Militia existed in the colonies long before the American Revolution. With the exception of Pennsylvania, colonies required most able-bodied men to own weapons, to be willing to be called for periodic training, and to defend their communities from attack, primarily by Indians. This was the colonial militia.
Minutemen came into being in the wake of the crisis in Boston, in 1774. Essentially, they were a reorganized militia, rid of any vestiges of loyalty to the crown, and trained, far more extensively than they had been previously, so that they could "turn out" at a minute's notice.
Because they could be ready to fight at a minuteβs notice
Some militia members were known as minutemen because they were select members of the militia. They were given extra training and were ready to deploy at short notice.
The members of the colonial militias came from all classes of society. The first colonial militia was formed in 1636, 140 years before the American Revolution. The Massachusetts General Court, the colonials' governing body in that colony, required that all able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60 join the militia. (There were exceptions for ministers, judges, some master craftsmen and ship masters, etc. so in practice the militia had a higher proportion of the working class than the population in general.) Members of the militia were required to meet to train regularly and be ready to fight when needed. The purpose of the militia was to protect the colonies against attack from Native Americans, to be ready to fight foreign invasion, and to keep order in the towns and villages.The "Redcoats" were the soldiers of the regular British Army, who wore fancy bright red uniforms.
The Massachusetts militia stored their ammunition in a variety of locations throughout the state. The most common location was the armories, which were typically located in cities and towns. These armories were usually brick or stone buildings, and had a secure area to store firearms and ammunition. In some cases, the armories were also used to store provisions such as food and medical supplies. In addition to armories, the militia also stored ammunition in magazines. Magazines were typically located in rural areas, and were also used to store other military supplies. Magazines were typically built of stone or brick and were built to be fireproof. They were often surrounded by a fence or wall, and in some cases had a guard stationed at the entrance. The militia also stored ammunition in forts and redoubts. These were typically located in strategic locations to protect the militia from attack. The forts and redoubts were typically made of stone and had secure storage areas for firearms and ammunition. Finally, the militia also stored ammunition in private homes and businesses. This was sometimes done to ensure that ammunition was readily available in the event of an attack. In some cases, the militia rented out buildings to store their ammunition, while in others they simply stored it in the homes or businesses of their members. Overall, the Massachusetts militia stored their ammunition in a variety of locations, including armories, magazines, forts, redoubts, and private homes and businesses. This allowed them to have access to ammunition in any location, which was critical for their defense.
National Guard. Some states have State Guards or State Defense Forces in addition to these.
the army was short on men
Some militia members were known as minutemen because they were select members of the militia. They were given extra training and were ready to deploy at short notice.
Militia existed in the colonies long before the American Revolution. With the exception of Pennsylvania, colonies required most able-bodied men to own weapons, to be willing to be called for periodic training, and to defend their communities from attack, primarily by Indians. This was the colonial militia. Minutemen came into being in the wake of the crisis in Boston, in 1774. Essentially, they were a reorganized militia, rid of any vestiges of loyalty to the crown, and trained, far more extensively than they had been previously, so that they could "turn out" at a minute's notice.
The American soldiers were known as the Continental Army even though they were not trained as an army. They were mainly militia and minutemen. They were also known as "Patriots", "Rebels" and they were also known as "Yankees". The word Yankee was devired from the Dutch. Cheese was a staple of the Dutch diet, and the British used to put the Dutch down saying, "Look it's John Cheese". The Dutch used to throw this insult back at the British - John = Jahn, Cheese = Kees. Hence "Jahnkees" or Yankees was born.
Militia existed in the colonies long before the American Revolution. With the exception of Pennsylvania, colonies required most able-bodied men to own weapons, to be willing to be called for periodic training, and to defend their communities from attack, primarily by Indians. This was the colonial militia. Minutemen came into being in the wake of the crisis in Boston, in 1774. Essentially, they were a reorganized militia, rid of any vestiges of loyalty to the crown, and trained, far more extensively than they had been previously, so that they could "turn out" at a minute's notice.
British soldiers were also called lobsterbacks because of their red uniforms. Some patriots were known as minutemen because of how quickly the could prepare for battle.
The Battles of Lexington and Concord themselves were won by the British troops who marched out of Boston in 1775 to take weapons that were being stockpiled by colonists of Massachussetts that were seeking independence. That said however, the sporadic fighting however after the battles themselves caused the British forces serious casualties. Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord the Massachussetts Colonial Militia also known as Minutemen who had lost those battles attacked the British on their return march to Boston from Lexington and Concord. These attacks were American Indian style attacks where the Minutemen were camoflagued as they attacked and the British could not see them to fight back. In the end of the Lexington and Concord engagements there were some approximately 50 Minutemen casualties of dead and wounded troops while there were some 300 British casualties of dead and wounded upon their return to Boston.
In the Revolutionary War period of America, those patriots who committed to being prepared to fight the British at any time were ordinary citizens throughout the nation, some with military experience but most without. Known as "minutemen" because of their intent to respond quickly when called, these militia troops demonstrated courageously throughout the war, although were called upon less and less as the war progressed and a professional force came into play on the American side.
Members of the Society of Friends were also known as Quakers.
Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott were some of the most famous Revolutionary War figures who volunteered to be Minutemen. Their bravery is well known and recognized to this day.
Which state militia? The Militia Act of 1903 defined two types of militia - the Organised Militia, and the Unorganised Militia. The Organised Militia was defined, essentially, as the National Guard. In wartime, federal control trumps state control of these troops, and state governors have no ability anymore to refuse deployment of their National Guard personnel. Some states have their own state militias, as well, known as State Guards, State Defence Forces, etc. It's generally assumed that these cannot be federalised, although something of a grey area exists here insofar as implementation of the Insurrection Act goes. Additionally, membership in one of these units does not exempt persons in them from being drafted into the federal military.
patrick star! jk look it up some were else silly billy!
There are several members of the Second City Chicago Alumni from 1959. Some of them include people that are well known such as Alan Arkin, Jack Burns and Barbara Harris. Some of the funny but lesser known people are Howard Alk, Del Close and Katie Rich.