On Wed, 15 Aug 2001 23:04:26 EDT, [log in to unmask] wrote:

>To the roster of "Virginia" units fighting in the South might be added Col.
>William Washington's dragoons and Harry Lee's Legion which were filled out
by
>regulars from other states as well as Virgininians - Lee in particular with
>Delaware Continentals. Neither were at Charleston.
>
>The fall of Charleston was arguably the greatest military disaster suffered
>by the Americans during the war. Not only were both the Virginia and North
>Carolina Continental Lines eliminated as organizations, growing anti-war
>sentiment in England was blunted by the news of this major British victory.
>It is interesting that it was the much maligned militia the filled much of
>the gap and consumed so much of Cornwallis' valuable effort, men, supplies,
>and time. (Along with a collection of "regular" Continental troops
including
>the under appreciated Maryland Continentals.)
>
>Bill Russell
>
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Let me try to clarify.....

I responded to Bill's assertion that "It is interesting that it was the
much maligned militia the filled much of the gap and consumed so much of
Cornwallis' valuable effort, men, supplies, and time. (Along with a
collection of "regular" Continental troops including the under appreciated
Maryland Continentals.)"

This implies that the Continentals were merely helping the militia and not
the other way around.  If this is not your position, then perhaps this
accounts for the difference of opin we now have.  Nevertheless, without
basing opinions on citations, evidence, etc. instead of mere opinion,
clear, meaningful answers to these historical questions will not be
produced.

JM

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