There were bearded veterans of sixty and a sprinkling of lads of sixteen.
An observer laughed at the boys and the "great great grandfathers" who marched side by side in the army before Boston.

Occasionally a black face was seen in the ranks.

One of Washington's tasks was to reduce the disparity of years and especially to secure men who could shoot.

In the first enthusiasm of 1775 so many men volunteered in Virginia that a selection was made on the basis of accuracy in shooting.

The men fired at a range of one hundred and fifty yards at an outline of a man's nose in chalk on a board.