A hallmark of the Revolutionary War in the South was the drive by the British to use Loyalist militia to augment the British army, in combat with the American army and in keeping the peace behind the front lines. The army’s use of Loyalist militiamen in the south arose immediately after the fall of Charlestown in May 1780, and permeated British military efforts in the campaigns in the Carolinas over the next year. The Tories’ record of performance disappointed their British overlords. The fault for their record of poor achievement was complicated, but largely attributable to mismanagement by the British army.
Throughout the war, the British benefited from Loyalists mustered into regiments of Provincials. These formations, often commanded by a British officer, received training and discipline similar to British regulars. Banastre Tarleton, commander of the British Legion, was a tremendously successful leader of Provincials, as was Francis Rawdon, commander of the Volunteers of Ireland. The British army grew to accept the Provincials as members of the team fighting the war in America.
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