Help! Kind of odd question! How did the weather affect warfare on the ground in the late 1700s?

Question

Kind of odd question but think about it, I need help. Back into the late 1700's most of Gen. George Washington's battles were fought during poor conditions, rain, snow, extrememe heat, extreme cold, and fog. How did he use this to his advantage?

Answer 1

Well, he couldn't really fight well in damp/rainy conditions, since the powder would get wet and thus not spark. The fog could be used as both a defensive and offensive weapon, since Washington could use it to cover up troop movements and such. None of it really matters, however, since the British commanders were experiencing the same conditions and would use them in the same manner.

Answer 2

Hi: My understanding is that Washington was a guerilla fighter by today's standards. The colonists were taking advantage of the weaknesses in the British strategy of warfare by choosing to fight in less than ideal conditions. The British were very structured in their battle plans and were accustomed to fighting pitched battles. They found the guerilla tactics of the colonists to be very difficult to deal with because the the colonists would hit quickly when they weren't expected, and then retreat before the British could counter-attack. If he had arrayed his forces on an open plain and fought the British on a nice sunny day, he would have been playing right into their strengths. That was the European model of battle. His way was better for his strengths.

Answer 3

There are nine principles of War.

One of these is "Surprise". Attacks made in bad weather can catch the enemy totally unprepared, and more than make up for a lack of numbers or even parity in weaponry. This is especially true in the case of muzzle loaders that wouldn't work in the rain anyway.

Proper use of the weather allows maximization of several other principles, but that's the chief one that comes to mind in Washington's case.

Answer 4

the climate in Indiana has been unusual, even nonetheless that is constantly unusual right here in March. We by no potential understand from daily what to anticipate...."In like a Lion and Out like a Lamb", is the way the asserting is going right here for March even nonetheless it rarely occurs. it ought to be 20 levels sooner or later and tomorrow it ought to be 60 levels. The fluctuation is loopy.

Answer 5

Alot of it had to do with the mobilization of armies. If the ground was muddy, it was nearly impossible to get men and artillery to the battle. He wasn't the first to use these tactics, but he is the most recognized.