Existing comment:
Preparing for Battle:
Washington knew that discipline was key to transforming newly recruited and freshly trained civilians into soldiers.
Troops facing each other in battle stood in linear formations 50 to 100 yards apart. They exchanged repeated volleys of musket fire, as well as artillery salvos, in an effort to break up the opposing line, then charged with bayonets affixed to their muskets.
Washington made sure that his troops trained for battle using "systems of Discipline" from various English military manuals. Discipline ensured the coordinated handling of weaponry, taught individuals to act as one, and kept scared soldiers marching forward when those beside them exploded in blood. |