When the United States became independent, was it really Hicks who beat the British regular army?

You can say yes or no, but it also reflects the uneven quality of the North American army.

On the eve of the War of Independence, the population of thirteen colonies in North America was less than 2.5 million, of which about 20% were loyalists and 20% were slaves. It is estimated that about 300,000 young and middle-aged men were fit for military service at that time. There is no navy, only a group of militiamen scattered all over the country. American militia originated from the Anglo-Saxon militia tradition, and the earliest legal trace can be traced back to the Arms Act of King Henry II (1133-1189), which authorized the king to recruit militia with their own weapons from adult men to defend the kingdom.

1606, three small merchant ships of London Virginia Company sailed for the New World. There are no professional soldiers on board. Immigrants know the threats they will face in the future and that their survival depends largely on their ability to defend themselves. All three ships were equipped with weapons, and 100 immigrants were equipped with many spears, swords, matchropes and cannons.

In the stage of colonial development, North American militia was organized and armed in constant skirmishes with Indians. The remote and scattered settlements could not count on the military assistance and protection of the British Empire, and the colonial militia ensured the survival of the early colonies.

1636 12 13, Massachusetts colonial congress authorized the establishment of the first militia groups in North America. The 1500 militia from15 town was organized into three regiments by region. Each regiment was commanded by a colonel, and paid full-time professional instructors were responsible for maintaining the daily operation of the troops. Organized three regiments.

Militiamen in thirteen colonies in North America are basically compulsory military service. The militia were equipped with their own weapons. Militia was managed by the colonial parliament rather than the governor, and most officers were elected by militia. The quality of militia varies from place to place.