pennsylvania rangers revolutionary war pennsylvania rangers revolutionary war

As a result of this alliance, Rogers greatest claim to fame during the Revolution and possibly most infamous overall was the seizure of Nathan Hale. 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. 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 would see action during the New York Campaign, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Sullivan Expedition. Crossing the road that led from Murrys Ferry to Kingstree, Watson continued to follow Marion toward Georgetown. Gen. Anthony Wayne's division. Seven miles later at Ox Swamp, he encountered destroyed bridges and an abatis across the causeway. Colonel Piper are captured. The names of those who actually turned out for muster duty would then appear on company muster rolls listing the men in their new arrangement. The resulting restructuring of the Pennsylvania Line perpetuated a 2nd Regiment among the state's six reorganized units, with Walter Stewart still in command. 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. 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. Conway's Brigade continued at attack and eventually drove "the enemy a mile and a half below Chew's house" before being forced to retire. 1 . Refusal to turn out for military exercises would result in a fine, the proceeds from which were used to hire substitutes. Special battalions of line troops were recruited for theFlying Campfrom among the Pennsylvania Associators who took part in the New Jersey campaign in 1776. It is notable, however, that during the summer campaign of 1776, thousands of Pennsylvania Associators saw active service in New Jersey. 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. The battle took place in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania on July 3, 1778 in what is now Luzerne County. All males aged 20 to 45 - including immigrants seeking citizenship - had to register for the draft. During this period, 135 men and officers were detached to Col. Daniel Morgan and participated in the Saratoga campaign as part of his rifle corps. Both Watson and Marion rode out to face each other across a quarter-mile causeway spanning the mire and marsh of the swamp. On 5 March 1781, Watson began his movement, marching from Fort Watson. Northumberland County Revolutionary War Militia Upper Division Associators, 24 January 1776 Commanding Officers: Col. unknown As his situation grew more desperate with each passing day, Watson finally decided to retreat. 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. 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. November 16, 1776 The fall of Fort Washington. 1st Continental Regiment. The Pennsylvania Lineoriginated in 1775 was organized into thirteen regiments and several independent companies. The Continental Army's other light troops sprang from a relatively new European concept not the native American ranger tradition. Pennsylvania Line Regiments and other Pennsylvania Units. Veterans of this corps played a major role in the Continental Army during the Revolution, including Major General Israel Putnam and Brigadier Generals John Stark and Moses Hazen. With knowledge of the land, James and his men were able to secure the bridge before the arrival of Watsons dragoons. Organized between March 13- May 29, 1776 at Chester to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia City and Bucks, Philadelphia, Chester and Lancaster Counties. On Sept. 1, 1780, Tye's brigade raided the Colts Neck home of Capt. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth. Many of the Invalids were subsequently pensioned. Eight days later, Pennsylvania was directed to raise two additional companies, followed by a third. The 7th Pennsylvania was present at Whitemarsh but did not fight. Within each county, the colonels drew lots for their individual rank, which was then assigned to their battalion as First Battallion, Second Battalion, Third Battalion, etc. This account has been disabled. With no radical changes, the new militia system served the Commonwealth through war and peace until 1842. Most of Whitcomb's men came from New Hampshire and the Hampshire Grants (now Vermont). Arriving from Ireland Kauffman, Pennsylvania therefore adapted her fleet to shallow waters. 3, 1964): 161-230 was well as the historical background section below. Queens Loyal Rangers. Home Battles 1775 to 1783 Campaigns Continental Army Continental Navy British Army Flags of the Revolution War Facts War Leaders Patriot Leaders British Leaders 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. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. The origin of the ranger tradition lies in the seventeenth century wars between colonists and Native American tribes. The 7th Pennsylvania was part of the force that attacked the blockhouse under Wayne at Bergen Heights on july 21, 1780. For Bucks County, information has also been provided from the returns for the Committee of Safety (the Associators) for 1775. The cat and mouse advance continued on the far bank. Fairfax County, 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. 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. Only in a few instances did her armed vessels pass beyond the Capes of the Delaware into the Atlantic. In this contest "Lord Sterling's Division & particularly Conway's Brigade" were seen to have "remarkably distinguished themselves." The Regiment was authorized on April 8, 1777 in the Pennsylvania State Troops as Capt. To cross it would put Watson deep within the heartland of the Whig resistance. 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. But, from the perspective of Robert Rogers and his Rangers, that is contrary to the fact. 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. 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. During this period, activist elements among Pennsylvania's population organized local volunteer "associations" that were eventually formed into fifty-three battalions. The regiment was in combat again on September 20 when, with the rest of Wayne's division, it was surprised at Paoli. 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 . The Regiment was authorized on January 18, 1777 in the Continental Army as an independent company to guard prisoners of war at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Marions response was to once again reiterate his position that he was only responding in kind to British transgressions. 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. 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. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Military Records Pennsylvania in the Revolutionary War 1st Pennsylvania Regiment Brief History Also known as the Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion and Thompson's Rifle Battalion. It was assigned on August 12, 1776 to Stirling's Brigade, an element of the Main Army. Though the act provided exemptions for members of the Continental Congress, Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council, Supreme Court judges, masters and teachers of colleges, ministers of the Gospel, and indentured servants, as a practical matter anyone could avoid serving either by filing an appeal to delay their service for a period of time or by paying a fine to hire a substitute. Morgans Corps of Rangers was coming to fruition. 302-324. return to scholars showcase. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Springfield. 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. The regiment lost two men wounded in this action. By the end of October, the unit had suffered substantially from all the fighting, including the loss of Williams who was captured at Germantown. Thanks for your help! The battalion colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors were called to active duty in a specific order. 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. In certain counties there were recruited special troops called 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. 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. Before daybreak, Marion roused his men and deployed his troops. Leaving twenty dead from the engagement, he, the wagons, and the remainder of his regiment forced the ford. On March 14, 1776, the 6th Pennsylvania Battalion was sent to New York City. The Regiment was authorized on August 23, 1776 in the Continental Army as the Northampton and Northumberland Defense Battalion and assigned to the. Capt. Gen. Anthony Wayne and Washington south in August where they fought at Brandywine on September 11, 1777. Whitcomb's Rangers started as a similar provisional unit on the Lake Champlain front in 1776. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Springfield. As Horry withdrew, Watsons mounted Tory dragoons advanced right behind, successfully crossing the causeway. (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.) For most counties, the town or township from which each of the companies were recruited is also given when known. Exercise Fine. The regiment was officially disbanded in January, 1783, although in reality, no regiment had existed since 1781. 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. With his cavalry defeated, Watson advanced his guards. Organized in spring 1777 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from York, Bucks, Northampton and Northumberland Counties. The regiment participated in the unsuccessful defense of New York City and was captured in part at Fort Washington (16 Nov., 1776). In 1782, John Alton served as a Private in the Pennsylvania Rangers on the Frontier in Captain John Dean's Company in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, with his brother Benjamin during Colonel Crawford's disastrous expedition against the Indians at Sandusky. 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. They occasionally operated with friendly Indians, but more commonly served the British as a substitute for traditional allies. 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. A third type of militia duty was in providing guards for supply depots located in Lancaster, Lebanon and Reading and at various prisoner of war camps. Pennsylvania, They marched from Hannastown, Pennsylvania, to New Jersey in the winter of 1776-77, and the following campaign season took part in a number of battles, including Paoli, Brandywine, White Marsh, Boundbrook, and Germantown as part of Brig. 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. Avoiding militia calls was not difficult. 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. They also fought at Bergen Neck. These actions earned the Rangers a reputation for ruthlessness. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Trussell, Jr. (Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1977). Upon reaching the ford site, the captain was killed with one shot from the Marions sharpshooter commander. RevWar '75 Continental Army Orderly Books Crown Forces Orderly Books Articles from Military Collector and Historian. 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. Soon, the British regiment marched into view. A system error has occurred. Men who served with Regiment and continued their service saw action at Yorktown and mopping up operations in South Carolina. Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872 from NARA microfilm publication T718. November 12, 1777 The Pennsylvania State Regiment is officially designated the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line. 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.