During the American Revolution, the term "cowboy" had a different meaning than what we typically associate with it today. It was used to describe Americans who opposed the movement for independence. One notable figure, Claudius Smith, known as the "Cow-boy of the Ramapos," was an outlaw linked with the Loyalist cause. He earned this title by stealing oxen, cattle, and horses from colonists and giving them to the British. In the same era, guerrilla bands operated in Westchester County, a region between British and American forces. These groups were composed of local farmworkers who ambushed convoys and carried out raids for both sides. Two distinct factions emerged: the "skinners," who fought for independence, and the "cowboys," who supported the British.

0:00 Intro
3:51 The Life Of A Cow Poke
16:20 The Cowboy Culture
22:27 The Four Traditions

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