The terms used to describe the people who fought in the American Revolutionary War were oftentimes confusing and misleading. All the European- and Native-Americans considered themselves Loyalists and Patriots. Those fighting for American Independence considered themselves both loyal and patriotic because they supported the American cause. The people fighting for the British cause also considered themselves loyal to the British King and patriotic in fighting for his cause. Because of this, it is best to call those who fought for the American cause Rebels and those who fought for the British cause Torys.

It is difficult to describe what the Rebels and Torys were fighting for. Americans enjoyed freedoms which citizens in Great Britain did not have. However, this was not enough for many Americans. In general, the Rebels were fighting for the right of self governance, and freedom from British control and its officials in America. Torys on the other hand were fighting to maintain their ties with Great Britain and the British King. There were also cases where people simply preferred to keep things the way they were, and fought to maintain the status quo.

Some people on both sides were also fighting to maintain and if possible expand their standing in the country and in their communities. These included their place in society, wealth, property and political power. However, when you move from region to region, and sometime community to community you will find many exceptions to these generalities.

It is equally important to discuss what the word savage means and how its definition has changed over the years. The word savage today often means something very different from what it means to us today. Today, we would not call Native Americans savages. However, in the 18th century, people oftentimes called Native Americans savages, not in a negative fashion, but as a way of identifying them apart from European Americans. In the extreme,  some individuals were considered noble savages. The word savage as we know it today, with all of its negative connotations, was also applied to Native Americans as well as to European Americans depending on the circumstance. As you read through the contemporary writings you will see the word savage used, sometimes in a positive manner and sometimes in a negative manner. In order to not alter or revise the original intent of the writings, the word savage has not been edited out of these quotes, but left in to keep the quote whole, so that the student will be better able to understand how people felt in New York during 1777. It would be much like striking out the word savage from the Declaration of Independence.