Shirtmen

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Shirtmen

SHIRTMEN. A term for American riflemen, it appears to have been coined by the British and applied originally to the Virginia riflemen. In his entry of 20 July 1775, Thacher speaks of the arrival of Pennsylvania and Maryland riflemen in the Boston lines: "They are dressed in white frocks, or rifle-shirts, and round hats."

SEE ALSO Great Bridge, Virginia; Riflemen.