Although there had been no concerted attempt to do so, the men were dressed in a surprisingly similar fashion, with the dominant feature of their clothing being long-sleeved shirts that came down almost to their knees, usually worn outside whatever trousers were underneath. Later, both the British and regular Continental troops would come to call them Shirtmen. When they were not barefoot they wore Indian-style moccasins, mostly for warmth during the colder months. They had broad sashes or leather belts around their waists, inside of which they carried either a knife or a tomahawk, and a powder horn and a roomy pouch were slung over their shoulders to hold parched corn or other food, plus spare flints, bullets, patches and grease, and sometimes a bullet mold. Blanket rolls and other supplies were carried on their horses, which were always kept close at hand. As was the custom of those who lived in relative isolation, most were armed with the long rifles they used for hunting or protecting their families and property. Others, who lived in settlements, had brought various kinds of guns, including smoothbore muskets or shotguns.

Hoping to redeem themselves, the two men with British army experience demonstrated their muskets, and their ability to attach bayonets to the barrels. The men could see that this was a formidable weapon at close range against an enemy struggling to reload weapons, but most of them had never had a use for bayonets and still believed that their long rifles gave them adequate protection and hunting skills.

The group spent two days together, first in general discussions of weapons and in target practice, and finally the two platoons actually maneuvered against one another. Before returning to their homes, Clarke assembled the men for a final summary of what they had learned.

“Y’all can see that we ain’t much of a company of fightin’ men. If the barrels ain’t wore out to smoothbores, most of you riflemen can hit what you’re aimin’ at up to two hundred paces or so, which is farther than we’re apt to see anything in the woods where we’ll be fightin’. The muskets ain’t very accurate beyond sixty yards, but they’re lighter and shorter, and the rifles take a lot more time to reload, maybe a full minute. An enemy can be on us in this time, with a bayonet in our guts. The best thing I’ve seen is our guns shootin’ at different times, so anyone comin’ in on us is always facin’ a bullet. We’ll have to use whatever we have for now, but we’ll improve over time. I’ve seen the need for a bayonet, and I want all of us to have one. When you get home, you might whittle and grind down the handle of a good butcher knife, so it will fit in or around your gun barrel, to use if someone comes on you right after you shoot.”