Colonial Militia's during the era of the American Revolution were pretty simple things. All adults above a certain age and below a certain age gathered together a few weekends a year and practiced and drilled for several possible eventuality's. Things like Indian attacks, Invasion from the French or whomever, or even between other colonies. But they were not professionals, not by a long shot! When they attempted to use European tactics, the tactics they drilled in they got slaughtered every time. It was only when they changed tactics and fought from ambush or used cover and concealment that they had a much better time of it.
The other part of the equation for these citizen militias was that they were all armed and usually had the mixings to produce shot and shell and more weapons in there hometowns. They knew they couldn't depend on supply so they had to make there own and have there own ready to use. Every man in the militia had there own weapon, a ready supply of powder and shot, and all were close at hand. They literally could be out the door armed and ready to muster within a minute of being informed of trouble.
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