Revolution · War Crimes & Atrocities
The American Revolution was a civil war as much as a war for independence — a conflict between Patriots and Loyalists who shared communities, families, and sometimes households. This character produced some of the period's most vicious violence: partisan warfare in the Southern backcountry, Loyalist and British massacres of surrendering Continental soldiers, and Patriot reprisals against Loyalist civilian populations. The treatment of Loyalists — approximately 20% of the colonial population — amounted to the largest internal displacement and property confiscation in American history before the Civil War, an 'ethnic cleansing' of political opponents conducted with legal sanction by the revolutionary states. Native American populations who allied with either side faced catastrophic consequences regardless of which side won.
113+
deaths
Victims: Continental soldiers and militia under Colonel Abraham Buford(113 killed, 150 wounded (many after surrender); 53 captured; British Legion cavalry under Tarleton)
227+
deaths
Victims: Patriot settlers and militia, Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania(227 killed in the battle and subsequent pursuit; British-allied Loyalist and Seneca forces pursued and killed soldiers and settlers who fled)
Victims: Loyalist civilian population, approximately 20% of colonists(Relatively few direct deaths; approximately 60,000–80,000 Loyalists expelled or fled; property confiscation affected 500,000+ people; some Loyalists tarred and feathered or killed by mobs)