Between 1775 and 1783, an estimated 230,000 men served in the Continental Army with another approximately 145,000 men serving in state militia units.

Who were the men who served in these military ranks? What motivated them to take up arms and join the army? And what was their military experience like?

In this episode of the Doing History: To the Revolution series, we explore the development of the Continental Army, partisan militia groups, and Native American scouting parties. Our guides for this exploration are Fred Anderson, Randy Flood, and Brooke Bauer.

Show Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/158

Sponsor Links

• Omohundro Institute
• William and Mary Quarterly
• OI Reader
• Episode 128: Alan Taylor, American Revolutions
• William and Mary Quarterly-Journal of the Early Republic joint issue on the American Revolution special discount

Complementary Blog Post

• Holly Mayer, "Following the Army"

Complementary Episodes

• Episode 010: Don Hagist, British Soldiers, American War
• Episode 048: Ken Miller, Enemy Captives During the War for Independence
• Episode 056: Daniel J. Totora, The Anglo-Cherokee War, 1759-1761
• Episode 060: David Preston, Braddock’s Defeat
• Episode 102: William Nester, George Rogers Clark
• Episode 122: Andrew O’Shaughnessy, The Men Who Lost America
• Episode 123: Revolutionary Allegiances
• Episode 129: J.L. Bell, The Road to Concord
• Episode 130: Paul Revere’s Ride Through History
• Episode 132: Coll Thrush, Indigenous London
• Episode 153: Committees and Congress: Governments of the American Revolution
• Episode 157: The Revolution’s African-American Soldiers

Helpful Show Links

• Ben Franklin's World Facebook Page
• Join the Ben Franklin's World Community
• Sign-up for the Franklin Gazette Newsletter
• Ben Franklin's World iOS App
• Ben Franklin's World Android App