The latest addition to the Patriot forces is this unit of riflemen wearing green hunting shirts.
Although by far the majority of Patriots units were musket armed, there were several units composed entirely of riflemen.
Their rifles were far more accurate than the musket, but took much longer to load, and could not accommodate a bayonet until well after the Napoleonic era.
Thus they were chiefly used as skirmishers, and were particularly a threat to British officers.
The flag is an historical one, belonging to a Pennsylvania rifle regiment.
Morgan's (Virginia) rifles were perhaps the most famous of all the rifle armed units; they wore white hunting shirts for the most part.
This flag is actually one of the few Revolutionary era flags that actually survives, although badly damaged; above is a modern reproduction. The Latin moto means "I will not be subjugated". And yes, there is a re-enactment group for this unit as well (in the photos, they wear white, brown, and grey hunting shirts for all but the officers), which was also numbered as the 1st Continental regiment.
Very nice Peter. You mentioned Brunswick troops in a previous reply; what figures are you planning on using for them?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence. I haven't decided re: the Brusnwickers. Their uniforms were essentially similar to Hessians in overall pattern, and I don't think anyone makes dedicated Brunswick figures. I don't need them for at least another year. I might consider Fife and Drum for them as I only need a few units, and their look will be distinctive from the Perry and Brigade Games figures I am using for the Hessians.
DeleteAnother nice addition Peter. Glad you recognize the shortcomings of the rifleman, they may have been more accurate but they weren't the war winning super heroes of myth!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keith. Much the same as the 95th in the Napoleonic Wars, they gave an edge in some areas, but were not a battle winner by themselves. We Americans are fond of our Revolutionary myths, though! :-)
DeleteSuper unit, Peter. The green really pops.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Richard!
DeleteThey will stand out even among other colourful units
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gary. They are probably hoping it will help them hide in the woods!
DeleteReally nice work Peter. The green looks really good. I love the information about the flag, isn't it great when the original items still exist to be copied in miniature. I remember being a young soldier at my training depot and seeing the Colours of the local regiment on the wall in the chapel. It dated from the American Revolutionary War and I was absolutely stunned to see it. They were not in a great condition, but I was still amazed to see it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and thank you for the story, Jason. I agree about the impact of reminders of history upon us. Although I enjoy other genres as well, it's why the historical aspect of our hobby has always had the greatest appeal for me!
DeleteThese figures don't look like Romans to me! :o) anyway... these painted riflemen look good, quessing from memory the unit(s) served primarily as skirmishers and sharpshooters. Their ability to pick off British officers from a distance was a major psychological and tactical threat - special wargame rules to allow Pennsylvania Rifles to knock off a leader or two?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil; well, the Revolution certainly derived some inspiration for the Roman Republic, but not in the uniform area (Toga Party???)! :-)
DeleteField of Battle (which I will be using at Historicon), has a "sniper" card that forces an extra officer survival check
Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Neil!
ReplyDelete