Sentence:  Whatever we felt about the <WSD>redcoats</WSD> , we respected them in terms of their trade , which was killing ; and I know that I , myself , was nauseated with apprehension and fear and that my hands were soaking wet where they held my gun . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  British soldier; so-called because of his red coat (especially during the American Revolution)