Final answer:
The sentence means that capturing the colonists would be a significant setback for their cause.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentence means that capturing the colonists would be a significant setback for their cause.
During the American Revolution, the colonists were fighting for independence from British rule. If the British were able to capture the colonists, it would have been a major blow to their cause, as it would weaken the resistance and potentially demoralize the rest of the colonists.
For example, if the British were able to capture prominent leaders or strategic locations, it could disrupt the colonists' ability to organize and continue their fight for independence.