Actually,
I read an account of Ben Franklin,i believe,recommended,that Revolutionary troops be issued longbows,durring the war.He and others figured,it would have givein our troops the advantage.It was denied,due to it being a "Primitive" weapon.Firearms of that day,were very dangerous and unreliable,not to mention slow.In fact early explorers and settlers,were at a huge dissadvantage against Native archers,untill the advent of the revolver and repeater.
