Regimental Organization in British American Revolutionary Period?

Question: Regimental Organization in British American Revolutionary Period!?

What was the organizaztion of British Regiments of Foot in American Revolutionary Period!. The part I'm confused about is the relationship between the battalion and the parent regiment!. Did the regiments have supply, artillery or other elements!? Or was the regiment disparit from the battalion only in command elements!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

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2 Battalions to a Regiment!. 1st!. Battalion stayed at home in Barracks while the 2nd!. Battalion served overseas!. Supply and Artillery were separate from the Infantry Regiment, although artillery was attached to a Regiment!. See below for a full explanation!.

At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, there were approximately 48,647 men in the regular British Army!. Of this number, 39,294 were infantrymen, 6,869 were cavalrymen, and 2,484 were artillerymen!. Within North America, only 8,580 in 18 regiments of infantry covered a distance from Newfoundland to Florida, with the overwhelming majority located in Boston!.

Cavalry was not well suited for North American service, since the lack of open terrain precluded the most advantageous cavalry tactic - the charge!. Rather, two regiments of light cavalry or dragoons were dispatched to America for scouting or patrol duties!. A regiment of cavalry usually consisted of 230 effectives divided into 6 troops!. Each trooper carried two 6 inch pistols of !.65 caliber, a short fusil or carbine, and a light sword!.

The Royal Artillery was comprised of four battalions each containing eight companies!. A company totalled 116 officers and men, of which 18 were gunners and 73 were matrosses (apprentice gunners) who carried fusils to guard the guns and wagons!. Civilians were normally hired to act as drivers!. Artillerymen wore blue regimental coats faced in red!. Each infantry regiment customarily had two 3 lb guns allotted to it, which were known as battalion guns!.Www@QuestionHome@Com