Tactics and Strategies of The British
The British army was under the clock. The government was well aware that it could not afford a long and costly war, politically or economically. The strategy of the British consisted of luring the Americans into major actions where they could attack and destroy the American armies and break up the spirit of the rebels. British strategy took the form of three major campaigns: a grand scheme to cut off New England from the other colonies.
Background Information on Strategies
During the American Revolution the British army was the most powerful in the world. However, they were fighting ocean away from home. This is over 3,000 miles. As a result, they had to be somewhat conservative in battle. If they suffered a great loss, it would take close to 5 weeks to send the first of more troops, and even longer to get the full army back in shape. They were also far away from their source of income and weapons/artillery, food, and this distance grew even farther as they moved into the interior of the colonies.
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the British used the standard tactics of war used on the battlefields of Europe. This called for large formations of men to be lined up three deep. They engaged the enemy in open fields and exchanged fire.
Part of the British strategy required the use of certain battlefield weapons. The most commonly used weapon for a British soldier during the war was consisted of Brown Bess (75 caliber 3/4 of an inch in diameter), cannons, and bayonets.
The tactics of the British were not designed to shoot down the enemy until retreat, but to break up the organized lines so your side could then march forward, in an organized and linear fashion, and charge with the bayonet. a disorganized unit can not stand against an organized bayonet charge.
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the British used the standard tactics of war used on the battlefields of Europe. This called for large formations of men to be lined up three deep. They engaged the enemy in open fields and exchanged fire.
Part of the British strategy required the use of certain battlefield weapons. The most commonly used weapon for a British soldier during the war was consisted of Brown Bess (75 caliber 3/4 of an inch in diameter), cannons, and bayonets.
The tactics of the British were not designed to shoot down the enemy until retreat, but to break up the organized lines so your side could then march forward, in an organized and linear fashion, and charge with the bayonet. a disorganized unit can not stand against an organized bayonet charge.
General William Howe
General William Howe was one of the most significant British generals during the American Revolution. Howe was an intelligent and clever man. He was sympathetic to the colonists but as a soldier, he had to fight against them.
After George Washington won a battle at Dorchester Heights, where he could overlook Boston Harbor and observe the British, General Howe ordered his troops to go back to Canada until they could attack again. General Howe and his troops began the battle for New York City. In August, they fought against General George Washington in the Battle of Long Island.
The British won the battle, but they stopped instead of going to chase after the Americans. That let the Americans escape with their troops. Howe and his army captured the Fort, including 3000 prisoners and many supplies. This was a bad loss for the Americans. Then General Howe and his troops captured Fort Lee, New Jersey, and across the river from New York City. The British had captured all of New York.
After George Washington won a battle at Dorchester Heights, where he could overlook Boston Harbor and observe the British, General Howe ordered his troops to go back to Canada until they could attack again. General Howe and his troops began the battle for New York City. In August, they fought against General George Washington in the Battle of Long Island.
The British won the battle, but they stopped instead of going to chase after the Americans. That let the Americans escape with their troops. Howe and his army captured the Fort, including 3000 prisoners and many supplies. This was a bad loss for the Americans. Then General Howe and his troops captured Fort Lee, New Jersey, and across the river from New York City. The British had captured all of New York.
Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton
Banastre Tarleton was born on August 21, 1754 in Liverpool, England. He volunteered to fight in America, and soon was known for his speed, daring, and surprise. Tarleton's early success included raids on upstate New York, and action in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In the Carolinas he took an active part in the battles of Charleston, Waxhaws, and Camden. It was in the Waxhaws that Tarleton came to symbolize British cruelty in the Revolutionary War. Banastre Tarleton was held personally responsible for the death of a few officers and veteran troops. He subsequently submitted his resignation but it was not accepted, so he continued to fight with very little success. Banastre Tarleton died on January 16, 1833 at 78 years old, as one of the most hated