Pulaski's Independent Legion. Pierce's Certificates. Most of Whitcomb's men came from New Hampshire and the Hampshire Grants (now Vermont). During the afternoon the forces under General John Sullivan fought with the enemy for almost two hours near Birmingham Meeting House. New Hampshire, You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Begin Main Content Area Bedford County Revolutionary War Militia. As with all his previous battles, he was on his own with this fight. Another form of line service was with theCorps of Invalids. As his situation grew more desperate with each passing day, Watson finally decided to retreat. South Carolina and Georgia each raised mounted ranger units in 1775-1776, but when they became part of the Continental Army during the summer of 1776 they transformed into mounted infantry. Soon, the British regiment marched into view. Harmar would remain in this position until 1780. For the rotation of field officers on active duty, it was therefore necessary to substitute Colonel for Captain, Lieutenant Colonel for 1st Lieutenant, Major for 2nd Lieutenant, etc in the column under each Battalion for Company. Thus, the Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion, being the first unit formed by the state, became the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment, The 1st Pennsylvania Battalion became the nucleus of the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment and so on. September 11, 1777 The Battle of Brandywine. Northampton County Revolutionary War Militia 1st Battalion, 1777 Commanding Officers: Col. George Hubner; 4th Battalion, 1780 Commanding Officers: Lt. Col. Philip Beehm (Boehm) Keystone State. These groups assisted state-controlled - yet still temporary - militias. Corps of Invalids. In enrollment, it probably never numbered as many as one thousand men. During the summer, the 11th Pennsylvania was assigned to the 2d Brigade of Anthony Wayne's division. . Under the provisions of the Militia Act, each individual summmoned had the right to file an appeal asking that their service be delayed and some successfuly avoided service by repeatedly filing appeals. Pleased with James deployment, Marion reinforced him with an additional company and moved to a reserve position to the rear and out of sight. Source:Egle, William Henry, 1898. Deleting this Virtual Cemetery cannot be undone. In their place came a complex system of county battalion classes and officers whose seniority was chosen by the drawing of lots. Associators patterned essentially upon groups which had existed briefly in 1747-1748 and again after Braddock's defeat in 1755. The 1st Pennsylvania was considered an elite unit and was given the post of honor on the right of the line. December 26, 1776 The Battle of Trenton. They required six-month enlistments. These active duty rolls could be distinguished from the permanent billet rolls by the fact that instead of being listed by individual classes as they were in the permanent rolls, the names of the men were here listed under the name of the company captain. Leaving his dead in an abandoned rock quarry and loading his wounded on wagons, Watson and his crack regiment began their withdrawal at the double-time on 28 March toward Georgetown. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth. Brinkerhoff, Jacob; ensign, Captain Williams' company, Colonel Michael Swope's battalion of the flying camp; in service, 1776. U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900. Other than the regiments and separate companies of riflemen from Pennsylvania and the states to the south, who really functioned as light infantry rather than rangers, the Continental Army only formed two functional ranger units. During the battle, Colonel Miles, Atlee and Lt. Following the reduction of the Pennsylvania Line in the winter of 1780-81 the unit was redesignated "the detachment of the Pennsylvania Line", and consisted of two companies. The Regiment was authorized on January 4, 1776 in the Continental Army as the 6th Pennsylvania Battalion. Remainder of Regiment reorganized and re-designated on January 1, 1777 as the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment, an element of the, Relieved on July 18, 1778 from the 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade and assigned to the, New York Brigade relieved on May 24, 1779 from the, Relieved on August 24, 1779 from the New York Brigade and assigned to Hand's Brigade, an element of the, Relieved on August 1, 1780 from Hand's Brigade and assigned to 1st Pennsylvania Brigade, an element of the. Learn more. Soldiers who served during the years 1777-1780, when the currency was depreciating, were paid inContinental bills of Credit, which quickly lost value. Pennsylvania, An attack against Morgan and his crack shots by a British force of 1,100 men would result in a brilliant double envelopment that has been called by historians the American Cannae. The British defeat was total with over 110 soldiers killed and 830 captured. Shortly afterward, the Regiment helped delay Cornwallis before the Battle of Princeton. The Pennsylvanians assigned to the fort, mostly from the Musket Battalion, are among those captured. On September 20, the 7th Pennsylvania bore the brunt of the British assault at Paoli where half of the men present were either killed or wounded. The company commanders could also change. Realizing that he needed to clear the far bank first before his soldiers could safely enter the defile to cross the bridge, Watson emplaced his cannon. In the original concept rangers were full-time soldiers employed by the colonial governments to "range" between fixed frontier fortifications as a reconnaissance system to provide early warning of hostile raids. Perry County, Light infantry companies added to the regimental organization of each Continental Army infantry regiment in 1778 also had European roots. Volume Reel 0821 American Revolutionary War Service Records; Soldiers--United States--Registers Pennsylvania, Sixth Battalion (1776) Sixth Regiment: L - Z. Supporting Army Rangers past, present, and future-RLTW. RevWar Progressive Black regimental hats are bound up in yellow.Records of deserters in 1777-78 show however, men clad in various color regimental coats and hunting shirts. It also provided an avenue for conscientious objectors to fulfill their legal obligation to the state without compromising their religious convictions. Immortalized in song and story, Francis Marion became a hero of the Revolution second only to the commander-in-chief and first President of the United States, George Washington. Stephanie Hoover 2017 - All Rights Reserved, Directory of Pennsylvania Genealogical & Historical Societies, Pennsylvania Research Reference Materials. The names of men in each company of each battalion were listed on a roll called "General Returns of the Battalion" together with the names of any substitutes that were provided. General financial confusion and the collapse of wartime currencies made prompt payment impossible, but eventually, under an act of April 1, 1784, Pennsylvania compensated such payment for their active service and settled accounts with certain other public creditors by passing to them interesting bearing The Regiment was authorized on December 9, 1775 in the Continental Army as the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion. There they remained until the 6th Pennsylvania was mustered out on March 15, 1777. The 7th Pennsylvania marched with Brig. Originally, the 6th Pennsylvania Battalion, the 7th Pennsylvania was authorized on January 4, 1776. Gen. Thomas Mifflin. Relieved on August 31, 1776 from Stirling's Brigade and assigned to Mifflin's Brigade, an element of the. The only unit capable, Lees Legion, had been recalled to the north to support Greene. It was organized during the spring of 1777 to consist of eight companies of volunteers from Westmoreland, Lancaster, Chester, Philadelphia and Cumberland counties of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Please enter your email and password to sign in. In the spring of 1777, the Regiment was assigned to Brig. Powder Horns. Membership in the Associators differed greatly from membership the militia, for, technically, enrollment in the Associators was voluntary, while membership in the militia was strictly compulsory with the obligation legally defined. Or were they Associators? In offensive operations they became scouts and guides, locating targets (such as villages) for task forces drawn from the militia or other colonial troops. Consolidated and reorganized on July 1, 1778 with the. The military unit may also be identified by searching the collection "United States, Revolutionary War Compiled Service Records, 1775-1783" Index provided by Fold3.com and FamilySearch. USA. Pennsylvania Revolutionary Soldiers The following names are not included in the regular muster rolls. Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872 from NARA microfilm publication T718. Organized between March 13- May 29, 1776 at Chester to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia City and Bucks, Philadelphia, Chester and Lancaster Counties. Thousands of militiamen returned from tours of active duty unpaid, bearing only a slip signed by a commanding officer. The Pennsylvania Line originated in 1775 was organized into thirteen regiments and several independent companies. June 10, 1777 The transfer of the Pennsylvania State Regiment to the Continental service is formalized. Recipe Book - 1705. Pennsylvania, It remained in the Western Department till the end of the war. As Thompson's Rifle Battalion, the regiment participated in the siege of Boston. March 5, 1776 The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passes a resolution to establish: The Pennsylvania State Rifle Regiment, know as Miles's Regiment, was to consist of two battalions of six companies of seventy-eight enlisted men, armed with rifles: The State Battalion of Musketry, known as Atless's Battalion, was to consist of eight companies of fifty-eight enlisted men, armed with muskets. List of 10,000 Revolutionary Soldiers 1775-1783. Originally fielded by the French to counter Austrian irregulars recruited in the Balkans, they filled a unique niche by providing deep security around an army in the field or carried out raids behind enemy lines. These sharpshooters were proving to be so successful that Watson felt compelled by noon to redeploy his regiment to a large open field about a half-mile away. Pennsylvania Archives volumes and not directly from original archival records. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Redesignated on September 16, 1776 as the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment. On November 3, 1783, after a distinguished career, the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment was officially mustered out in Philadelphia, then capital of the United States of America. With his cavalry defeated, Watson advanced his guards. Many of the men who served in 1776 reenlisted and to these were added new recruits to fill out the regiment. During the winter of 1776-1777 the Association collapsed, and the Assembly replaced it with a militia system which, though imperfect, proved better adapted to Pennsylvania's needs. 1st United States President, Revolutionary War Mount Vernon, Only Elisha Sheldon's 2d Legionary Corps (a Connecticut unit serving in 1781 in the West Point-Westchester County zone) fully exploited the possibilities of the combined arms structure. November 12, 1777 The Pennsylvania State Regiment is officially designated the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line. A counter charge of the remainder of Marions cavalry pushed the dragoons back across the land bridge. Here the regiment shared the sufferings of the Continental Line, trained in Von Steuben's new manual of arms and brought itself up to strength. Miscellaneous private papers relating to the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, Philippine Insurrection, World War I, the Pennsylvania National Guard, and peacetime military service. When General Washington asked for the middle Atlantic states to provide additional reinforcements willing to serve for six months duty in 1776, the Associator units were tapped as a manpower pool, though the individual units did not themselves become part of the Pennsylvania Line forces. Under the Militia Act of 1777, the numbering of the militia units changed every three years though the composition of each unit recruited from a given area tended to remain more or less the same except for casualties and new recruits. Were your ancestors part of the Pennsylvania Line? The regiment was officially disbanded in January, 1783, although in reality, no regiment had existed since 1781. In 1780, the 7th Pennsylvania was part of a force which defended against a Hessian attack on New Bridge, New Jersey on April 16, 1780 and then at Paramus. With his men in a panic and the number of wounded and suffering growing, Watson shelved his pride and addressed a letter to Marion not only requesting permission to send seven of his most seriously wounded through the lines but once again alluding to the fact that Watson believed Marion was conducting himself in a manner contrary to civilized war. Hiding in his lair on Peyres Plantation or Snows Island by day and stealthily emerging at night to strike around midnight, Marion and his men would wreak havoc on British units from White Marsh to Black Mingo before fading once again into the morasses of the Santee or Peedee Rivers. Realizing that he had done enough and that his men would not be able to stand in the open ground against such a disciplined and highly trained force, Marion had his men remount and follow him, leaving the field of battle to Watson. Colonel Stewart called his regiment the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Regiment in his weekly return of October 27, and it was so designated and officially added to the Continental Line by a resolution of the Continental Congress dated November 12, 1777. Pennsylvania Line Regiments and other Pennsylvania Units. The Pennsylvania Line: Regimental Organization and Operations, 1776-1783 by John B.B. This time, the question of military service was no longer optional. Organized in spring 1777 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia City and Berks, Chester, Philadelphia and Northumberland Counties. Organized between October 25- November 26, 1775 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia, Philadelphia City, Northampton, Berks and Bucks Counties. It was the last regiment to leave Long Island. If you have Pennsylvania ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War, you may be confused by the varying names for forms of service. Col. Henry Bicker was appointed in his place but did not actually join the regiment until the following October. In fact over the period of several years the 3d South Carolina Regiment gradually evolved into a line infantry regiment. Only in a few instances did her armed vessels pass beyond the Capes of the Delaware into the Atlantic. Contrary to common belief, none of the lands granted to veterans by the federal government were located in Pennsylvania. These concerns were overcome and the regiment joined the army later in the month. Most of the regiment's men were recruited from Berks and Chester counties, although many came from Philadelphia and as far away as Northumberland County. Pennsylvania Long Rifles. PHMC. Depreciation Pay Certificates, which were both interest bearing and negotiable, like bonds of the present day. By the end of that year, Pennsylvania had adopted a new more radical constitution that wrested control from the older conservative Assembly and in early 1777 the new Assembly passed Pennsylvania's first militia law requiring compulsory military service. Furloughed on June 11, 1783 at Philadelphia (less 2 companies remaining active at Fort Pitt). Curtailing his attempt to clear the far side first, Watson formed his men in column and ordered the first column forward with its captain out front. Congress passed the first national conscription act in the country's history. The "Act to Regulate the Militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" passed 17 March 1777, and the the subsequent Militia Act passed March 20, 1780, together with their amendments, required all white men between the ages of 18 and 53 capable of bearing arms to serve two months of militia duty on a rotating basis. USA, Winfield, During this assault one regiment, possibly the 6th Pennsylvania attacked the pickets at Mount Airy. Armand's remained a shell during 1781, but Lee had great success in the Carolinas carrying out those specific missions for which the 3-3 mix of mounted and dismounted troops had been designed. November 30, 2006 by Trevor. Trussell, Jr. (Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1977). An online listing of officers in the The mutiny failed and resulted in many of the soldiers receiving their discharges. As a result of declining numbers, the Pennsylvania Regiments were reorganized into three provisional battalions. The four regiments of light dragoons raised in 1777 as a reconnaissance force derived from European developments in light cavalry during the eighteenth century. March 1, 1777 The Pennsylvania State Regiment is officially activated as a unit. November 16, 1776 - Formerly known as the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion the entire unit was captured at Fort Washington, New York. The 11th Pennsylvania's total losses during the whole campaign were substantial, for by November 1, 1777, it had present for duty only eight officers and eighty enlisted men. Colonel Piper are captured. The regiment participated in the unsuccessful defense of New York City and was captured in part at Fort Washington (16 Nov., 1776). When one considers those parameters, there truly was only one group of American revolutionaries who could be considered an excellent example of early American Ranger prowess. On the brink of war, the Continental Congress passed a resolution on 14 June 1775, on what is known as Flag Day, that "six companies of expert riflemen be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia." Also important to understand is that the 1777 Militia Act automatically expired in 1780 and was immediately replaced by a new Militia Act that also lasted for three years and was superceded by a third Militia Act in 1783. Inspite of the the heavy loss of life at Paoli the Regiment fought on October 4, 1777 at Germantown. For example, what had been Colonel White's 1st York County Battalion continued to be made up of the same men, but could now be designated as perhaps Colonel Black's 7th York County Battalion. December 19, 1777 - After an encampment of almost six weeks at Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania the army moved into its winter quarters at Valley Forge where they would remain for the next six months. The Regiment was authorized on September 16, 1776 in the Continental Army as the 10th Pennsylvania Regiment. These two needs determined the form and six of her armed vessels and the character of their operations. (It should be noted, however, that a person serving as a substitute for someone else was not thereby excused from also serving in their own turn.) But the bluff was too high and the artillery canister just passed overhead of the defenders on the east bank when fired. Navy veterans were not eligible for grants of Donation Land. Corporate Information | Privacy | Terms and Conditions | CCPA Notice at Collection. Queens Loyal Rangers. Each partisan unit in the Continental Army, however, had a unique organizational structure. The men of the regiment refused at first to join the mutineers, but were finally forced to when the other troops threatened them at bayonet point and with artillery. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Springfield. Much of the information provided below was extracted by former archivist Henry James Young, and also possibly by archivist Marvin Schlegel, during the 1940s and 1950s from published entries in the various series of the Like the Associators, they were volunteers. Both Watson and Marion rode out to face each other across a quarter-mile causeway spanning the mire and marsh of the swamp. Later that evening, one of Marions scouts reconnoitered the camp and rode off to warn his brigadier. Concurrent with the establishment of county militias was the creation of five companies of Rangers. 23, No. There is a problem with your email/password. The 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment had its origins in a unit established on October 12, 1775, and designated "The First Pennsylvania Battalion." In addition, he sent a pass for the safe passage of the wounded and their attendants. Two lieutenants were mortally wounded here and a number of men killed. [2] The only time Pennsylvania seems to have had any sort of basic militia prior to the draft is during the winter months of 1776 into 1777. Watsons Buffs were considered to be one of the finest regiments in the British army. Avoiding militia calls was not difficult. The regiment was authorized in December, 1775 as the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion. The light infantry companies continued under their existing practice of forming provisional battalions for each campaign season. Choosing escape, Watson abruptly wheeled his Regiment to the right and proceeded to move at a quick pace across fifteen miles of marsh and pine lands to the Santee Road. Militias were paid out of Pennsylvania's then-functioning provincial treasury. The Regiment was authorized on June 14, 1775 in the Continental Army as 6 separate companies of Pennsylvania Riflemen and assigned to the Main Army. 302-324. return to scholars showcase. 3, 1964): 161-230 was well as the historical background section below. The original commander, Col. John Bull, got into trouble selling furloughs to the men "and other degrading conduct" and was compelled by the other officers to resign. 1 . The 6th Pennsylvania was then posted there for the next three months and was involved in several brushes with the British. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872 from NARA microfilm publication T718. Baffled about what to do next, Watson waited on the bluff until evening, when he withdrew to a plantation a mile north of the bridge. The four regiments of light dragoons transformed into combined arms Legionary Corps composed of four mounted and two dismounted troops; the various partisan elements consolidated into two Partisan Corps, each with three mounted and three dismounted troops. Revolutionary War Re-Enactors. . Tabulated company returns were periodically compiled from the muster rolls and from these the adjutants for each battalion compiled battalion returns that were then tabulated by the muster master general of the brigade and submitted to the brigadier general in the form of a general return (not to be confused with the Battalion General Return mentioned above). The 1st Continentals also participated in the battles at Fort Washington, Harlem Heights, and White Plains. At Morristown, during the winter of 1780-81, the 7th Pennsylvania was involved in a mutiny with other Pennsylvania Regiments after which the unit was disbanded. The distance from bank to bank was the perfect sharpshooter distance, fifty yards. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. American Revolutionary War Due to the sixty-day turnover, however, none of the men who were at Brandywine in September would have been present at Whitemarsh in December. Revolutionary War Records Overview The Military Association, 1775-1777 At the beginning of 1775, Pennsylvania, founded under Quaker auspices, differed from other American colonies in being totally devoid of military organization. About; Leadership; Public Information; Contact; Join; . John Nelson's Independent Rifle Company and assigned to the. The men in each battalion elected their own field officers who carried the rank of colonel, lieutenant colonel and major and these officers were then commissioned by the state and expected to serve for three years. Brief History of the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment of 1777. It halted the British attack but was itself compelled to retire under subsequent artillery fire. At the Battle of Monmouth, on June 28, 1778, it was one of the three Pennsylvania regiments in the force which Aaron Burr led in a late-afternoon assault on the flank of a British counterattacking column. The traditional ranger usage reached its peak during the French and Indian War. who served in the war of the American Revolution, 1775-1783 John Doyle's Independent Rifle Company. With France entering the conflict on the side of the new United States in May, the British abandoned Philadelphia and moved across New Jersey to the more easily defended stronghold of New York City. The whole force retreated to Isle Aux Noix and then to Crown Point, reached on July 1. "Light Horse Harry" Lee of Virginia (the father of Robert E. Lee) raised the only American-born unit under this concept. The financial difficulties of the new government, difficulties that lasted into the 1790's, complicated the payment of troops. These nine companies were to form a battalion to be commanded by Col. William Thompson of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. L.G. Union County, The regiment would see action during the New York Campaign, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Sullivan Expedition. On June 10, 1777, the Pennsylvania Assembly, following the advice of the Supreme Executive Council of the state, transferred the state regiment to Continental service. Filename: Description: Date: Submitter: Revolutionary War: 1bat1782.txt : Rev War: 1782 - First Battalion, Washington County: May 1998: m. Burns: Frontier Rangers/Militia For the 2nd Class, the colonel of the 2nd Battalion, lieutenant colonel of the First Battalion, and major of the 4th Battalion entered service in command of the 2nd Class active-duty battalion.