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If the enemy pursue your rear, take a circle till you come
to your own tracks, and there form an ambush to receive them,
and give them the first fire. If your number be small, march
in a single file, keeping at such a distance from each other
as to prevent one shot from killing two men.
These are just two of a list of fighting techniques and methods
known as Rogers' Ranging Rules, compiled by Robert Rogers in
the mid-1750s. Many of his tactics are still practiced by the
US Army today.
In this painting by John Buxton, it is the summer of 1759,
and France and Great Britain are locked in their final struggle
for supremacy in North America. A scouting party led by the famous
Robert Rogers pauses atop Mount Pelee, overlooking Lake George,
on its way to observe French activity at Fort Ticonderoga. British
General Jeffrey Amherst relies heavily on intelligence provided
by his intrepid American Rangers as he prepares his offensive
against the French.
Once the Rangers' proficiency was recognized, they became
Independent Companies on the Regular British Establishment, and
they were paid for by the Crown. Their dress was a distinctive
combination of military, frontier, and native styles, and they
practiced then-unconventional tactics. The Rangers are accompanied
by Royal Artillery Lieutenant Thomas Davies, whose artistic efforts
left us a valuable record of colonial America. A member of Rogers'
Stockbridge Indian Companies accompanied him in this mission.
He was subject to Ranger discipline, but wore native dress and
served under his own Indian officers. |