Lightning Strikes, Desertions, and Three-Year Enlistments

The challenges faced by Continental forces during the Revolution extended far beyond the battlefield. Recruitment was a constant struggle, with many soldiers deserting or opting for more profitable privateering roles. Meanwhile, Congress fought to fund a navy that could compete with Britain's overwhelming fleet. In response, leaders like Robert Morris and John Paul Jones embraced bold strategies, raiding British colonies and targeting the transatlantic slave trade. In the middle of this chaos, Marines rose to the occasion.Mastering naval combat and boarding actions aboard the Ranger and Randolph, they stopped mutinies, resolved supply shortages, and stabilized leadership. As the conflict intensified, the Marines would continue to prove themselves, playing a key role in the next phase of the Revolution.