some history

Again I fancy you with a historical tale, a tale of the fabled revolutionary war riflemen:

who has heard of Daniel Morgan? If you have ever been to an appleseed you probably have, but for those that have not Let me give you a brief lesson.

Capt. Morgan was tasked with putting together a company of RIFLEMAN. Now during the revolutionary war most carried muskets, but the rifle did make it's appearance during this time period. So to keep this brief Capt. Morgan would set a shingle (or board) sometimes a bucket at a range between 150-250yds. The men who wished to join were given one shot from a cold bore if they made it they were in, if not.....well good luck with the continental army (most ranges were 65 yards and under). So confident and accurate were Morgans rifleman:

Saturday, the 17th of August (1776)- Most of our officers must cut the rank insignia from their uniforms, supposedly because the rebel so-called riflemen had their greatest interest in officers, and so that these will not be distinguishable from privates, gold and silver insignia will not be worn, and now in many regiments all uniforms are similar...."
Lieut. Johann Heinrich von Bardeleben
Hesse-Cassel von Donop Regiment


The Baroness von Riedesel, wife of German Maj. Gen. Frederick von Riedesel, during the cannonade of Saratoga: "We had no water because the enemy shot every man in the head who went near the river." American snipers finally permitted a soldier's wife to run to the river. (McDowell, The Revolutionary War,1970).


I love these stories of the lesser or unknown men who helped fight tyranny. Its sad that their sacrifices have been largely forgotten. If you enjoy these stories and have children please share them, we have a lot of generations that have no idea where they came from.

In 1782, at Ft. Henry Virginia, 60 settlers were surrounded by 350 of the King's men - a combination of British Regulars, Hessian Mercenaries and Indians who has sided with the British on the promise of keeping their ancestral lands.
Of the 60 settlers, only 18 were grown men, the rest being women and children. Through spirited and accurate musket-fire, these 18 men held off several assaults on the forts walls.
Alas, after these several assaults, the supply of powder was running perilously low. All inside the fort knew their fate. You see, the British were not known for offering quarter to women and children - I will spare you the grisly details.
There was one last hope - a small cottage about 60 yards from the walls of the fort that held a supply of powder the British forces did not yet know of. The men were discussing who would go on this "suicide mission" to make an attempt to retrieve the powder when 18 year old Elizabeth Zane speaks up and says: "I will go".
Now, initially the men shout her down. They will not allow such a terrible fate to befall sweet little Elizabeth. But, Elizabeth was smart. She argues that with only 18 men to defend the fort, they can't afford to loose a single man. Further, they all knew darn well there isn't a man among them that can outrun her.
The men are forced to accept Elizabeth's logic and so they open the gates of the Fort and let her walk out. She strolls along as if on a Sunday picnic - not a care in the world. The enemy is so stunned they do not even fire on the girl.
She makes it to the cottage unharmed and removes one of her petticoats. She turns up the corners to make a satchel for carrying the powder.
Now like I said, little Elizabeth was a smart girl. She knew she wouldn't get away with here ruse twice. She lit out of that cottage at a full run - fast as she could go. The woods erupt in musket fire - the balls whistle all around Elizabeth as she runs for her life and the lives of her fellow settlers.
She makes it almost all the way back when she trips and falls flat. The settlers in the fort look on in horror at poor Elizabeth, but she picks herself up and makes it through the gates of the fort unscathed.
The powder she brought back enabled the men to hold off the enemy for another day and a half, at which point, they simply gave up and left like the cowards that they were.
Little Elizabeth Zane. 18 years old, brown hair, about 5 foot, with the heart of a lion and a love of Liberty that knew no bounds!