American Revolution: The surprising truth about Britain's redcoats

The British Army of the American revolution. Like most British armies throughout history, they were over-stretched, under resourced and fighting thousands of miles from home against a tough and determined enemy.

But what do we really know about these men in the red coats?

Were they the proverbial scum of the earth? Was the army their only option to avoid the gutter? Where were they from and how long did had they served?

And what about the officers? Were they “foppish dandies, or oafish brutes”? Or were they well-motivated and experienced soldiers doing the best for their men?

Well today I am joined by author and historian Robbie MacNiven to discover the answers to all of these questions and more.

Robbie has written a book about the 33rd Foot on campaign during the revolution - it’s called the Pattern and I’ve posted a link below.

[Error__Account_Deleted]

I’m a Yank Historian. One of my favorite things is correcting the HUGE misconceptions about the “savage” Redcoats. Or the “Boston Massacre” that was a complete and total accident. I try to remind my countrymen about John Adams and how he stood for what was right by defending the British Soldiers accused of killing the colonists in cold blood. Fact must reign supreme. Great video gents! I’m very proud America comes from Britain.

[steveww]

As an American and a Rev war reenactor I have nothing but respect for the British solider . Great video

[marlkarx]

The most incredible thing about the "war of independence" is the willingness of all to believe it wasnt another British civil war.

[sid]

I'm an American, and I never heard that the British Army in America was anything but a professional army led by a capable general. I heard they were hard, sometimes brutal, but hell, history is rife with a lot worse.

Good fight! Thanks for making us earn it.

[Turf-yjei]

The story I got in American public school wasn't that they were "scum of the earth or all criminals" but that the British Army was a professional army and the best trained army in the world and it's that much more impressive that we defeated them.

[darkstarr]

There is a reason the revolutionary war is sometimes called the USA's first civil war, it was often British against British or British against someone of British descent

[justinjex]

Yankee here. Family literally fought in the American Revolution. My family has served ever since. I love the Brits. Proud to have family ties there. Maybe we had some issues a couple of centuries ago, but love Great Britain. Was genuinely sorry for the loss of your Queen. She was a genuine hero. May we serve in solidarity as brothers and sister forevermore.

[revere]

As a US Marine infantry veteran and Revolutionary War reenactor, the more I discover about the combat skills of the redcoats, the more I am amazed. The 33rd was arguably one of the best! Thank you for sharing this.

[paulpeacock]

There is no way that they could have amassed such a large empire without extremely resilient and dedicated enlisted soldiers.

[nythzouave]

I've read "The Pattern", a great microcosm of a British unit the American Revolution. It also shows the effect great leadership can have on a unit. The 33rd was a run of the mill infantry regiment before Cornwallis, but during his administration it became known as the Pattern. The paragon example of what other regiments should strive for. Thanks Redcoat History for delving into the American Revolution.

[frakismaximus]

Its about time the British started sticking up for themselves and their history! Bravo 👏 🇬🇧

[ryanziegler]

I love studying the American Revolution, and I'm glad someone is remembering these heroes. Their professionalism and fighting prowess had been seriously underestimated. Great episode as usual and best wishes to you from the USA!

[Universal_exports]

As an American, I really have nothing but respect for them. Only twenty years earlier, we had the French Indian War on our side of the Pond and even George Washington himself was in that...under British Colors. I'm glad that the US and UK are the closest of Allies 250 years later.

[welshwarrior]

Another brilliant account of the history of our past soldiers. Thanks both.

[claudeoverstreet]

Former Redcoat reenactor of the 23rd Regiment of Foot, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Really enjoyed this video and shared it.

[sirscottdouglas]

I was taught in school here in the states that the British Army was the best in the world. Well trained HIGHLY Disciplined. There’s a story about an American sharp shooter was picking them off. As soon as one man would fall, the man from the second row would step up in the man’s place and never we blink an eye. Stood at attention in ranks. Very disciplined. At Bunker Hill the British marched in the open up hill being slaughtered but they kept coming. On the 3rd try they broke through and took the hill… they were no joke

[verge]

Empires are not made without dedicated rank and file.
Empires are not kept without dedicated leaders.

[tonyclough]

The western Americans hated redcoats, but Geronimo when traveled to Canada after the battle liked them they said keep the kings peace and you can live here.
The only time a westerner kept his word to a native Indian.

[RandomDudeOYT]

From the US: this was very informative and it’s good to know what we were up against. Thank you for the video.

[JohnELemmenes]

The British army was extraordinary for many many centuries