[drpix]

"...those who took up arms agaisnt the U.S. during the period."

The British fought with mercenary armies and Indian allies - not with armed civilian Loyalists. Civilain loyalists did not flee because they had taken up arms. They fled due the Loyalist opinions they maintained & dared not express and the mistrust others had of them.

[rustbucket]

The British fought with mercenary armies and Indian allies - not with armed civilian Loyalists.

Um, yes they did. Read up on the battle of Kings Mountain sometime.