impressed

Throughout the American Revolutionary War, after the losses at the Battle of Saratoga and the impending hostilities with France, the current voluntary enlistment measures had been judged to be insufficient. Amongst 1775 and 1781, the standard army improved from 48,000 to 110,000. Two acts were passed, the Recruiting Act 1778 and the Recruiting Act 1779, for the impression of men and women into the British Army. The chief positive aspects of these acts was in the number of volunteers brought in under the apprehension of impressment. The free service caters for any Portsmouth resident wanting to quit and helps them...