As Americans celebrate Independence Day today I thought about just trolling you all with a reminder; American owes its independence to French sailors, soldiers, and ammunition. An estimated 32,000 French sailors participated in that war, as well as about 12,000 soldiers. The French sent about 50,000 of the 60s version of the Charleville musket to America before they had joined the war, and Rochambeau's army carried the model 1777 with them when they arrived. The French govern