I’m not a military historian. I am working on a role playing activity to give students and interested adults a sense of the decisions that had to be made on both sides in the Battle of Rhode Island. So I am learning about military tactics. If I ask role players to make decisions about what they would do when faced with certain situations during the Battle of Rhode Island, I need to inform the players about what their choices might be. What follows is a gathering of military tactics and an attempt to define them in a way players might understand. I appreciate feedback from readers that have more military experience.

    Tactics
    1. Linear formations: Both British and American forces often fought in close-order formations, relying on mass volleys because musket fire was not very accurate.

    2. Open formations: Instead of close formation in line, skirmishers are more spread out and use the terrain to take cover.

    3. Scouts: Used ahead of the main forces to gather information and to protect the flanks (sides) and rear of the army.

    4. Fabian Strategy: General Washington employed this tactic, which involved avoiding major battles while harassing the enemy and gathering intelligence, according to the American Battlefield Trust.

    5. Guerilla Tactics:

    • A. Surprise Attack: Element of surprise used to gain an advantage. Soldiers used the American landscape to their advantage – using forests and hills ( especially stone walls and corn stalks in Portsmouth) to hide and then surprise the enemy.
    • B. Ambush: A type of surprise attack where the attackers conceal themselves and then launch a sudden attack inflicting damage before the enemy can defend themselves.
    • C. Hit-and-run attacks: Using short surprise attacks and withdrawing before the enemy can respond in force. This inflicts damage on the enemy without a full-scale battle.
    • D. Harassing Tactics: Firing from a distance, disrupting formations, tactics that delay the enemy.

    Resources: An excellent overview was created by American Battlefield Trust. The same tactics were used on both sides:
    https://youtu.be/OYljJSZTVZA?si=9q1c5_ECJ-ApVQY3



    .