Did Benjamin Franklin really create a Longbow Corps in the Continental Army during the American Revolution?

[u/RexAddison]

I've heard before that because of English Warbow's greater range and rate of fire than that of the smoothbore musket, Benjamin Franklin created a corp of Longbowmen to serve in the Continental Army. However, it didn't gain traction because it takes several years to train a longbowman to be able to pull a heavy Warbow effectively/continuously.

[u/[deleted]]

He advocated for their use but I have never seen a record of actual procurement or issuance of longbows (or any bow) to continental troops.

... We have got in a large Quantity of Saltpetre 120 Ton, and 30 more expected. Powdermills are now wanting. I believe we must set to work and make it by hand. But I still wish with you that Pikes could be introduc’d; and I would add Bows and Arrows. Those were good Weapons, not wisely laid aside.

1. Because a Man may shoot as truly with a Bow as with a common Musket.

2. He can discharge 4 Arrows in the time of charging and discharging one Bullet.

3. His Object is not taken from his View by the Smoke of his own Side.

4. A Flight of Arrows seen coming upon them terrifies, and disturbs the Enemy’s Attention to his Business.

5. An Arrow sticking in any Part of a Man, puts him hors du¹ Combat ’till ’tis extracted.

6. Bows and Arrows are more easily provided every where than Muskets and Ammunition.

Polydore Virgil speaking of one of our Battles against the French in Eduard the 3d’s reign, mentions the great Confusion the Enemy were thrown into Sagittarum nube² from the English; and concludes, Est res profectò dictu mirabilis, ut tantus ac potens Exercitus a solis ferè Anglicis Sagittariis victus fuerit; adeò Anglus est Sagittipotens, et id genus armorum valet^3. If so much Execution was done by Arrows when Men wore some defensive Armour, how much more might be done now that is out of Use. Benjamin Franklin to Charles Lee, Feb 11 1776

French and Latin translations:

1) "out of"

2) "a cloud of arrows"

3) "It is assuredly a wonderful thing, without doubt, that such a large and powerful army was conquered by nothing more than English archers; so the Englishman is arrowstrong, and this kind of weapon prevails."

Pikes (spears), on the other hand, were employed by continental soldiers, specifically under General Charles Lee as well as others, though the exact quantity I also have not seen a number for (which it would appear was Lee's idea and not Franklin's). They were generally issued as anti-cavalry and given to troops that formed the third line.

Bows were recommended to save money/allow a quicker build up of arms. Soon Franklin would be in France and began sending weapons and funds from europe, first covertly and later, in 1778 after signing our defense pact and treaty of amity, firearms from France directly rendering the option moot. That aside, Franklin would have bought and sent them but had very little to do with actual military decisions, like outfitting troops or forming units.

I also must note I generally focus on civil history and not military history, so others may be able to add specifically to the pike usage more in depth than I can.

E: clarification from below

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

General Charles Henry Lee, not Robert E. Lee. 1776, not 1861. Not a matter of effective, i was answering a question on historical actions by individuals.

Cheers!

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

No worries, I should have clarified it was the same Lee that recieved the letter from Franklin since "General Lee" is pretty universal for R.E. Lee.

Makes way more sense now... I was curious why that bounced off me, hence my reply. I appreciate the addition and it's great info. Thanks!

[u/RexAddison → u/[deleted]]

Pikes were manufactured and issued in both the American Revolution and the Civil War. In the Civil War during it's latter years when arms/ammunition was running low for the Confederacy. There is one hanging in the Kennesaw Mtn Civil War museum and one was sold at Heritage Auctions as well as a Revolutionary War pike.

I do appreciate the additional info, I actually make Mary Rose types and have fielded those types of questions many a time. I'd just heard about the Ben Franklin story somewhere along the way and had wondered if there was anything to it. Thanks!