Infantry unsupported by cannon usually lost if the enemy had cannon. American Militia units were known for not standing up against British units with cannon support, since they rarely had any of their own. The Muzzleloading cannon used were smoothbores, and smaller than used in later wars. Larger guns of 12 pounds were sometimes used in the field, and even larger guns were mounted in fortifications and ships. The cannon fired either solid ball, various small shot, or sometimes shells.
Shells are a hollow iron ball filled with blackpowder and fitted with a fuse.
The shot used could be buckshot, musket balls or grape shot, which are larger iron or lead balls about 1 inch in diameter. Cannon had a range of several hundred yards. A 3 pounder ranged about 800 yards with solid shot, and 2 hundred yards with grape shot, maximum. At close range, loaded with shot, it could destroy an enemy company. It is a myth that the Americans won by using cover, while the dumb British stood in the open in ranks to be shot by the hidden Americans.