Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:44 pm
Tory militia recruited best when the British controlled towns and areas and the Rebels were weak there, though never to the numbers the British hoped. Tory militia recruited for the duration, usually, which was one reason they recruited poorly. Tory milita, once recruited could be sent anywhere.
Rebel militia tended to turn out in the largest numbers the closer the danger was. Rebel militia usually recruited only for three month terms. This effectively prevented them from being sent far from home. Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire sent alot of militia to New York. New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia militia would go to adjoining states. Beyond those examples, militia fighting out of their region was rare or non existant.
The original 75 Boston army was all militia, before being accepted into the continental army. Connecticut sent 19 militia regiments to Washihington's New York army in 76 and New York state 9, with others raised for the north and indian fighting. Pennsylvania had 12 militia regiments at Brandywine in 77. Other examples could be given.