**ED

WELCOME - Thanks to Hoylake Historical Society and all for attending

INTRODUCTION – Who are we? What do we represent and ‘mission statement’

SETTING THE SCENE : AMERICA IN THE 1770s

13 Colonies / Post French Indian War 1754-1763 / Proclamation Line 1763, Doubling of National
Debt and increased taxes to pay for it. Cost of Colonial defense and admin. Taxes, increasing
opposition increases military prescence to allows Governmental bodies to function. Grows dissent
and tension. Continental Congress and regional assemblies..limited ‘shadow government’ in
Colonies.

Boston Massacre March 1770 / Boston Tea Party 1773. In response Brit govt ends self government.
Martial law under Gage. Removal of gunpowder from militias (leftover from F/I War) causes
Lexington (19 April 1775.. 8 militia dead by british hands), Bunker Hill (17th June 75..2400 vs 3000+
troops..1054 cas. Phyriic victory) George Washington takes command of ‘Continental Army’ on 3rd
July and Siege of Boston (April till March 17 1776)

ENTER THE REDCOATS

BRITISH ARMY IN THE 1770s.. Organisation.. Companies / Battalions

THE 22nd Regiment of Foot – From Don Blog (1).. How many men

THE COMMON SOLDIER

Origins – Where did they come from / How recruited and where (not ALL from Cheshire Prewar
Makeup) 1774 Returns from Dublin. 422 Men (197 English, 174 Scottish, 40 Irish, 3 Foreign).
Between 20-30 (though 4 in 50s!), 5’6-5’9 tall and with av 8-10 years service

Jobs in civvy street continued in Army, Don Blog (

UNIFORM / EQUIPMENT (food and Weapon detail to follow)

**LYNDSEY

THE WOMEN OF THE ARMY

**ED

LIFE IN THE ARMY

PAY and EMPLOYMENT 8 pence a day.. plus deductions (Coins) Don Blog (2)

FOOD and DRINK.. (Props)

CRIME and PUNISHMENT - Court Martial Transcripts and cases. Ed – Blog (3) / Lyndsey – Blog (4) /
Ed Blog (5)
GAMES and PASTTIMES (LYNDSEY)

THE BRITISH IN AMERICA

With few men have to control 2000+ miles of Colonies. 1/3rd in favour or against or not bothered.
Long communication lines. Irregular warfare. Need for moderation against colonies. ‘Civil War’ of
brutal incidents.

22nd Foot as many units garrisoned in New York and Rhode Island. Spreading thinly, controlling yet
able to do little (control what you see only!)

Larger campaigns mix of success and defeat. Saratoga bad, Southern Campaigns Guildford
Courthouse good.

Whatever they do, Americans always keep on fighting.. George Washington as superb logistician and
moral officer. British Win Battles but start Losing War...

THE ARMY IN BATTLE

WEAPONS and TACTICS, FACT and FICTION

BRITAIN DEFEATED

WAR DRAGS on FRANCE JOINS AMERICANS. POLITICS over PATRIOTISM.

DEFEATS AT CHESAPEAKE and YORKTOWN. 17 OCT 1781 8000 beseiged British defeated by
combined force of 18900. Shock of defeat causes govnt to fall... ‘oh god, its all over’. Peace party
takes over and sues for negociated peace. War essentially ends (both sides remain in place) until
Treaty of Paris 3rd Sept 1783. Britain recognises USA. Last troops leave in November 25th 1783. (all
nicely agreed). British flag nailed to greased pole..

Britain retains forts on border according to treaty..

COST..

Britain 80 Million – National Debt 250 Million. Able to finance over next decades

France 56 Million – National Debt 187 Million. Less able to finance. Starts French Revolution!

USA..37 Million plus 117 Million from loans from France and issue of paper money (‘Continental’)
widely regarded as worthless. First Bank of USA founded 1790 to solve problems.

RESULTS

LEAN army, lessons learned which are briefly forgotten but quickly Relearned at start of Rev/Nap
war with France. Value of small army and powerful Navy reinforced, Nelsons navy same ships but
different manner .. ready to build and secure an Empire... but thats another story..

THANKS and INVITE for Q/A