Biting the Bullet: Dueling and Honor within the Continental Army

This thesis examines the rise of dueling within the Continental Army during the American Revolution, arguing that changing notions of class, masculinity, and honor created a military culture where dueling thrived. Drawing on case studies of duels during the war, it explores how dueling reflected tensions between traditional European ideals and emerging American values. The work contends that dueling not only shaped soldiers’ personal identities but also contributed to the professionalization of the Continental army, and deepened the divide between military and civilian society. Though the practice has long since disappeared, its influence remains embedded in modern American military culture and law.