I know III%ers like the romantic idea that such a small number fought in the war, but more...thorough...estimates reckon that about 225k Americans fought in the Revolution. There were about 2 million non-slave colonists at that time. Women and children obviously couldn’t fight, so we have to subtract them. So that’s 1 million males available, then subtract 35% to eliminate small children and elderly people and you get 650k able bodies.
So...just about almost half of everyone who could took up arms and fought. Not a majority, but a sizable chunk. Personally I find that even more inspiring.
I know III%ers like the romantic idea that such a small number fought in the war, but more...thorough...estimates reckon that about 225k Americans fought in the Revolution. There were about 2 million non-slave colonists at that time. Women and children obviously couldn’t fight, so we have to subtract them. So that’s 1 million males available, then subtract 35% to eliminate small children and elderly people and you get 650k able bodies.
So...just about almost half of everyone who could took up arms and fought. Not a majority, but a sizable chunk. Personally I find that even more inspiring.