Bob Johnson, Whippany, New Jersey

Marvelous, simply marvelous. I shall really be happy to see TAG come on strong.

However, in my never ending fight to disabuse those of little knowledge of the American Revolution from displaying their futile studies, I must give you the following:

THE REAL HISTORY OF AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY HORSE PART I

To say there were 7 cavalry units during the American Revolutionary War is misleading and/or wrong. There were no 'cavalry' but rather 'horse' is the proper term. The Americans had horse of various types. The basic variations being Light Horse with sabres, Dragoons with carbines and Legionary which could be either or armed with lances. In the American Revolution, distinction must further be made of continental troops and militia.

CONTINENTAL HORSE

The Americans were slow to learn the use of horse notwithstanding that Washington came from Virginia. This was true because most Americans had their war experience in forest warfare where horse was impractical at best. It wasn't until 1777 that provisions were made for horse units; regulations called for four regiments - 1 from Connecticut and 3 from Virginia. Sheldon's Second (Conn.) had been forming in 1776 and was used to guard the east side of the Hudson. The horse played a small part in the northern war, being used mainly as flank cover, outposts and prisoner raids. In the south the cavalry played a larger role albeit until 1781 a poor one. The 1, 3 and 4 Regiments (the Va. Rgts.) were sent south in 1780 and took part in the Charleston debacle; remnants escaped and became Washington's horse (Lt. Col. Wm., not George). Average strength for the rest of the war was 80 troopers, although they were split into 2 rgts. for a short while late 1781. It was under Washington that they became heroes and did wonderful service.

Also, part of the Continental horse were the Legions. Three were organized between 1778 and 1780. The most successful was Lee's Legion. Lee was originally a troop captain in the First Dragoons, but his ambition sought him autonomy. His horse, often teamed with McLanes (mounted) infantry offset the spectacular success of Simcoe's Queen's Rangers in raiding and food hunting. After his success at Powle's Hook (Jersey City), Lee's force was expanded to 3 troops of horse and 3 companies of foot and he became a major. In 1781, Lee also went south. It was a very good unit - one of the best and served General Greene welI.

The most famous was Pulaski's Legion. Pulaski was the only American general of the horse; however, the Americans did not like him. He was then awarded the honor of raising a Legionary force. His horsemen came mostly from Maryland and, at the beginning at least, were armed with lances - the only lance outfit ever in the American Army. (There were Lancers from Pa. in the American Civil War). This unit never found success although brave enough. With Pulaski's death at Savannah, 1779, the Legion was merged with that of Armand. This romantic hero is little known and it is a shame. His Legion never was very big. In 1781, the average strength was 60 horse and 60 foot. However, he was about the only force defending Virginia in early 1781.

A side note - in 1781 or '82, even the dragoons were reorganized into Legions for some reason, although without foot, I believe.

There were, lastly, also the Provost Marshal troop of horse. Created by Ottendorf, they served as part of the Commander- in-Chief's guard. They are little mentioned in history, except that the unit was mostly German -American.

The militia horse is varied also. Almost every state had its horse unit, although few were as well accoutered or organized as the Philadelphia Light Horse. Militia horse was used rarely and is rarely encountered except for the Skinner's. Not truly militia, but rather partisans who warred with Delancey's Cowboys for loot in Westchester. One might say they were hardly Americans either, but outlaws. The partisans of the south - Marion, Pickens, Sumter, Davies (among others) - were also usually mounted for travel, but fought afoot, like dragoons were supposed to do. The dragoons had exchanged their carbines for sabres and fought that way throughout the war. I know of only one case where militia were so armed - the 45 men of McCall's Georgians at Cowpens.

Larry Gallagher, 1971 West Shahonway, Tucson, Arizona 85704

Recently in Volumes II numbers 1, 2 and also in "The Wargame" I have noticed illustrations of soldiers of the XVIII century. But under them are catalogue numbers such as B.XVI 1 8 (under the article "The Polish Army in the XVII century". To get to the point These must be made because except for the first article they are not mentioned, now I would like to know how to get in touch with the distributor, manufacturer, or whatever. Also if there are any wargamers in southern Arizona (around Tucson) please let me know, it's drab fighting the same person all the time. I have a small (very) Napoleonic Army and am starting a 30 years War Army but I have a large Civil War Army (about 2,000 infantry and cavalry and about 26 cannon Airfix they are cheapest and lastly I would like to know if Hinton Hunt Figures has gone out of business there is only one ad in Armchair General. Please let me know about these factors.

Ed: Arizona Wargamers please note.

The 1600-1690 flats (20mm) to which you refer are commissioned by a group of French wargamers and collectors. Try contacting Pierre Foure, 8 Parc de la Berengere, St. Cloud, Seine et Oise, France. So far as we know Hinton Hunt is still in business. We haven't heard from him since all the responses to their ad went to the other advertisers on the same page (We forgot to put a divider between ads.)