The Freeman 1972 - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

1972 THE WAR FOR INDEPEDENCE 345The most perplexing difficulties,however, were military and financial.To confront the most powerfulnavy in the world, the stateshad only a few ships that could becalled warships; most of the damagethey were able to do againstthe British was done by privateerswhich depended upon speed ratherthan armor. The armies should becalled occasional rather than regularor standing. True, Congressauthorized a Continental Army,made requisitions on the states formen and supplies, appointed generals,and undertook the directionof campaigns. There was a ContinentalArmy from the time of itsformation until the end of thewar; but at times - usually inwinter - it dwindled to the pointthat it more nearly resembled aparty than an army. When someregion was threatened, the armycould be fleshed out with numerousincrements of militia. TheBritish did not usually conductwinter campaigns, .so that an occasionalarmy was nearly enough- for defensive purposes.The Continental forces, duringmost of the war, however, were notsufficient to go on the offensive.The army frequently lacked· mostof the things which make an army:discipline, effective officers forsmaller units, uniforms, blankets,tents, firewood, food, adequateshot and powder, sufficient musketsor rifles and bayonets, andcontinuity. The initial enlistmentswere for one year only: only longenough, as Washington observed,for them to absorb some trainingand come under discipline beforetheir officers had to begin to treatthem with great deference in thehope that they would re-enlist. Themilitia were undependable and unpredictablein combat in the openfield; they were of greatest usewhen they outnumbered the enemy.Financing was so ineptly managedand the consequences were soimportant both to the conduct ofthe war and the founding of theRepublic that it will receive treatmentin a separate chapter.Advantages of the PatriotsIt is appropriate to focus attentionon the difficulties confrontingthe Americans in the War for Independence.It enables us to seehighlighted the sacrifices, bravery,and tenacity of those who did persevereto victory. But it is appropriatealso to note that the Patriotshad advantages as well as difficulties.Americans were fighting,usually, on their own soil. Theyhad the potentiality of supplyingmany of their wants at home.They did not have to conquer Britain,only to drive her forces fromthe states. They had much greaterprospects of gaining friends amongEuropean nations than did Brit-