A militiaman called for active duty who found such duty inconvenient was permitted to hire a Substitute to march and fight in his stead. The Regiment was authorized on January 30, 1776 in the continental Army as Capt. Minute Men, on call for special duty at short notice, but no evidence of the existence of such a corps in Pennsylvania survives. The traditional ranger usage reached its peak during the French and Indian War. New Hampshire, The Regiment was authorized on July 11, 1776 in the Continental Army as a Battalion for frontier defense in the, Designated on July 20, 1776 as Mackay's Battalion. The Continental Army authorized several of these formations in 1777 and 1778, primarily as a vehicle to employ European volunteers who could not be inserted into existing regiments without provoking major arguments over rank, or because of language barriers. [1] For a full account of the social factors and legislation that this article draws from, see Arthur J. Alexander, "Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Militia," Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 69:1 (January 1945 ), 15-25. In fact, Major General Friedrich von Steuben wrote a separate drill manual for them in late 1780. All white men, aged 15 to 53, were conscripted into military service - although there was no real punishment for those who refused. Resend Activation Email. 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 Regiment was authorized on September 16, 1776 in the Continental Army as the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment. The origin of the ranger tradition lies in the seventeenth century wars between colonists and Native American tribes. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Navy veterans were not eligible for grants of Donation Land. Contrary to myth, the light troops in the Continental Army overwhelmingly followed European doctrinal concepts. The colonel of the 13th, 23-year-old Walter Stewart, became the Second's new commander. 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. When spring came, the regiment was again actively engaged in patrols and skirmishes with British forays from New York. RootsWeb is funded and supported by The 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment was raised, on December 9, 1775, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army. Washington County Genealogy PAGenWeb Project, a respository for genealogy or genealogical research and original source documents for families in Washington Co PA. Washington County Rangers on the Frontiers 1778-1783 The following is a brief explanation of the differences between these branches of service. 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. Associators remained independent of the Continental (Pennsylvania) Line which was comprised of regular, enlisted infantrymen. "Light Horse Harry" Lee of Virginia (the father of Robert E. Lee) raised the only American-born unit under this concept. The Pennsylvania Militia was organized under an act of March 7, 1777, which provided for compulsory enrollment by the constables of all able-bodied male whites between the ages of eighteen and fifty-three. The whole force retreated to Isle Aux Noix and then to Crown Point, reached on July 1. The regiment was furloughed January 17, 1781 at Trenton, New Jersey and disbanded on January 1, 1783. It was the last regiment to leave Long Island. 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. After the war he became the Commander of the First American Regiment, for a time they only infantry unit in the fledgling army of the independent United States. Each partisan unit in the Continental Army, however, had a unique organizational structure. In the mid 1700s, Capt. The regiment spent the winter months at Morristown, New Jersey, where it built up strength and was placed in Brig. In January 1776, the eight companies of the newly-formed battalion began leaving the state to participate in Benedict Arnold's ill-fated attempt to capture Quebec. Organized between July 15- September 15, 1776 at Kittanning to consist of 8 companies from Westmoreland, Bedford and Cumberland Counties. In October it participated in Anthony Wayne's defeat of the British at Valcour Island, but otherwise had an uneventful tour of garrison duty. All of these muster rolls and military returns have been published in the Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Volume 1 (Microfilm Roll 2069) and images of the originals appear on Microfilm Roll #580-587. . Contrary to common belief, none of the lands granted to veterans by the federal government were located in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Lineoriginated in 1775 was organized into thirteen regiments and several independent companies. This screenplay/novella describes Captain Philips Pennsylvania Rangers and their action against Great Britain. 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. An online listing of officers in the Frontier rangers from Northumberland County, Pa., 1778-1783 Statement of Responsibility: by Paul W. Myers Authors: Myers, Paul W. (Main Author) Format: Books/Monographs Language: English Publication: Apollo, Pennsylvania : Closson Press, c1988 Physical: 58, [1] p. Subject Class: 974.831 M2 Series: Pennsylvania archives. Mifflin' Brigade re-designated on October 8, 1776 as Stirling's Brigade. 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 Major Joseph McGerraugh 4th Battalion, 1778 Commanding Officers: Col. Benjamin Davis In formal battles it provided unblemished flank security, but it was even better in rear battle by conducting deep raids against British logistical bases. The Regiment was authorized on September 16, 1776 in the Continental Army as the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment. The few present were able to man a section of the army's first line of defense at Whitemarsh in early December, before moving with the rest of Washington's forces into the legendary winter encampment at Valley Forge. To view a digital version of Vol. To each of her line soldiers, who served to the end of the war, Pennsylvania granted Colonel John Bull was appointed colonel on May 2, 1777, but was succeeded on June 17 by Colonel Walter Stewart. 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 calledPierce's Certificates. Frequently no substitute was furnished, but instead a The 12th Pennsylvania Regiment also known as Northumberland Defense Battalion was raised August 23, 1776 at Sunbury, Pennsylvania as a state militia regiment and later for service with the Continental Army. These nine companies were to form a battalion to be commanded by Col. William Thompson of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) Law enforcement officials seized dark clothing, medical gloves, a flashlight and other items from a Pennsylvania home where they arrested a graduate student charged with stabbing four University of Idaho students to death, according to newly unsealed court documents. Other units in the Continental Army either used the term ranger in their designation or were commonly called rangers, but did not serve in that capacity in the traditional sense. The young officer, nicknamed "The Irish Beauty" by the ladies of Philadelphia, was a close friend of Anthony Wayne's and well acquainted with Washington as well. Relieved on May 19, 1778 from the 2nd Pennsylvania Brigade and assigned to the. The regiment spent the winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge and took part in the Battle of Monmouth (28 June) the following summer. Please reset your password. The two dismounted troops armed and equipped as light infantry provided a defensive element to protect the camp from enemy surprise attack, and also provided a base of fire around which the mounted elements could maneuver. Organized in spring 1777 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Westmoreland, Lancaster, Chester, Philadelphia and Cumberland Counties. On New Year's Day, 1781, members of the 6th Pennsylvania joined the mutiny of the Pennsylvania regiments then quartered at Morristown. Harmar would remain in this position until 1780. The Pennsylvania Navy was created in 1775 and, like the Pennsylvania Line, was filled by voluntary enlistment. Frontier Rangers from Northumberland County, PA, 1778-1783 Paperback - January 1, 1988 by Paul W. Myers (Author) 2 ratings See all formats and editions Paperback $15.00 1 Used from $47.45 1 New from $15.00 Print length 59 pages Language English Publisher Closson Press Publication date January 1, 1988 ISBN-10 0933227981 ISBN-13 978-0933227989 Pierce's Certificates. William Hendrick's and Mathew Smith's companies each additionally served in: On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution calling for the raising of six companies of expert riflemen from Pennsylvania, two from Maryland, and two from Virginia. In March 1777, this indeed occurred. For line troops, neither the type of service rendered nor the term of enlistment was uniform. Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Militia and a chart showing how the units were organized is available. 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. In contrast, however, they received uniforms and arms from the state. Later, some of the 11th Pennsylvania took part in the patrol actions in New Jersey, which marked the spring and summer of 1777. In fact, his memoirs published in 1716 by a son are the first American military manual. After wintering at Valley Forge the regiment was assigned to the Western Department, headquartered at Fort Pitt. Col. Henry Bicker was appointed in his place but did not actually join the regiment until the following October. USA. Only during a brief period in the winter of 1777-1778 did the Continental Army experiment with the idea of employing them as a shock force. They occasionally operated with friendly Indians, but more commonly served the British as a substitute for traditional allies. Add to Print List Remove from Print List Notes. At Brandywine, the women of the 6th Pennsylvania were cited for their bravery under fire while bringing water to the men. 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