"Skirmish" is correct in its use as a preliminary to battle (as opposed to minor battle).

It's also difficult to compare early bows with the Welsh longbow - the effects were somewhat different!

Pete

God is our guide! from field, from wave, From plough, from anvil, and from loom; We come, our country's rights to save, And speak a tyrant faction's doom: We raise the watch-word liberty; We will, we will,we will be free!