#light infantry
British light infantry deploying.
Light infantry, acting in their role as skirmishers, were extremely effective against American militia on April 19, 1775. The very existence of the light infantry (in use since the French & Indian War) should dispel the old myth of the stupid redcoat marching in straight lines to his doom against the American sharpshooter.
Ironically enough, the American militia used the same training manuals (for the most part) as did their British counter-parts. It wasn’t until von Steuben’s arrival that a distinctive American training manual appeared, and he mostly synthesized the best from various European manuals.
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Above, the Tobacco Box by William Henry Bunbury. Below, Captain of Light Infantry, as represented in the Kirkman print. The same cap? I don’t know. It was not unknown for artists to use the most readily visible soldiers as models for their pictures, regardless of the type of soldier in question. This lead to some rather comical depictions of members of the volunteer associations bidding tearful farewells to their sweethearts. (the volunteer associations sole purpose was home defense- They never served abroad)
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