In the late 18th Century the British army was made up of regiments who did their own recruiting. The recruiting sergeants would go around the towns of the area getting lads to join by persuasion, trickery. By the time of the American Revolutionary War, pressing was made legal, it already was for the navy. One way of pressing was to arrest men for being drunk. Others were on release from prison. They weren't exactly glad to be so far from home fighting against folks who fighting gladly for their own home. When you you reenact your battles and celebrate Independence think of the poor redcoat lads who had none.
In the late 18th Century the British army was made up of regiments who did their own recruiting. The recruiting sergeants would go around the towns of the area getting lads to join by persuasion, trickery. By the time of the American Revolutionary War, pressing was made legal, it already was for the navy. One way of pressing was to arrest men for being drunk. Others were on release from prison. They weren't exactly glad to be so far from home fighting against folks who fighting gladly for their own home. When you you reenact your battles and celebrate Independence think of the poor redcoat lads who had none.