November 30, 2006 by Trevor. As Marions men turned back from the fires, Watson loaded two wagons with wounded. Captain Nathan Hale of this corps gained immortality as a brave but singularly inept spy. Sullivan in his campaign against the Iroquois in western Pennsylvania. "Pennsylvania Rifle: Revolutionary Weapon in a Conventional War." Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 103 (July 1979), pp. Frustration had set in on the British in regard to Marion, and the decision was made by Cornwallis replacement as field commander in South Carolina, Lord Francis Rawdon, to try and eradicate the pest once and for all. Militias were paid out of Pennsylvania's then-functioning provincial treasury. The names of these individuals will be found on the appeal lists. Frequently no substitute was furnished, but instead a A man who failed to report for drill merely paid an These actions earned the Rangers a reputation for ruthlessness. It spent the rest of the year in garrison at West Point and probably wintered at Morristown. November 16, 1776 - Formerly known as the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion the entire unit was captured at Fort Washington, New York. List of regimental, company and militia units from Pennsylvania in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1782, including infantry, cavalry and artillery units. Reorganized and re-designated on January 1, 1777 as the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment, to consist of 8 companies. During this time, Congress realized a more substantial national army with enlistments longer than 12 months would be needed to fight the war successfully. Companies and Battalions of militia were set up on a geographical basis similar to the arrangement already familiar with the Associators. 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. After camping at Valley Forge, the First Pennsylvania saw limited action at Monmouth. Relieved in January 1777 from Stirling's Brigade. A counter charge of the remainder of Marions cavalry pushed the dragoons back across the land bridge. 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. 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. Relieved on May 22, 1777 from Stirling's Brigade and assigned to the 1st Pennsylvania Brigade, an element of the. (these are free with registration) Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 from National Archives (NARA) microfilm publication M246. For most counties, the town or township from which each of the companies were recruited is also given when known. The financial difficulties of the new government, difficulties that lasted into the 1790's, complicated the payment of troops. The Pennsylvania Navy was created in 1775 and, like the Pennsylvania Line, was filled by voluntary enlistment. RevWar '75 Continental Army Orderly Books Crown Forces Orderly Books Articles from Military Collector and Historian. 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. On July 1, 1778, the regiment absorbed the remainder of the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment, most of its men's enlistments having expired. The second type of service was duty on the frontier in Northumberland, Northampton, Bedford and Westmoreland counties. On March 14, 1776, the 6th Pennsylvania Battalion was sent to New York City. . 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. Swearingen resigned from the service in August 1779 and settled in Washington County, Pa., where he owned a handful of slaves and became the county's first sheriff two years later. Watson rode back to rally his men only to have his horse shot from under him. In certain counties there were recruited special troops calledRangers, who served long enlistments on the frontier against the Indians. "Light Horse Harry" Lee of Virginia (the father of Robert E. Lee) raised the only American-born unit under this concept. Pennsylvania Revolutionary Service | Claudius Boatman Copyright 2017 RevolutionaryWar.us | All Rights Reserved, Captain Samual Morehead's Independent Company, Captain Jacob Weaver's Independent Company, Revolutionary War Records at the Pennsylvania State Archives, Pennsylvania Final Payment Vouchers Index for Military Pensions, 1818-1864, Pennsylvania Revolutionary War Prize Cases - Captured Vessels, Pennsylvania Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783, Pennsylvania Revolutionary War Service Records, Pennsylvania in the War of the Revolution : battalions and line, 1775-1783, Pennsylvania Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the American Revolution, List of Soldiers and Widows of Soldiers Granted Revolutionary War Pensions by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Militia in 1777: A Reprint from The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. Certain it is no man has a better claim to the public thanks, or is more generally admired than you. Knowlton's Rangers, a provisional three-company unit of volunteers from Connecticut and Massachusetts line regiments under Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton, came into being during the late summer of 1776 at New York City. But the bluff was too high and the artillery canister just passed overhead of the defenders on the east bank when fired. The Pennsylvania Riflemen are sent to the left near Flatbush and the Musketeers are sent to the right with General Alexander. Many men listed on company rosters never drilled, and tens of thousands enrolled in the militia never experienced a single day of active duty. Relieved on May 19, 1778 from the 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade and assigned to the. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. 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. Morgan would continue to fight in support of the American Revolution in a number of significant battles, including the battle at Cowpens, South Carolina, on 17 January 1781. In the meantime, the regiment was commanded by the senior officer present for duty, Maj. William Williams. October 28, 1776 The Battle of White Plains. . The Regiment was authorized on April 8, 1777 in the Pennsylvania State Troops as Capt. The 7th Pennsylvania marched with Brig. Member of the first and second continental Durham, Many of the Invalids were subsequently pensioned. Most of the service rendered by members of the Pennsylvania Militia fell into one of three categories. Furloughed on June 11, 1783 at Philadelphia (less 2 companies remaining active at Fort Pitt). 1st Pennsylvania Regiment (Revolutionary War) FamilySearch Another form of line service was with theCorps of Invalids. The Regiment was authorized on December 9, 1775 in the Continental Army as the 4th Pennsylvania Battalion. 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 Refusal to turn out for military exercises would result in a fine, the proceeds from which were used to hire substitutes. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. The Regiment was authorized on October 12, 1775 in the Continental Army as the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion. Some of its troops were detached to serve with the special task force (the "light infantry corps") under Brig. 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. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Springfield. Unfortunately for Watson, the lack of trees and concealment did not diminish the fires, nor their accuracy. On these permanent billet rolls the men in each company were listed as being either part of the first class, second class, third class, etc. (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.) Gen. 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. Special battalions of line troops were recruited for theFlying Campfrom among the Pennsylvania Associators who took part in the New Jersey campaign in 1776. Reorganized and re-designated on January 1, 1777 as the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment, to consist of 8 companies. 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. 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. Marions response was to once again reiterate his position that he was only responding in kind to British transgressions. In fact, Major General Friedrich von Steuben wrote a separate drill manual for them in late 1780. Resend Activation Email. 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. Four men running forward to recover his body were also killed in sequence. 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. Here is an alphabetical list of Revolutionary Soldiers "compiled chiefly from The Depreciation Account books in the office of the Auditor General of . Colonel Brodhead is placed in command of the consolidated forces and ordered by General Washington to withdraw to Manhattan. 1st Battalion, 1777-1780 . Queens Loyal Rangers. The Regiment was authorized on March 6, 1776 in the Pennsylvania State Troops as the Pennsylvania State Musketry Battalion. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. The item Washington County, Pa., Frontier Rangers, 1781-1782 : Washington County, Pa., Rangers, Revolutionary War burials of Greene County, Pa., Revolutionary War burials of Washington County, Pa., compiled by Paul W. Myers represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Indiana State Library. Joshua Huddy, who was every bit as feared by loyalists as Tye was by patriots. Organized in spring 1777 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from York, Bucks, Northampton and Northumberland Counties. Rangers committed to prolonged enlistment periods and rather than fight the war for independence, they patrolled Pennsylvania's western frontier, often fending off Indian attacks. Militia Resource Guide 1682-1815 - Pennsylvania Historical & Museum History affords no instance wherein an officer has kept possession of a country under so many disadvantages as you have; surrounded on every side with a superior force; hunted from every quarter with veteran troops, you have found means to elude all their attempts, and to keep alive the expiring hopes of an oppressed Militia, when all succor seemed to be cut off. In the Western Department, the unit helped construct and garrison Fort McIntosh on the Beaver River, and Fort Laurens on the Tuscarawas. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, so many men volunteered to join the Associators that a more formal operating structure was required. An Official Pennsylvania Government Website. The Pennsylvania Council of Safety prescribes that there will be ten companies, "eight of them armed with muskets and the other two with riffles." The company commanders could also change. The 1st Continentals also participated in the battles at Fort Washington, Harlem Heights, and White Plains. With no radical changes, the new militia system served the Commonwealth through war and peace until 1842. With his cavalry defeated, Watson advanced his guards. 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. 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. 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. Rogers wrote the 19 standing orders that are still in use today. At some point, the settlers at Hannastown erected a stockade, fashioned of logs placed upright in the ground, around a spring and a blockhouse at the edge of town. The 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment had its origins in a unit established on October 12, 1775, and designated "The First Pennsylvania Battalion." The act called for eight battalion districts to be created in Philadelphia and in each of the eleven extant counties. Within the formation were the wagons, periodically stopping to gather more wounded or dead. As with all his previous battles, he was on his own with this fight. A quick fight ensued with heavy firing. based on information from your browser. 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. In December, the 2nd Pennsylvania returned to Morristown for another winter. Lt. We have set your language to Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 (M246), and other historical records. 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. Please enable scripts and reload this page. The infantry moved at a trot the entire way, stopping only to fire a volley to their rear. A portion of the Pennsylvanians, most of them riflemen, served on the American left flank against the Hessians. For Northumberland County, the number of militiamen serving in each company of the 1776 Associator Battalions and for the 1778 3rd and 4th Militia Battalions is provided. Revolutionary War Re-Enactors. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. 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. It is notable, however, that during the summer campaign of 1776, thousands of Pennsylvania Associators saw active service in New Jersey. By 1675-1676 a new element appeared in the ranger concept. It was assigned on December 1, 1776 to the, It was assigned on May 22, 1777 to the 3rd Pennsylvania Brigade, an element of the. Perry County, An online listing of officers in the Northumberland County Revolutionary War Militia The Pennsylvania Lineoriginated in 1775 was organized into thirteen regiments and several independent companies. 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. Early in that year, as tension mounted, there appeared spontaneously in certain localities volunteer companies of Organized in spring 1777 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia City and Berks, Chester, Philadelphia and Northumberland Counties. The regiment was assigned to the 3d Pennsylvania Brigade of the Main Continental Army on 27 May 1777. 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. This Revolutionary War Militia Arrangement provides a breakdown of the battalions and companies raised in each county and the names of the commanding officers. Consolidated on January 17, 1781 with the, Reorganized on January 1, 1783 at Ashley Hills, South Carolina, to consist of 9 companies, and assigned to the. This active-duty roll was therefore a completely different roll from the permanent billet roll. Organization was territorial, so that normally a company consisted of men from a single township, while a battalion included all the Associators of several neighboring townships. As a result of declining numbers, the Pennsylvania Regiments were reorganized into three provisional battalions. Eighty years after becoming the United States of America, the nation suffered a Civil War. Colonel John Bull was appointed colonel on May 2, 1777, but was succeeded on June 17 by Colonel Walter Stewart. On 22 July 1778 the regiment was re-assigned to the 2d Pennsylvania Brigade. 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. 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. RootsWeb is funded and supported by John Nelson's Independent Rifle Company and assigned to the. The Pennsylvania State Regiment of Foot was organized at the end of April, 1777, from the men and officers of Miles's rifle battalion and Atlee's musketry battalion. Benjamin Church (1639-1718) of Massachusetts developed a special full-time unit mixing white colonists selected for frontier skills with friendly Indians to carry out offensive strikes against hostile Indians in terrain where normal militia units were ineffective. These nine companies were to form a battalion to be commanded by Col. William Thompson of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. They were instead the numbers of the battalions from which the men came! ?? 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. Organized between January 2- February 17, 1776 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies. 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. Associators patterned essentially upon groups which had existed briefly in 1747-1748 and again after Braddock's defeat in 1755. In the mid 1700s, Capt. Instead, it protected itself with the passage of temporary laws authorizing organized militias. Begin Main Content Area Bedford County Revolutionary War Militia. Company returns, battalion returns, and brigade returns were nearly always filled out on standard printed forms when these were available. John Pugh's Independent Company to guard Powder Mill at French Creek. Marion knew that if he did not continue to press, theyd be back with a vengeance. 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. Union County, Since the company captain and lower officers were also called up, their identities provide a clue to the permanent class, company, and battalion to which a particular individual belonged. These certificates (bonds in the modern sense) were ultimately redeemed at face value. Organized between March 13- May 29, 1776 at Chester to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia City and Bucks, Philadelphia, Chester and Lancaster Counties. Following a disastrous expedition to Quebec, Canada, and his subsequent capture and parole as a prisoner, Morgan was appointed a colonel of a rifle regiment. Arriving from Ireland Kauffman, Revolutionary War General. Contrary to myth, the light troops in the Continental Army overwhelmingly followed European doctrinal concepts. Overmyer has not added any memorials to this virtual cemetery. Two months later the remnants of the corps fell into British hands when Fort Washington surrendered. It should be noted that these fines were not necessarily intended to be punitive. They spent the winter at Valley Forge and fought at the battle of Monmoth on June 28, 1778. 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. The companies supported British operations against French Canada on the New York and St. Lawrence River fronts. Imposing and silent, highly disciplined and trained, impressive in their bright red uniforms, the guards led with bayonets that gleamed and sparkled on the ends of upraised muskets. Revolutionary War: Black loyalists sought freedom at Sandy Hook NJ On June 19, 1778, the Continental Army left Valley Forge in pursuit and engaged the British in the Battle of Monmouth on an extremely hot June 28. Each partisan unit in the Continental Army, however, had a unique organizational structure. Associators remained independent of the Continental (Pennsylvania) Line which was comprised of regular, enlisted infantrymen. List of 10,000 Revolutionary Soldiers 1775-1783. November 16, 1776 The fall of Fort Washington. It remained in the Western Department till the end of the war. Due to bad tactics, the unit took the heaviest losses in the engagement. When Washington authorized Gist's Additional Continental Regiment in 1777 he intended to man it with a mixture of Caucasian southern frontiersmen and members of the Cherokee and related tribes. They required six-month enlistments. 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). Under the provisions of the Militia Law, the men called up for active duty were automatically assigned to companies whose numbers were different from their own company numbers on the permanent billet rolls. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Online Revolutionary War Indexes and Records - Military Indexes None of the light units employed by the Continental Army carried out a training role as Rogers' Rangers had during the French and Indian War. Crossing the road that led from Murrys Ferry to Kingstree, Watson continued to follow Marion toward Georgetown. Contrary to common belief, none of the lands granted to veterans by the federal government were located in Pennsylvania. The 11th Pennsylvania fought again at Germantown on October 4, 1777. The Regiment was authorized on December 9, 1775 in the Continental Army as the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion. Mounting a second animal, he ordered his artillery to open fire with grapeshot. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. 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. In March 1777, this indeed occurred. Marion and his men had won the days skirmish. For all intents the Regiment ceased to exist. Pennsylvania therefore adapted her fleet to shallow waters. Filename: Description: Date: Submitter: Revolutionary War: 1bat1782.txt : Rev War: 1782 - First Battalion, Washington County: May 1998: m. Burns: Frontier Rangers/Militia 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). During this assault one regiment, possibly the 6th Pennsylvania attacked the pickets at Mount Airy. Organized between July 15- September 15, 1776 at Kittanning to consist of 8 companies from Westmoreland, Bedford and Cumberland Counties. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. When spring came, the regiment was again actively engaged in patrols and skirmishes with British forays from New York. The origin of the ranger tradition lies in the seventeenth century wars between colonists and Native American tribes. This browser does not support getting your location. 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. General Hugh Mercer and attack a group of British dragoons. Depreciation Pay Certificates, which were both interest bearing and negotiable, like bonds of the present day. Mother Bedford - The Pennsylvania Frontier Of The 1700s Avoiding militia calls was not difficult. Substitute Fine was paid. On 5 March 1781, Watson began his movement, marching from Fort Watson. Queen's Rangers - Wikipedia Pennsylvania, They also became very adept at employing the mounted troops in a raid designed to provoke a British pursuit which would end with a classic "L-shaped" ambush. Gen. William Maxwell, which was formed for the fall campaign opposing the British approach toward Philadelphia from the south. When brought word of Watsons deployment, he correctly realized that this was a strategic attempt by the British to drive him from the southern region of the state. 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. August 25-27, 1776 The Battle of Long Island. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Springfield. Organized on September 5, 1776 at Lancaster with recruits from central Pennsylvania and assigned to the. Butler's Rangers - Wikipedia and assigned to the. For example, men listed on the permanent roll as belonging to the 2nd Class of the 7th Company of the 6th Battalion would in the active duty battalion be automatically placed in the 6th Company of the 2nd (Active Duty) Battalion. The mutiny failed and resulted in many of the soldiers receiving their discharges. 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.