A bunch of hicks with deer rifles could never take on the government

Via hefferman1

 

History is a fascinating subject not because of dates and events but because of the personalities and causes that drive them.

At the moment, I’m almost halfway through Fischer’s Washington’s Crossing, at a point after the Continental Army had won battles at Trenton and Princeton through brilliant leadership, and then went into winter quarters, as Washington was busy with the business of politicking, provisioning, and recruiting for the upcoming campaign season. What my history books in high school never taught was the petite guerre that was waged on Washington’s behalf in late winter on his behalf by Jersey militiamen.

Yes, those damned, troublesome militiamen.

Through small unit attacks, raids, assaults on British foraging parties and small battles, the militia beat the Hessians and the British Regulars back to Amboy, within sight of New York City.  This petite guerre made it extremely difficult for the British to forage for food or obtain fodder for their animals without suffering continual casualties.

When British foraging units sallied forth, they were ambushed, their purloined supplies confiscated by the militias or destroyed. When larger units were sent out, the Jersey militiamen riddled their flanks and rear. In each and ever encounter, the militias gained experience and proficiency, and British and Hessians uniformly took took the heavier losses.

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