ABSTRACT
American military commanders had the distinct advantage over their opponents of being able to avoid urban areas. It was enough of a challenge to exact discipline at campsites or on the march than to have to confront problems that result from soldiers stationed among civihans. Washington had to worry about his troops in urban environs only when the American army briefly occupied New York City in 1776. In the South, Continental and mihtia units were always afield, with the exception of troop concentration in Charleston during the British siege. British commanders faced a different predicament, having the bulk of their military forces occupying cities during long periods of the war. A nine-month sojourn in Philadelphia sapped the military readiness of Howe and Clinton's army.
