<P> In the middle of the eighteenth century , the Army 's uniforms were highly elaborate , and manoeuvres were ponderous and slow , with `` innumerable words of command . '' Experience of the conditions and terrain in North America during the French and Indian War prompted changes to its tactics and dress . In battle the redcoats usually formed in two ranks rather than three , to increase mobility and firepower . The Army further adapted this formation during the American Revolution by forming and fighting in looser ranks , a tactic that was known as `` loose files and American scramble '' . Soldiers stood at a greater distance apart and three ' orders ' were used to specify the distance to be expanded or contracted as necessary ; `` order '' ( two intervals ) , `` open order '' ( four intervals ) , and `` extended order '' ( ten intervals ) . British infantry advanced at the ' trott ' and fought fluid battles primarily using the bayonet . Although this new formation increased the British army 's mobility and tactical flexibility , the abandonment of linear formation was later blamed by some British officers for defeats in the later stages of the war like the Battle of Cowpens , in which British troops engaged denser bodies of men deployed in successive lines . </P>
<P> In the middle of the eighteenth century , the Army 's uniforms were highly elaborate , and manoeuvres were ponderous and slow , with `` innumerable words of command . '' Experience of the conditions and terrain in North America during the French and Indian War prompted changes to its tactics and dress . In battle the redcoats usually formed in two ranks rather than three , to increase mobility and firepower . The Army further adapted this formation during the American Revolution by forming and fighting in looser ranks , a tactic that was known as `` loose files and American scramble '' . Soldiers stood at a greater distance apart and three ' orders ' were used to specify the distance to be expanded or contracted as necessary ; `` order '' ( two intervals ) , `` open order '' ( four intervals ) , and `` extended order '' ( ten intervals ) . British infantry advanced at the ' trott ' and fought fluid battles primarily using the bayonet . Although this new formation increased the British army 's mobility and tactical flexibility , the abandonment of linear formation was later blamed by some British officers for defeats in the later stages of the war like the Battle of Cowpens , in which British troops engaged denser bodies of men deployed in successive lines . </P>
name for british soldiers during the revolutionary war
name for british soldiers during the revolutionary war
redcoats
redcoats