pennsylvania rangers revolutionary war

For purposes of administration and drill, Congress passed the first national conscription act in the country's history. The Regiment then marched to Tappan to bolster the Garrison at Ticonderoga after Arnold's defection. The Regiment was authorized on December 9, 1775 in the Continental Army as the 4th Pennsylvania Battalion. Various state governments did employ such units for local frontier security, but the Continental Army formed very few, in part because George Washington considered frontier security to be a local responsibility and focused national military forces on opposing regular British and German units in a formal battlefield context. 14 cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. The regiment never recruited the Indian component, and changes in British operations led to the transformation of the white elements into normal infantry. 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. Concurrent with the establishment of county militias was the creation of five companies of Rangers. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. The enlisted men were held by the British until December 26, 1776 when they were set free on parole and, most probably, exchanged for prisoners held by the Continental Forces. Williams led the unit in patrol actions in New Jersey during the spring and summer, including an engagement at Bound Brook on April 11 or 12 and a skirmish at Amboy on April 25 in which one officer was killed. Minute Men, on call for special duty at short notice, but no evidence of the existence of such a corps in Pennsylvania survives. The Rangers were engaged in numerous violent raids that characterized the northern frontier of the American Revolutionary War, such as the Battle of Wyoming in July 1778 and the Cherry Valley massacre of November 1778. Each partisan unit in the Continental Army, however, had a unique organizational structure. This was in spite of the fact that he "is detested by the officer's of his brigade because he makes his brigade work and personally drills and instructs it, instead of leaving it idle in camp. But the bluff was too high and the artillery canister just passed overhead of the defenders on the east bank when fired. Refusal to turn out for military exercises would result in a fine, the proceeds from which were used to hire substitutes. 11th Pennsylvania Regiment was officially authorized on October 25, 1776. The 7th Pennsylvania marched with Brig. They spent the winter at Valley Forge and fought at the battle of Monmoth on June 28, 1778. After the British attacked at Long Island, the 1st Continental Regiment covered the retreat the American army. Many members of the Pennsylvania Navy were entitled to and received Depreciation pay certificates, and, rather curiously, some were paid off with Certificates of the Funded or Militia Debt. Reorganized and re-designated 1 January 1, 1777 as the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment, to consist of 8 companies. 21 Thacher, James, Military Journal during the American Revolutionary War, pp. 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. An Official Pennsylvania Government Website. Volume Reel 0821 American Revolutionary War Service Records; Soldiers--United States--Registers Pennsylvania, Sixth Battalion (1776) Sixth Regiment: L - Z. Depreciation Pay Certificates, which were both interest bearing and negotiable, like bonds of the present day. John Nelson's Independent Rifle Company and assigned to the. The Regiment was authorized on April 8, 1777 in the Pennsylvania State Troops as Capt. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Member of the first and second continental Durham, Pay for military service was often long delayed. Subsequently, management of these troops was assumed by the Continental Congress. 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. To make amends for such depreciation, each of these men who in 1781 yet remained in line service was awarded a substantial sum in Organized in spring 1777 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from York, Bucks, Northampton and Northumberland Counties. Northampton County Revolutionary War Militia 1st Battalion, 1777 Commanding Officers: Col. George Hubner; 4th Battalion, 1780 Commanding Officers: Lt. Col. Philip Beehm (Boehm) Ohio, Many of the Invalids were subsequently pensioned. October 4, 1777 Battle of Germantown. A quick fight ensued with heavy firing. Though titled Rangers by Washington and a grateful American people, Morgans Rangers were not, in essence, Rangers in the sense of the uniquely trained, motivated, and challenged soldier. Search Connecticut Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 from The National Archives, Search Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served from Connecticut in the American Army During the Revolution from The National Archives. Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872 from NARA microfilm publication T718. 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. The 1781 reorganization of the Continental resolved the issue of light troops by bringing greater centralized control. To cross it would put Watson deep within the heartland of the Whig resistance. Mounting a second animal, he ordered his artillery to open fire with grapeshot. Such men of the Pennsylvania Line as became disabled in service but were found capable of light garrison duty were transferred to this special continental regiment. In fact, his memoirs published in 1716 by a son are the first American military manual. Mifflinburg, And, they were still separate from the militias sanctioned by Pennsylvania's Provincial Assembly. The Regiment was authorized on March 6, 1776 in the Pennsylvania State Troops as the Pennsylvania State Musketry Battalion. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Companies and Battalions of militia were set up on a geographical basis similar to the arrangement already familiar with the Associators. Recognizing that personal circumstances might in some cases make it inconvenient or even impossible for a particular individual to serve, the fine system was in part devised to provide money in lieu of service in order to hire substitutes. It is notable, however, that during the summer campaign of 1776, thousands of Pennsylvania Associators saw active service in New Jersey. Certificates of the funded or Militia Debt. When several classes were called up for active duty, a separate roll for each company listed the names of the men who actually served, either in person or as substitutes. They took part in campaigns against the Indian towns in northwest Pennsylvania in concert with the Sullivan/Clinton campaign, and again against the hostile Indians in southeast Ohio. Colonel Piper are captured. Were your ancestors part of the Pennsylvania Line? It was assigned on August 12, 1776 to Stirling's Brigade, an element of the, The Regiment was authorized on October 6, 1777 in the Continental Army as two Carlisle Independent Companies and assigned to the, Organized between October 20- December 22, 1777 at Carlisle. Organized between October 25- November 26, 1775 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia, Philadelphia City, Northampton, Berks and Bucks Counties. Some elements of the 11th Pennsylvania saw action in the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777. USA, Winfield, These nine companies were to form a battalion to be commanded by Col. William Thompson of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. 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. 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. It was assigned on February 27, 1776 to the, Remainder of Regiment reorganized and re-designated 1 January 1, 1777 as the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment, an element of the, Relieved on July 22, 1778 from the 3rd Pennsylvania Brigade and assigned to the 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade, an element of the. On July 1, 1776, the army reorganized yet again with each state directed to supply a quota of line regiments for Continental service. Keystone State. The term "Pennsylvania Line" referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to Pennsylvania at various times by theContinental Congress. The regiment was assigned to the 3d Pennsylvania Brigade of the Main Continental Army on 27 May 1777. The regiment was authorized in December, 1775 as the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion. The Regiment was authorized on July 16, 1776 in the Continental Army as Capt. Thanks for your help! Resend Activation Email. In fact over the period of several years the 3d South Carolina Regiment gradually evolved into a line infantry regiment. Relieved on November 18, 1776 from St. Clair's Brigade. Under Stewart it operated along the New York-New Jersey border and moved to Middlebrook, New Jersey, in early December for the winter of 1778-79. After wintering at Valley Forge the regiment was assigned to the Western Department, headquartered at Fort Pitt. (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.) There were hopes that under this new form of government military service would become mandatory. Redesignated on September 16, 1776 as the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment. American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies . Taking refuge in forests and swamps, for which he earned the appellation the Swamp Fox from his enemies, Marions brigade kept the British off-balance with quick movements that captured British troops, destroyed supplies, and disrupted lines of communications. The Regiment was authorized on September 16, 1776 in the Continental Army as the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment. The U.S. Army Ranger history predates the Revolutionary War. Still assigned to Greene's division, the PSR participates in the assault of the British right flank. 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 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. The Regiment was authorized on January 30, 1776 in the continental Army as Capt. Allen, William; lieutenant in Colonel Timothy Green's battalion, 1776; wounded at White Plains. With his cavalry defeated, Watson advanced his guards. Congress called for a Flying Camp to serve under General George Washington. Pennsylvania, The regiment was in combat again on September 20 when, with the rest of Wayne's division, it was surprised at Paoli. With little winter clothing and half their muskets unservicable, the men struggled by foot, sloop, and bateaux into Canada, their strength sharply reduced by sickness. Union County, During the summer, the 11th Pennsylvania was assigned to the 2d Brigade of Anthony Wayne's division. The American Revolutionary War, also known as the American War of Independence, was a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North American. It spent the rest of the year in garrison at West Point and probably wintered at Morristown. The majority of the Regiment fought with the main army at Brandywine, covered the American retreat at Paoli, attacked at Germantown, and skirmished at Whitemarsh. Brinkerhoff, Jacob; ensign, Captain Williams' company, Colonel Michael Swope's battalion of the flying camp; in service, 1776. The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 23 (No. The only unit capable, Lees Legion, had been recalled to the north to support Greene. They were instead the numbers of the battalions from which the men came! List of 10,000 Revolutionary Soldiers 1775-1783. These certificates (bonds in the modern sense) were ultimately redeemed at face value. The mix of mounted and dismounted men gave it somewhat greater staying power in independent firefights while also allowing rapid forced marches (each light infantryman held on to a dragoon's stirrups). In the Western Department, the unit helped construct and garrison Fort McIntosh on the Beaver River, and Fort Laurens on the Tuscarawas. Pennsylvania therefore adapted her fleet to shallow waters. It was during this action that the "wives of several of the soldiers belonging to the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment took the empty canteens of their husbands and friends and returned them filled with waterduring the hottest part of the engagement, although frequently cautioned as to the danger of coming into the line of fire.". Lower Bridge was only twelve miles away. Watsons Buffs were considered to be one of the finest regiments in the British army. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Donation Land in certain western counties, land that remained free from taxation so long as the soldier lived and retained ownership. By December 8, a remnant of the First Battalion was at New Germantown, New Jersey, but the bulk of the men had been mustered out of service. The 6th Pennsylvania was then posted there for the next three months and was involved in several brushes with the British. The Pine Tree Shilling. Some of its troops were detached to serve with the special task force (the "light infantry corps") under Brig. To get things off to a spirited start, he dispatched a detachment of sharpshooters across the river to the plantation where Watson and his troops were housed with orders to shoot his sentries and to wreak havoc. June 26, 1777 - As part of Lord Stirling's Division the regiment probably joined the army in time to participate in the battle of Short Hills. Jacob Weaver's Independent Company, Consolidated on November 7, 1777 with the. A Chronology Of The American Revolutionary War An Ordinance For Regulating The Cloathing Department For The Armies Of The United States The Attempt To Win Over The Hessians The Mutiny Of The Pennsylvania Line The Pox: Ten Times More Terrible Than Britons, Canadians And Indians Together The 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment had its origins in a unit established on October 12, 1775, and designated "The First Pennsylvania Battalion." They were either used to augment the operations of the Continental Line such as when some of the Associators accompanied General Washington in crossing the Delaware in January 1777. Ancestry.com and our loyal RootsWeb community. The Flying Camp? Two companies also accompanied Benedict Arnold's attack on Quebec. The few present were able to man a section of the army's first line of defense at Whitemarsh in early December, before moving with the rest of Washington's forces into the legendary winter encampment at Valley Forge. Having dashed ahead to destroy the bridge, Horry and his men were positioned fifty yards across the river. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Gen. Thomas Mifflin. November 12, 1777 The Pennsylvania State Regiment is officially designated the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line. Organized between January 2- February 11, 1776 at Chester to consist of 8 companies from Chester, Bucks and Lancaster Counties. USA. The two dismounted troops armed and equipped as light infantry provided a defensive element to protect the camp from enemy surprise attack, and also provided a base of fire around which the mounted elements could maneuver. Search the Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files of Connecticut Veterans from The National Archives: Capt. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Battalions and Companies, Arranged by County, Northumberland Co Revolutionary War Militia, Philadelphia City Revolutionary War Militia, Philadelphia Co Revolutionary War Militia, Westmoreland Co Revolutionary War Militia, PHMC Collections Management Policy Standards, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access Policy. The Thirteenth was incorporated with the Second Pennsylvania, July 1, 1778. This was the second unit raised by the state (the first was "The Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion") and was enrolled for a term of one year. The Pennsylvanians assigned to the fort, mostly from the Musket Battalion, are among those captured. Contrary to common belief, none of the lands granted to veterans by the federal government were located in Pennsylvania. It halted the British attack but was itself compelled to retire under subsequent artillery fire. It gained permanent status as a two-company force on 15 October of that year and provided reconnaissance capability to the Northern Department until 1 January 1781 when it disbanded at Coos, New Hampshire, as part of a general reorganization of the Continental Army. In January 1780, the Regiment after suffering long and hard service with pay in arrears, poorly fed, and poorly equipped, joined the other Pennsylvania regiments in a mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line at Morristown, New Jersey. Light companies normally assembled into provisional battalions at the start of each year's campaign and acted as a special strike force in traditional battlefield roles, not as a reconnaissance element. With knowledge of the land, James and his men were able to secure the bridge before the arrival of Watsons dragoons. For this reason, a particular private might be listed in a different battalion in 1781 than he was in 1778 but this does not necessarily mean that he was transferred between units or changed residence. Pennsylvania Militia was organized under an act of March 7, 1777, which provided for compulsory enrollment by the constables of all able-bodied male whites between the ages of eighteen and fifty-three. October 4, 1777 - Possibly because of their service at Brandywine, Conway's Brigade was chosen to lead the main column of Washington's army in the attack on the British at Germantown. December 26, 1776 The Battle of Trenton. In January 1776, the eight companies of the newly-formed battalion began leaving the state to participate in Benedict Arnold's ill-fated attempt to capture Quebec. Virginia, To make amends for such depreciation, each of these men who in 1781 yet remained in line service was awarded a substantial sum inDepreciation Pay Certificates, which were both interest bearing and negotiable, like bonds of the present day. Or were they Associators? On 22 July 1778 the regiment was re-assigned to the 2d Pennsylvania Brigade. But, from the perspective of Robert Rogers and his Rangers, that is contrary to the fact. Please enter your email and password to sign in. During the battle, Colonel Miles, Atlee and Lt. Please enable scripts and reload this page. By 1675-1676 a new element appeared in the ranger concept. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Some of the muster rolls provide the date when duty began, and in the case of officers, the date of their commission, and perhaps some additional comments indicating such types of information as whether they were detached on special duty or the dates of any desertions. Pierce's Certificates. 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. On 5 March 1781, Watson began his movement, marching from Fort Watson. As Thompson's Rifle Battalion, the regiment participated in the siege of Boston. Supporting Army Rangers past, present, and future-RLTW. 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. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. An online listing of officers in the Safely camped in the vicinity of Georgetown later that evening, Watson was extremely bitter, complaining that Marion and his men would not sleep and fight like gentlemen. Instead, like savages, they were eternally firing and whooping around us by night, and by day waylaying and popping at us from behind every tree! Marion and his partisan group of uncivilized American militia had soundly defeated the Buffs Regiment, one of the finest fighting combat units in the world. A County Lieutenant holding the rank of colonel was responsible for implenenting the law with the assistence of sub-lieutenants who held the rank of lieutenant colonel. Trussell, Jr. (Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1977). The origin of the ranger tradition lies in the seventeenth century wars between colonists and Native American tribes. Here the 2nd Pennsylvania served in a provisional brigade commanded by Lt. Col. Aaron Burr and made a charge from the American left flank into a British force trying to assault the American center. Joshua Huddy, who was every bit as feared by loyalists as Tye was by patriots. During this time, Congress realized a more substantial national army with enlistments longer than 12 months would be needed to fight the war successfully. On July 1, 1778, the regiment absorbed the remainder of the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment, most of its men's enlistments having expired. (sic)They are officially uniformed in a blue regimental coat with red lining and facing and pewter buttons inscribed PSR. The geographical boundaries for each district were drawn so as to raise between 440 to 680 men fit for active duty as determined by information contained in the local tax rolls. The Pennsylvania Line originated in 1775 was organized into thirteen regiments and several independent companies. These voluntary "Associators" never represented more than a fraction of the state's total population. 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. The Regiment was authorized on August 23, 1776 in the Continental Army as the Northampton and Northumberland Defense Battalion and assigned to the. Please try again later. When the American Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, about fifty Loyalist regiments were raised, including the Butler's Rangers, the King's Royal Regiment, and the Maryland and Pennsylvania Loyalists.Robert Rogers again raised a unit, this time in New York (mostly from Loyalists living in Westchester and Long Island), from western Connecticut, and with men from the Queen's Loyal Virginia . Pennsylvania was assigned to provide 12 of these "Continental" regiments and decided to use the battalions created in 1775 as the foundation for the state's quota. He and Washington intended it to be the companion to the famous "Blue Book", but operational factors prevented its publication and distribution. In this contest "Lord Sterling's Division & particularly Conway's Brigade" were seen to have "remarkably distinguished themselves." Men From the Turloch Militia who Joined Kings Royal Rangers of New York and Butler's Rangers; 1778 List of Men From Pennsylvania who joined the British Army. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Valcour Island, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Springfield. Whitcomb's Rangers started as a similar provisional unit on the Lake Champlain front in 1776. If you have Pennsylvania ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War, you may be confused by the varying names for forms of service. But they were engaged with one of the finest regiments in the British army and, thus, in the world. Pennsylvania Militia and a chart showing how the units were organized is available. You can always change this later in your Account settings. As Horry withdrew, Watsons mounted Tory dragoons advanced right behind, successfully crossing the causeway. For the remainder of the war, the fame of Morgan and of his Rangers continued to grow as they deployed throughout the colonies engaging British forces. Essentially, the old 2nd Pennsylvania ceased to exist before the final campaign in Virginia and South Carolina, although former members of the regiment were battle casualties at Green Springs on July 6 and Yorktown in October. In offensive operations they became scouts and guides, locating targets (such as villages) for task forces drawn from the militia or other colonial troops. Originally, the 6th Pennsylvania Battalion, the 7th Pennsylvania was authorized on January 4, 1776. For Bucks County, information has also been provided from the returns for the Committee of Safety (the Associators) for 1775. All males aged 20 to 45 - including immigrants seeking citizenship - had to register for the draft. The 1st Continentals also participated in the battles at Fort Washington, Harlem Heights, and White Plains. Comment: Adapted here with some reformating, and standardization, Links to person articles to be added as they come available. During this assault one regiment, possibly the 6th Pennsylvania attacked the pickets at Mount Airy. Colonel John Bull was appointed colonel on May 2, 1777, but was succeeded on June 17 by Colonel Walter Stewart. Watson rode back to rally his men only to have his horse shot from under him. The Pennsylvania Council of Safety prescribes that there will be ten companies, "eight of them armed with muskets and the other two with riffles." Sullivan in his campaign against the Iroquois in western Pennsylvania. In the mid 1700s, Capt. Both Watson and Marion rode out to face each other across a quarter-mile causeway spanning the mire and marsh of the swamp. The original 8th Pennsylvania Regiment was formed in July 1776 of men from Westmoreland and Bedford counties in western Pennsylvania. The distance from bank to bank was the perfect sharpshooter distance, fifty yards. Seven miles later at Ox Swamp, he encountered destroyed bridges and an abatis across the causeway. It was here that they received a new commander, Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Harmar, on the 1st of January 1778. Watson and his men remained where they were, subsisting off the plantation, gathering from those homes around them anything else they needed. The battalion colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors were called to active duty in a specific order. Leaving twenty dead from the engagement, he, the wagons, and the remainder of his regiment forced the ford. For example, when the 1st Class was called up, the colonel of the 1st Battalion, the lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Battalion, and the major of the 3rd Battalion entered into service commanding the 1st Class active-duty Battalion. Relieved on November 14, 1776 from St. Clair's Brigade and assigned to the. All white men, aged 15 to 53, were conscripted into military service - although there was no real punishment for those who refused. A militiaman called for active duty who found such duty inconvenient was permitted to hire a Substitute to march and fight in his stead. Here is an alphabetical list of Revolutionary Soldiers "compiled chiefly from The Depreciation Account books in the office of the Auditor General of . Furloughed on June 11, 1783 at Philadelphia (less 2 companies remaining active at Fort Pitt). About. Relieved on August 31, 1776 from Stirling's Brigade and assigned to Mifflin's Brigade, an element of the. Franklin County, In enrollment, it probably never numbered as many as one thousand men. Participating in a part of the left wing under Nathaniel Green, the Pennsylvanians assist in the defeat of the Hessians under Colonel Rall. 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.

How Much Did Textron Pay For Howe And Howe, Articles P