselves always under cover, the light companies maintained at close range the most destructive fire on the Heavy French columns... At last one of the enemy's battalions fairly gave way and the light companies followed them to complete the rout with the bayonet".

Background (List)

  • === Loyalists ===

Large numbers of scouts and skirmishers were also formed from loyalists and Native Americans.

  • The renowned Robert Rogers formed the Queen's Rangers, while his brother James Rogers led the King's Rangers.
  • Loyalist pioneer John Butler raised the provincial regiment known as Butler's Rangers, who were heavily engaged in the Northern colonies during which they were accused of participating in Indian led-massacres at Wyoming and Cherry Valley.
  • The majority of Native Americans favoured the British cause and Mohawk leader Joseph Brant commanded Iroquois and Loyalists in campaigns on the New York Frontier.
  • Colonel Thomas Brown led another group of King's Rangers in the Southern colonies, defending East Florida from invasion, raiding the southern frontier and participating in the conquest of the southern colonies. References / Works Cited:
  1. Wikipedia (n.d.). Retrieved from https://wikipedia.org/
  2. Random Book Title (2022). Academic Publishing House.