"Of Rocks, Trees, Rifles, and Militia" Topic

"Maybe you remember that early Bill Cosby routine about American history. It began like this:

"Suppose way back in history if you had a referee before every war, and the guy called the toss. Let's go to the Revolutionary War."

[Referee speaking] "British call heads. It's tails. What do you do, settlers? . . . Settlers say that during the war they will wear any color clothes that they want to, shoot from behind the rocks and trees and everywhere. Says your team must wear red and march in a straight line."

We laugh because Cosby tapped one of the most tenacious and cherished myths of the Revolution: American colonists prevailed in the conflict against, arguably, the finest military force of the era by using frontier tactics. American militia, or minutemen, rushed forth whenever the alarm sounded to confront the brightly dressed British regulars, who marched across the battlefield in tightly bunched formation, offering easy targets. Colonists hid behind rocks, trees, and fences and used their superior rifles to wreak havoc on the advancing redcoats, who were armed with inaccurate smoothbore muskets…"
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Amicalement
Armand

That was an interesting read. Thanks for the post.

Matthew

The article doesn't seem to add much. What I do find interesting though is the author citing Partisans and Redcoat, a work that is inconsistent with the author's conclusions.

That's what happens when you get your news and history from comedians.
Guys at work take John Stewart and John Oliver as etched in granite. How credible would they be without a fawning audience?

Winston- At least they admit to being comedians. Lots of folks on TV and radio say silly things, but present themselves as authorities.

I'm with Winston, it seems way too much import is being placed these days on what entertainers are telling us for cheap laughs, including important issues and elections. Who gave late night TV comics so much power and influence?

Glad both of you enjoyed it my friends!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand