Gen. USA. 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. That evening both sides encamped, though Marion did order his night patrols to take shots at Watsons sentinels. This Revolutionary War Militia Arrangement provides a breakdown of the battalions and companies raised in each county and the names of the commanding officers. Unfortunately, neither this stick nor the carrot achieved the desired results. (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.) 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. Curtailing his attempt to clear the far side first, Watson formed his men in column and ordered the first column forward with its captain out front. They also fought at Bergen Neck. On October 14, under pressure from the British rejoined the main force at Ticonderoga. They were instead the numbers of the battalions from which the men came! 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. 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. The Regiment was authorized on December 9, 1775 in the Continental Army as the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion. L.G. In the original concept rangers were full-time soldiers employed by the colonial governments to "range" between fixed frontier fortifications as a reconnaissance system to provide early warning of hostile raids. In Pennsylvania, the Associators once again stepped up to fill these roles, but the cost and commitment of their near continuous service were growing burdensome. 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. For all intents the Regiment ceased to exist. Eight days later, Pennsylvania was directed to raise two additional companies, followed by a third. 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. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Shortly afterward, the Regiment helped delay Cornwallis before the Battle of Princeton. The 7th Pennsylvania was part of the force that attacked the blockhouse under Wayne at Bergen Heights on july 21, 1780. During the summer, the 11th Pennsylvania was assigned to the 2d Brigade of Anthony Wayne's division. For purposes of administration and drill, Frequently no substitute was furnished, but instead a If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. 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. Pennsylvania, It performed excellently
in a light infantry role at the battle of Harlem Heights on 16
September 1776, but Knowlton suffered a mortal wound. Reorganized on January 1, 1783 at Lancaster, to consist of 7 companies in the. Instead, it protected itself with the passage of temporary laws authorizing organized militias. Perry County, Volume Reel 0821 American Revolutionary War Service Records; Soldiers--United States--Registers Pennsylvania, Sixth Battalion (1776) Sixth Regiment: L - Z. March 1, 1777 The Pennsylvania State Regiment is officially activated as a unit. 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.". 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. The original 8th Pennsylvania Regiment was formed in July 1776 of men from Westmoreland and Bedford counties in western Pennsylvania. 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. Militias were paid out of Pennsylvania's then-functioning provincial treasury. If you have Pennsylvania ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War, you may be confused by the varying names for forms of service. 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 regiment was assigned to the 3d Pennsylvania Brigade of the Main Continental Army on 27 May 1777. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. 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. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Furloughed on June 11, 1783 at Philadelphia. The origin of the ranger
tradition lies in the seventeenth century wars between colonists
and Native American tribes. The mutiny failed and resulted in many of the soldiers receiving their discharges. In
fact, Major General Friedrich von Steuben wrote a separate drill
manual for them in late 1780. Substitute Fine was paid. It spent the rest of the year in garrison at West Point and probably wintered at Morristown. The regiment was in combat again on September 20 when, with the rest of Wayne's division, it was surprised at Paoli. The Regiment was authorized on April 8, 1777 in the Pennsylvania State Troops as Capt. Scouts abounded about the British regiment. In the original concept rangers
were full-time soldiers employed by the colonial governments to
"range" between fixed frontier fortifications as a reconnaissance
system to provide early warning of hostile raids. A covering force of riflemen were swept aside by Watsons artillery, allowing Watsons guard to ford the stream unopposed. In response to the Associators' building dissatisfaction, the Provincial Assembly passed a tax on men aged 16 to 50 who did not volunteer, and paid a bonus to those who did. 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. 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. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. It was the last regiment to leave Long Island. During the Seven
Years' War most European armies developed partisan corps (also
called frei korps). The Pennsylvania Navy was created in 1775 and, like the Pennsylvania Line, was filled by voluntary enlistment. The 11th Pennsylvania fought again at Germantown on October 4, 1777. Pennsylvania Line Regiments and other Pennsylvania Units. . A portion of the Pennsylvanians, most of them riflemen, served on the American left flank against the Hessians. 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. 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. Late that afternoon, he bivouacked south of Nelsons Ferry. PHMC. 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. In the Western Department, the unit helped construct and garrison Fort McIntosh on the Beaver River, and Fort Laurens on the Tuscarawas. Other examples of this type of service include the large numbers of Pennsylvania militia employed in the summer and autumn of 1777 to oppose the British invasion at Brandywine and on the flanks at the battle of Germantown, though in neither case did they actually see action. The regiment as a whole seems to have seen its first major action at the Battle of Brandywine, on September 11, 1777, and saw especially hard fighting, taking heavy casualties. Watson did not take long to initiate the fight. USA, New Berlin, October 28, 1776 The Battle of White Plains. The militia did provide a significant defensive force patrolling the south side of the Schuylkill River and engaged in occasional clashes with British outposts and scouting parties including heavy skirmishes at Whitemarsh on December 7. 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. Joseph Howell became acting regimental commander and the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment numbered only 13 other officers and 74 enlisted men present for duty at the end of the month. The infantry moved at a trot the entire way, stopping only to fire a volley to their rear. 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. At Mount Hope Swamp, Marion had his men disassemble the bridge. The east bank of the river was low, open, and swampy. John Pugh's Independent Company to guard Powder Mill at French Creek. You can always change this later in your Account settings. 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. 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. The regiment spent the winter months at Morristown, New Jersey, where it built up strength and was placed in Brig. They spent the winter at Valley Forge and fought at the battle of Monmoth on June 28, 1778. Northampton County Revolutionary War Militia 1st Battalion, 1777 Commanding Officers: Col. George Hubner; 4th Battalion, 1780 Commanding Officers: Lt. Col. Philip Beehm (Boehm) Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Leaving twenty dead from the engagement, he, the wagons, and the remainder of his regiment forced the ford. Gen. Anthony Wayne and Washington south in August where they fought at Brandywine on September 11, 1777. Pennsylvania, With his men in a panic and the number of wounded and suffering growing, Watson shelved his pride and addressed a letter to Marion not only requesting permission to send seven of his most seriously wounded through the lines but once again alluding to the fact that Watson believed Marion was conducting himself in a manner contrary to civilized war. Soldiers who served during the years 1777-1780, when the currency was depreciating, were paid in Revolutionary War Re-Enactors. Organized between January 31- August 19, 1777 at Lancaster as Capt. The regiment was merged into the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment on July 1, 1778. Many of the Invalids were subsequently pensioned. Similar groups, commonly known as Associators, soon sprang up in surrounding counties. It was Maxwell's command which fought the delaying action at Iron Hill on September 3, 1777, when Lt. Col. Francis Gurney was wounded. 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. RevWar '75 Continental Army Orderly Books Crown Forces Orderly Books Articles from Military Collector and Historian. Recipe Book - 1705. 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. Organized between January 2- late March 1776 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia City and Berks, Bucks Chester and Philadelphia Counties. With his cavalry defeated, Watson advanced his guards. The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 23 (No. Four men running forward to recover his body were also killed in sequence. Resend Activation Email. 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. Revolutionary War Records at FamilySearch. 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. Pennsylvania Militia and a chart showing how the units were organized is available. Watson rode back to rally his men only to have his horse shot from under him. 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. 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. 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. Organized in spring 1777 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia City and Berks, Chester, Philadelphia and Northumberland Counties. When active service occurred, it would have been for only sixty days at a time. Redesignated on September 16, 1776 as the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment. At the Battle of Monmouth, on June 28, 1778, it was one of the three Pennsylvania regiments in the force which Aaron Burr led in a late-afternoon assault on the flank of a British counterattacking column. Source:Egle, William Henry, 1898. With France entering the conflict on the side of the new United States in May, the British abandoned Philadelphia and moved across New Jersey to the more easily defended stronghold of New York City. The 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. January to June 1777 - During this period the unit was reorganized as the 6th Regiment with Colonel Henry Bicker as its commander. This account has been disabled. The term "Pennsylvania Line" referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to Pennsylvania at various times by theContinental Congress. 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. They also helped garrison Fort Pitt, Fort Henry, and a number of smaller posts. 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. During this time the brigade under General Thomas Conway, to which the 6th Regiment belonged, was reputed to be "the best instructed and disiplined" in the army. Less than a week later, on July 1, the unit was dissolved, and merged with elements of the 10th Pennsylvania. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. But they were engaged with one of the finest regiments in the British army and, thus, in the world. The Pennsylvania Lineoriginated in 1775 was organized into thirteen regiments and several independent companies. Organized between February 7- March 17, 1776 at Reading, Pennsylvania, with personnel from Berks County. Flying Camps were what we today might call mobile military reserves. Trussell, Jr. (Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1977). Another sixty-six enlisted men were sick, and thirty-one were on detached service. For an account of the arrangement and operations of the Pennsylvania Line soldiers see A detachment of riflemen served with Brig. On 22 July 1778 the regiment was re-assigned to the 2d Pennsylvania Brigade. 23, No. The 7th Pennsylvania fought at Middlebrook, New Jersey on June 17. The financial difficulties of the new government, difficulties that lasted into the 1790's, complicated the payment of troops. 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 Astute British commanders assigned regular British
officers to Rogers' Rangers for training in wilderness warfare
which they could then pass on to their normal regiments. To fight the enemy bravely with a prospect of victory is nothing; but to fight with intrepidity under the constant impression of defeat, and inspire irregular troops to do it, is a talent peculiar to yourself. Queens Loyal Rangers. The Regiment was authorized on January 30, 1776 in the continental Army as Capt. Most of the Associators now disbanded. Consolidated on November 6, 1777 with the, Bayard's Philadelphia Associators Regiment, Cadwalader's Philadelphia Associators Regiment, Matlack's Philadelphia Associators Rifle Battalion, Morgan's Philadelphia Associators Regiment, Moulder's Philadelphia Associators Artillery Company, Klotz's Lancaster County Militia Regiment, McAllister's York County Militia Regiment, Montgomery's Cumberland County Militia Regiment, Watt's Cumberland County Militia Regiment. Certificates of the funded or Militia Debt. Organized between June 25- July 20, 1775 to consist of 9 companies from Cumberland, Lancaster, Northumberland, Northampton, Bedford, Berks and York Counties. Sullivan in his campaign against the Iroquois in western Pennsylvania. Colonel Brodhead is placed in command of the consolidated forces and ordered by General Washington to withdraw to Manhattan. As the advance guard made its way across the river, Marion fell upon the rear guard. 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. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. The regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1783. The Regiment was authorized on January 22, 1777 in the Continental Army as Capt. Contrary to common belief, none of the lands granted to veterans by the federal government were located in Pennsylvania. Lower Bridge was only twelve miles away. To cross it would put Watson deep within the heartland of the Whig resistance. Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 (M246), and other historical records. (sic)They are officially uniformed in a blue regimental coat with red lining and facing and pewter buttons inscribed PSR. 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. Flying Camp from among the Pennsylvania Associators who took part in the New Jersey campaign in 1776. New Hampshire, The "Act to Regulate the Militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" passed 17 March 1777, and the the subsequent Militia Act passed March 20, 1780, together with their amendments, required all white men between the ages of 18 and 53 capable of bearing arms to serve two months of militia duty on a rotating basis. The 6th Pennsylvania was then posted there for the next three months and was involved in several brushes with the British. August 25-27, 1776 The Battle of Long Island. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Swamp to his left and right, passage blocked to the front and Marion closing in from the rear, Watson had to quickly choose whether to flee or fight. July to August 1777 - With the rest of Washington's army the 6th Regiment marched back and forth across New Jersey and into New York and Pennsylvania while trying to ascertain the destination of General Howe's army, which had embarked on the British fleet. 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. Later that evening, one of Marions scouts reconnoitered the camp and rode off to warn his brigadier. The names of these individuals will be found on the appeal lists. Reorganized and redesignated on January 1, 1777 as the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, to consist of 8 companies. This arrangement represents more of a means of organizing manpower from specific geographical localities rather than reflecting the activity of acting military units that were drawn from this manpower pool. These actions earned the Rangers a reputation for ruthlessness. This time, the question of military service was no longer optional. Another form of line service was with theCorps of Invalids. 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. U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900. It is notable, however, that during the summer campaign of 1776, thousands of Pennsylvania Associators saw active service in New Jersey. In this contest "Lord Sterling's Division & particularly Conway's Brigade" were seen to have "remarkably distinguished themselves." The regiment was authorized in December, 1775 as the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion. The 7th Pennsylvania marched with Brig. The 5th Pennsylvania Regiment was raised December 9, 1775 at Chester, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army. Bucks County Associators and a chart showing how the units were organized is available. Gen. Anthony Wayne's Division. USA. Light infantry companies
added to the regimental organization of each Continental Army
infantry regiment in 1778 also had European roots. Jacob Weaver's Independent Company, Consolidated on November 7, 1777 with the. Most of the muster rolls that have survived were made up just before the men were discharged from duty. It remained in the Western Department till the end of the war. Stephanie Hoover 2017 - All Rights Reserved, Directory of Pennsylvania Genealogical & Historical Societies, Pennsylvania Research Reference Materials. The west bank was a high bluff with the roadway passing down through a ravine to the bridge. The only unit capable, Lees Legion, had been recalled to the north to support Greene. On January 1, 1777, the survivors of the 5th Battalion, along with exchanged prisoners and new recruits, were reorganized into the 6th Pennsylvania. American Revolutionary War From Bedford County Despite the fact that a totally comprehensive collection is not available, a number of rosters of Patriots of the American Revolutionary War from Bedford County, Pennsylvania have survived. Still assigned to Greene's division, the PSR participates in the assault of the British right flank. Morning arrived and Watson again resumed his march with Marion leading. 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. Pierce's Certificates. Soldiers remaining in the regiment were reassigned to other units and eventually sent south to take part in the Yorktown Campaign. 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. 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. An Official Pennsylvania Government Website. Begin Main Content Area Bedford County Revolutionary War Militia. All white men, aged 15 to 53, were conscripted into military service - although there was no real punishment for those who refused. The whole force retreated to Isle Aux Noix and then to Crown Point, reached on July 1. Contrary to common belief, none of the lands granted to veterans by the federal government were located in Pennsylvania. On March 14, 1776, the 6th Pennsylvania Battalion was sent to New York City. The structure
of the legionary corps focused on providing close reconnaissance
and security patrols for a field army although various operational
and manpower problems hampered most of the regiments from achieving
complete success. An attempt to move the cannon and depress the muzzles led to the crews being run off by the highly accurate fire of the sharpshooters. Reorganized and re-designated 1 January 1, 1777 as the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment, to consist of 8 companies. He and Washington intended
it to be the companion to the famous "Blue Book", but
operational factors prevented its publication and distribution.