pennsylvania rangers revolutionary war

Pennsylvania, In fact over the period of several years the 3d South Carolina Regiment gradually evolved into a line infantry regiment. Organized between October 25- November 26, 1775 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia, Philadelphia City, Northampton, Berks and Bucks Counties. Pennsylvania, From beginning to end during the Revolutionary War, the brunt of the fighting was borne by line troops, companies composed of men enlisted for not less than six months and frequently for the duration of the war. Jacob Weaver's Independent Company, Consolidated on November 7, 1777 with the. The Regiment was authorized on April 8, 1777 in the Pennsylvania State Troops as Capt. They also fought at Bergen Neck. The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 23 (No. When America officially declared its independence from Great Britain, it was clear more troops were needed to fight in the revolution. Organized between July 15- September 15, 1776 at Kittanning to consist of 8 companies from Westmoreland, Bedford and Cumberland Counties. Consolidated and reorganized on July 1, 1778 with the. For this reason, a separate permanent billet record and an active duty record would have existed for each individual who saw active duty. On New Year's Day, 1781, members of the 6th Pennsylvania joined the mutiny of the Pennsylvania regiments then quartered at Morristown. Seven miles later at Ox Swamp, he encountered destroyed bridges and an abatis across the causeway. Organized between January 2- late March 1776 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia City and Berks, Bucks Chester and Philadelphia Counties. Within minutes, the planks had been removed from the center of the bridge and the stringers burned on the east end. Furloughed on June 11, 1783 at Philadelphia (less 2 companies remaining active at Fort Pitt). During the afternoon the forces under General John Sullivan fought with the enemy for almost two hours near Birmingham Meeting House. By July 10, it was encamped with the American Army at Ft. Ticonderoga. Filename: Description: Date: Submitter: Revolutionary War: 1bat1782.txt : Rev War: 1782 - First Battalion, Washington County: May 1998: m. Burns: Frontier Rangers/Militia 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. Depreciation Pay Certificates, which were both interest bearing and negotiable, like bonds of the present day. Relieved on November 18, 1776 from St. Clair's Brigade. Somewhat similarly, at the end of the war arrearages and allowances due were met by issuing to each soldier still in the service a number of interest-bearing Final Settlements, also called With less than 200 troops remaining, the consolidated troops are assigned to Brig. The regiment was disbanded on January 17, 1781 at Trenton, New Jersey. Within the formation were the wagons, periodically stopping to gather more wounded or dead. Pennsylvania State Navy. Gen. Anthony Wayne and Washington south in August where they fought at Brandywine on September 11, 1777. He was an able leader with a reputation of taking care of the welfare of his men. The individuals who volunteered at this time were formed into battalions by county and were known as "Flying Camps" that served on active duty until November 30, 1776. 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. On January 1, 1777, the survivors of the 5th Battalion, along with exchanged prisoners and new recruits, were reorganized into the 6th Pennsylvania. Instead, it protected itself with the passage of temporary laws authorizing organized militias. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Revolutionary War PA Colonial Rangers 14 memorials Pvt James Chambers 19 May 1761 - 16 May 1780 Lewis Cemetery Mifflinburg, Union County, Pennsylvania, USA PVT George Etzweiler unknown - 26 May 1780 Pvt George Etzweiler Burial Site Mifflinburg, Union County, Pennsylvania, USA PVT John Forster Jr. unknown - 16 May 1780 Lewis Cemetery Refusal to turn out for military exercises would result in a fine, the proceeds from which were used to hire substitutes. Soon, the British regiment marched into view. 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. To cross it would put Watson deep within the heartland of the Whig resistance. The whole force retreated to Isle Aux Noix and then to Crown Point, reached on July 1. Undaunted by the destroyed bridge or the rebels fire, the lead guardsmen closed column and plunged across the river. 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. The financial difficulties of the new government, difficulties that lasted into the 1790's, complicated the payment of troops. Resend Activation Email. Each partisan unit in the Continental Army, however, had a unique organizational structure. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. To use this feature, use a newer browser. September 11, 1777 - Stirling's Division takes part in the action on the right of Washington's army during the battle of Brandywine. 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. Ohio, who served in the war of the American Revolution, 1775-1783 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 . Its main objective was the defense of Philadelphia and the protection of the Delaware river and bay of the outward and inward bound trade of the state. RevWar Progressive 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. Marion and his brigade soon arrived and forded the river. With no radical changes, the new militia system served the Commonwealth through war and peace until 1842. 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. 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. After this, the 7th Pennsylvania spent time in New York and New Jersey watching the British. At Trenton, it was the 1st Continental Regiment (now known as the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment) that cut off the Hessian retreat from Trenton, causing them to surrender. Captured in part on November 16, 1776 by the British Army at Fort Washington, New York. 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. 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. For line troops, neither the type of service rendered nor the term of enlistment was uniform. An online listing of officers in the Revolutionary War Re-Enactors. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. All white men, aged 15 to 53, were conscripted into military service - although there was no real punishment for those who refused. The The regiment was raised in Cumberland and York counties (companies G and H). Gen. Anthony Wayne's division. These concerns were overcome and the regiment joined the army later in the month. USA. 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. We have set your language to A quick fight ensued with heavy firing. Relieved in January 1777 from Stirling's Brigade. 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. But the bluff was too high and the artillery canister just passed overhead of the defenders on the east bank when fired. Unfortunately, neither this stick nor the carrot achieved the desired results. Franklin County, The Regiment was authorized on September 16, 1776 in the Continental Army as the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment. 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. Organized between January 2- February 17, 1776 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies. Marion knew that if he did not continue to press, theyd be back with a vengeance. 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. 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. Organized between January 8- March 20, 1776 at Carlisle to consist of 8 companies from Cumberland and York Counties. 14 cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. For all intents the Regiment ceased to exist. Sullivan in his campaign against the Iroquois in western Pennsylvania. But, from the perspective of Robert Rogers and his Rangers, that is contrary to the fact. Pennsylvania Militia and a chart showing how the units were organized is available. 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. Where it was involved in several minor battles and skirmishes. During 1777, the regiment participated in the Philadelphia Campaign and fought at the Battles of Brandywine (11 Sept.) and Germantown (4 Oct.). 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. Relieved on April 27, 1776 from Green's Brigade and assigned to the. Due to bad tactics, the unit took the heaviest losses in the engagement. You can always change this later in your Account settings. In the meantime, the regiment was commanded by the senior officer present for duty, Maj. William Williams. Marion was located past Murrys Ferry. This time, the question of military service was no longer optional. 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. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. In June the men refused to report at camp for duty as they thought they were still on parole and had not been properly exchanged. The situation was not good. In fact, Major General Friedrich von Steuben wrote a separate drill manual for them in late 1780. To each of her line soldiers, who served to the end of the war, Pennsylvania grantedDonation Landin certain western counties, land that remained free from taxation so long as the soldier lived and retained ownership. About Us | Contact Us | Copyright | Report Inappropriate Material Organized in between March 7- May 29, 1776 at Markus Hook, to consist of the 1st Battalion (6 companies) from Philadelphia City and Bucks, Bedford, York, Norhampton and Northumberland Counties; and the 2nd Battalion (6 companies) from Berks, Cumberland, Lancaster and Westmoreland Counties. History of the massacre of Captain Phillips' Pennsylvania Rangers; Illinois, Revolutionary War Veteran Burials, 1775-1850; Illinois, U.S., Revolutionary War Veteran Burials Index, 1775-1850; In memoriam : citizen soldiers of Dracut, Mass. There, on January 1, 1781, the mutiny of the Pennsylvania troops took place. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Watson and his men remained where they were, subsisting off the plantation, gathering from those homes around them anything else they needed. 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. A man who failed to report for drill merely paid an Bucks County Associators and a chart showing how the units were organized is available. As with all his previous battles, he was on his own with this fight. John Doyle's Independent Rifle Company. The regiment would see action during the New York Campaign, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Sullivan Expedition. Please try again later. A covering force of riflemen were swept aside by Watsons artillery, allowing Watsons guard to ford the stream unopposed. Similar groups, commonly known as Associators, soon sprang up in surrounding counties. John Nelson's Independent Rifle Company and assigned to the. (When an individual filed an appeal, they could also, however, be placed into a later class.) 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. 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. Muster rolls of the navy and line, militia and rangers, 1775-1783:198-220 Intemediate Sources: USGENwebArchives Transcribed by Christina Hunt Archive.org, OCR Transcription. Participating in a part of the left wing under Nathaniel Green, the Pennsylvanians assist in the defeat of the Hessians under Colonel Rall. 1st Continental Regiment. The Regiment was authorized on March 15, 1777 in the Pennsylvania State Troops as Capt. 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 was the last regiment to leave Long Island. When the classes were called up, each captain would deliver a notice to each man's dwelling or place of business. 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. Eighty years after becoming the United States of America, the nation suffered a Civil War. Revolutionary War Records at FamilySearch. In pursuit was Peter Horry, firing on the retreating forms from every bush and thicket. Mifflin' Brigade re-designated on October 8, 1776 as Stirling's Brigade. On June 7, it fought at Connecticut Farms and on June 21 was at "the blockhouse" at Bergen Hts., where it joined the First Pennsylvania Regiment in a gallant but futile headlong charge on a sturdy Loyalist fortification despite the attempts of the officers to restrain the men. It then reported to march with the army under Col. Arthur St. Clair and was involved at Three Rivers on June 9. Gen. William Maxwell, which was formed for the fall campaign opposing the British approach toward Philadelphia from the south. Exercise Fine. During the Revolutionary War, Western Pennsylvania saw much fighting between American soldiers and British rangers and their Indian allies. This Revolutionary War Militia Arrangement provides a breakdown of the battalions and companies raised in each county and the names of the commanding officers. 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. Watson did not take long to initiate the fight. 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. Contrary to common belief, none of the lands granted to veterans by the federal government were located in Pennsylvania. "Light Horse Harry" Lee of Virginia (the father of Robert E. Lee) raised the only American-born unit under this concept. Organized in spring 1777 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Westmoreland, Lancaster, Chester, Philadelphia and Cumberland Counties. In certain counties there were recruited special troops calledRangers, who served long enlistments on the frontier against the Indians. 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. It halted the British attack but was itself compelled to retire under subsequent artillery fire. 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. Later, some of the 11th Pennsylvania took part in the patrol actions in New Jersey, which marked the spring and summer of 1777. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Springfield. Revolutionary Soldiers, thanks again Ed Carsons In April of 1781, Robinson's Rangers had already been involved, as General Potter stated in his letter xiv in a "sharp engagement at Bald Eagle Creek." Little is known of that particular engagement, and perhaps it is the same one related by Van Campen, later. It is believed and written by many that when the time came for the colonies to fight for their independence, the American Rangers were ready. To a degree, when one looks to the likes of Francis Marion, The Swamp Fox, that may be true. After wintering at Valley Forge the regiment was assigned to the Western Department, headquartered at Fort Pitt. Thanks for your help! The Regiment was authorized on March 6, 1776 in the Pennsylvania State Troops as the Pennsylvania State Musketry Battalion. November 16, 1776 The fall of Fort Washington. Redesignated on September 16, 1776 as the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment. The Flying Camp? Late that afternoon, he bivouacked south of Nelsons Ferry. It spent the rest of the year in garrison at West Point and probably wintered at Morristown. The American revolutionaries were not without their Rangers, despite Rogers' support of the Crown. 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. This data collection contains an estimated 80,000 application files from officers and enlisted men who served in the Revolutionary War in all branches of the American military: army, navy, and marines. RootsWeb is funded and supported by Sending forth his Loyalist cavalry to cross the causeway, Marion met the charge with one of his own led by Peter Horry and his mounted men. Brief History of the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment of 1777. In October it participated in Anthony Wayne's defeat of the British at Valcour Island, but otherwise had an uneventful tour of garrison duty. The U.S. Army Ranger history predates the Revolutionary War. 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. (sic)They are officially uniformed in a blue regimental coat with red lining and facing and pewter buttons inscribed PSR. Gen. Anthony Wayne's Division. The regiment was officially disbanded in January, 1783, although in reality, no regiment had existed since 1781. Joshua William's Independent Company. Mounting a second animal, he ordered his artillery to open fire with grapeshot. Captain Nathan Hale of this corps gained immortality as a brave but singularly inept spy. It should be noted that these fines were not necessarily intended to be punitive. November 16, 1776 - Formerly known as the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion the entire unit was captured at Fort Washington, New York. The regiment was merged into the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment on July 1, 1778. The Battle of Wyoming, also known as the Wyoming Massacre, was a military engagement during the American Revolutionary War between Patriot militia and a force of Loyalist soldiers and Iroquois warriors. 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. A double-pronged attack was planned with Lieutenant Colonel Watson marching down the Santee to attack Marion while Colonel Welbore Ellis Doyle crossed the Lynches River to cut off the rebels escape. In formal battles it provided unblemished flank security, but it was even better in rear battle by conducting deep raids against British logistical bases. On June 30, 1775, the Provincial Assembly gave official recognition to the Associators and grouped their companies into battalions. 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. 1st United States President, Revolutionary War Mount Vernon, 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.". Whitcomb's Rangers started as a similar provisional unit on the Lake Champlain front in 1776. 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. From these beginnings of the Continental Army, a group of expert riflemen composed of hardy frontiersmen were formed in 1777 into an organization George Washington referred to as The Corps of Rangers. In the spring of 1777, the Regiment was assigned to Brig. Weve updated the security on the site. On September 21 the regiment was in Hartford, Connecticut, with Wayne to greet French General Rochambeau. . The regiment participated in the unsuccessful defense of New York City and was captured in part at Fort Washington (16 Nov., 1776). Company returns, battalion returns, and brigade returns were nearly always filled out on standard printed forms when these were available. Samuel Morehead's Independent Company, an element of the. Soldiers who served during the years 1777-1780, when the currency was depreciating, were paid inContinental bills of Credit, which quickly lost value. 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. Subsequently, management of these troops was assumed by the Continental Congress. Pennsylvania Long Rifles. Concurrent with the establishment of county militias was the creation of five companies of Rangers. This was the decisive point of the campaign that required Marion to attack. Lt. Substitute Fine was paid. Frequently no substitute was furnished, but instead a 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. While all of these types of records reflect enrollment in the militia, only the muster rolls of the actual marching companies demonstrate actual service while the fine books and appeal books are evidence of lack of actual service. The sharpshooters were placed at the abutment where they had the clearest shot at the far end of the bridge while the remaining musketeers secured their flanks. He was replaced by Col. John Phillip DeHaas of Lebanon. 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. Union County, Queen's Rangers. As a result of declining numbers, the Pennsylvania Regiments were reorganized into three provisional battalions. The east bank of the river was low, open, and swampy. It was consolidated with the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment on 17 January 1781 and re-designated as the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment and concurrently furloughed at Trenton, New Jersey. These volunteer companies made up the Union County, There, Marion waited, knowing that Watson would eventually appear. Two months later the remnants of the corps fell into British hands when Fort Washington surrendered. Westmoreland County Revolutionary War Militia 1st Battalion, 1777 Commanding Officers: Col. Alexander Barr Lt. Col. John Pomery Major James Wilkins 2nd Battalion, 1777 Commanding Officers: Col. John Perry Lt. Col. John Shields Major Christopher Lavengair 3rd Battalion, 1778 Commanding Officers: Col. James Smith Lt. Col. Providence Mounts This collection is from Record Group 93, War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, and is National Archives Microfilm publication M246. On July 1, 1776, the army reorganized yet again with each state directed to supply a quota of line regiments for Continental service. Marion and his men had won the days skirmish. Having dashed ahead to destroy the bridge, Horry and his men were positioned fifty yards across the river. Organized in spring 1777 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia City and Berks, Chester, Philadelphia and Northumberland Counties. The regiment was in combat again on September 20 when, with the rest of Wayne's division, it was surprised at Paoli. The light infantry companies continued under their existing practice of forming provisional battalions for each campaign season. On September 25 it rushed from Tappan, New York, to West Point to reinforce the garrison there after Benedict Arnold's treachery was discovered. These nine companies were to form a battalion to be commanded by Col. William Thompson of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Militia fines became an important source of revenue. 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. 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. The Regiment was authorized on January 18, 1777 in the Continental Army as an independent company to guard prisoners of war at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Marion knew that an engagement with them would not be easy and he could expect no support from the American army. Scouts abounded about the British regiment. The battalion colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors were called to active duty in a specific order. New Hampshire, 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. Queens Loyal Rangers. Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872 from NARA microfilm publication T718. Lee particularly shined when his regulars stiffened the irregular local forces of leaders like Francis ("Swamp Fox") Marion. It remained in the Western Department till the end of the war. Pulaski's Independent Legion. To the plantations Whig owner, Watson acknowledged he had never seen such shooting before in his life. While Watson established his headquarters in the plantation house, Marion and his men bivouacked in the woods of the ridge south of the ford.