1st New Hampshire Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 1st New Hampshire Regiment was an infantry unit that came into existence on 22 May 1775 at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War
. John Stark
was the regiment's first commander. The unit fought at Chelsea Creek
and Bunker Hill
in 1775. On 1 January 1776, while engaged in the Siege of Boston
, the unit was renamed the 5th Continental Regiment. In the spring it was sent to Canada where the New Hampshire soldiers fought at Trois-Rivières
and later helped defend the area around Lake Champlain
. Late in the year, the 5th Continental Regiment was transferred south to George Washington
's main army where it fought at Trenton
.
On 1 January 1777 the unit was renamed the 1st New Hampshire Regiment and it saw action at Princeton
before being sent back to the Northern Department. The regiment fought at Saratoga
in the fall of 1777. That winter it was transferred to Washington's army and fought at Monmouth
in the summer of 1778. The troops participated in Sullivan's Expedition in the summer of 1779. The unit stayed with the main army until August 1781 when it was left to defend the Hudson Highlands
. The regiment rejoined the main army in late 1782 and was renamed the New Hampshire Regiment in early 1783. After first being reduced to a battalion, the unit was disbanded on 1 January 1784.
and Rockingham
counties of the colony of New Hampshire
at Medford
, Massachusetts
, commanded by John Stark
. The regiment was adopted into the Continental Army
on 14 June 1775, and assigned to Sullivan's Brigade on 22 July 1775. The regiment was redesignated as the 5th Continental Regiment
on 1 January 1776. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Bunker Hill
.
The 5th Continental Regiment
was formed when the 1st New Hampshire Regiment was redesignated on 1 January 1776, as eight companies in Sullivan's Brigade in the main Continental Army. On 27 April 1776, the regiment was relieved from the brigade and assigned to the Canadian Department. On 2 July 1776, the regiment was re-assigned to the Northern Department, and on 20 July 1776, it was assigned to Stark's Brigade. On 26 November 1776, the regiment was re-assigned to the main Continental Army and later assigned to Sullivan's Brigade.
On 1 January 1777, the 5th Continental Regiment
was re-organized to eight companies and redesignated as the 1st New Hampshire Regiment in Sullivan's Brigade of the main Continental Army
. The regiment was relieved from the brigade on 14 February 1777, and assigned to the Northern Department. On 28 April 1777, the regiment was assigned to the New Hampshire Brigade. On 20 October 1777, the brigade was re-assigned to the main Continental Army
and re-organized to nine companies on 23 December 1778. The brigade was re-assigned to the Highlands Department on 19 August 1781. Between 10 and 14 October 1781, the brigade was re-assigned to the Northern Department. On 12 November 1782, the brigade was re-assigned to the main Continental Army
. The regiment was redesignated as the New Hampshire Regiment
and re-organized as nine companies on 1 March 1783.
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. John Stark
John Stark
John Stark was a New Hampshire native who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He became widely known as the "Hero of Bennington" for his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.-Early life:John Stark was born in Londonderry, New...
was the regiment's first commander. The unit fought at Chelsea Creek
Battle of Chelsea Creek
The Battle of Chelsea Creek was the second military engagement of the Boston campaign of the American Revolutionary War. It is also known as the Battle of Noddle's Island, Battle of Hog Island and the Battle of the Chelsea Estuary...
and Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, mostly on and around Breed's Hill, during the Siege of Boston early in the American Revolutionary War...
in 1775. On 1 January 1776, while engaged in the Siege of Boston
Siege of Boston
The Siege of Boston was the opening phase of the American Revolutionary War, in which New England militiamen—who later became part of the Continental Army—surrounded the town of Boston, Massachusetts, to prevent movement by the British Army garrisoned within...
, the unit was renamed the 5th Continental Regiment. In the spring it was sent to Canada where the New Hampshire soldiers fought at Trois-Rivières
Battle of Trois-Rivières
The Battle of Trois-Rivières was fought on June 8, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. A British army under Quebec Governor Guy Carleton defeated an attempt by units from the Continental Army under the command of Brigadier General William Thompson to stop a British advance up the Saint...
and later helped defend the area around Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
. Late in the year, the 5th Continental Regiment was transferred south to George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
's main army where it fought at Trenton
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton took place on December 26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, after General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton, New Jersey. The hazardous crossing in adverse weather made it possible for Washington to lead the main body of the...
.
On 1 January 1777 the unit was renamed the 1st New Hampshire Regiment and it saw action at Princeton
Battle of Princeton
The Battle of Princeton was a battle in which General George Washington's revolutionary forces defeated British forces near Princeton, New Jersey....
before being sent back to the Northern Department. The regiment fought at Saratoga
Battle of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American War of Independence and are generally regarded as a turning point in the war. The battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, south of Saratoga, New York...
in the fall of 1777. That winter it was transferred to Washington's army and fought at Monmouth
Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court...
in the summer of 1778. The troops participated in Sullivan's Expedition in the summer of 1779. The unit stayed with the main army until August 1781 when it was left to defend the Hudson Highlands
Hudson Highlands
The Hudson Highlands are mountains on both sides of the Hudson River in the U.S. state of New York, between Newburgh Bay and Haverstraw Bay, which form the northern region of the New York - New Jersey Highlands....
. The regiment rejoined the main army in late 1782 and was renamed the New Hampshire Regiment in early 1783. After first being reduced to a battalion, the unit was disbanded on 1 January 1784.
History
The 1st New Hampshire Regiment was authorized as New Hampshire State Troops on 22 May 1775, and was organized as 10 companies of 800 volunteers from HillsboroughHillsborough County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 380,841 people, 144,455 households, and 98,807 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 149,961 housing units at an average density of 171 per square mile...
and Rockingham
Rockingham County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 277,359 people, 104,529 households, and 74,320 families residing in the county. The population density was 399 people per square mile . There were 113,023 housing units at an average density of 163 per square mile...
counties of the colony of New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
at Medford
Medford, Massachusetts
Medford is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States, on the Mystic River, five miles northwest of downtown Boston. In the 2010 U.S. Census, Medford's population was 56,173...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, commanded by John Stark
John Stark
John Stark was a New Hampshire native who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He became widely known as the "Hero of Bennington" for his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.-Early life:John Stark was born in Londonderry, New...
. The regiment was adopted into the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
on 14 June 1775, and assigned to Sullivan's Brigade on 22 July 1775. The regiment was redesignated as the 5th Continental Regiment
5th Continental Regiment
The 5th Continental Regiment was formed when the 1st New Hampshire Regiment was redesignated on 1 January 1776 as eight companies in Sullivan's Brigade in the main Continental Army. On 27 April 1776 the regiment was relieved from the brigade and assigned to the Canadian Department...
on 1 January 1776. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, mostly on and around Breed's Hill, during the Siege of Boston early in the American Revolutionary War...
.
The 5th Continental Regiment
5th Continental Regiment
The 5th Continental Regiment was formed when the 1st New Hampshire Regiment was redesignated on 1 January 1776 as eight companies in Sullivan's Brigade in the main Continental Army. On 27 April 1776 the regiment was relieved from the brigade and assigned to the Canadian Department...
was formed when the 1st New Hampshire Regiment was redesignated on 1 January 1776, as eight companies in Sullivan's Brigade in the main Continental Army. On 27 April 1776, the regiment was relieved from the brigade and assigned to the Canadian Department. On 2 July 1776, the regiment was re-assigned to the Northern Department, and on 20 July 1776, it was assigned to Stark's Brigade. On 26 November 1776, the regiment was re-assigned to the main Continental Army and later assigned to Sullivan's Brigade.
On 1 January 1777, the 5th Continental Regiment
5th Continental Regiment
The 5th Continental Regiment was formed when the 1st New Hampshire Regiment was redesignated on 1 January 1776 as eight companies in Sullivan's Brigade in the main Continental Army. On 27 April 1776 the regiment was relieved from the brigade and assigned to the Canadian Department...
was re-organized to eight companies and redesignated as the 1st New Hampshire Regiment in Sullivan's Brigade of the main Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
. The regiment was relieved from the brigade on 14 February 1777, and assigned to the Northern Department. On 28 April 1777, the regiment was assigned to the New Hampshire Brigade. On 20 October 1777, the brigade was re-assigned to the main Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
and re-organized to nine companies on 23 December 1778. The brigade was re-assigned to the Highlands Department on 19 August 1781. Between 10 and 14 October 1781, the brigade was re-assigned to the Northern Department. On 12 November 1782, the brigade was re-assigned to the main Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
. The regiment was redesignated as the New Hampshire Regiment
New Hampshire Regiment
the New Hampshire Regiment was formed when the 1st New Hampshire Regiment was redesignated on 1 March 1783 of nine companies of volunteers...
and re-organized as nine companies on 1 March 1783.
Service record
| Designation | Date | Brigade | Department |
| 1st New Hampshire Regiment | 22 May 1775 | none | none |
| 1st New Hampshire Regiment | 14 June 1775 | none | Main Army |
| 1st New Hampshire Regiment | 22 July 1775 | Sullivan's John Sullivan John Sullivan was the third son of Irish immigrants, a United States general in the Revolutionary War, a delegate in the Continental Congress and a United States federal judge.... |
Main Army |
| 5th Continental Regiment | 1 January 1776 | Sullivan's | Main Army |
| 5th Continental Regiment | 27 April 1776 | none | Canadian |
| 5th Continental Regiment | 2 July 1776 | none | Northern |
| 5th Continental Regiment | 20 July 1776 | Stark's John Stark John Stark was a New Hampshire native who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He became widely known as the "Hero of Bennington" for his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.-Early life:John Stark was born in Londonderry, New... |
Northern |
| 5th Continental Regiment | 26 November 1776 | Sullivan's | Main Army |
| 1st New Hampshire Regiment | 1 January 1777 | Sullivan's | Main Army |
| 1st New Hampshire Regiment | 14 February 1777 | none | Northern |
| 1st New Hampshire Regiment | 28 April 1777 | New Hampshire | Northern |
| 1st New Hampshire Regiment | 20 October 1777 | New Hampshire | Main Army |
| 1st New Hampshire Regiment | 19 August 1781 | New Hampshire | Highlands |
| 1st New Hampshire Regiment | 10-14 October 1781 | New Hampshire | Northern |
| 1st New Hampshire Regiment | 12 November 1782 | New Hampshire | Main Army |
| New Hampshire Regiment | 1 March 1783 | none | Main Army |
| New Hampshire Battalion | 22 June 1783 | none | Main Army |
| New Hampshire Battalion | 1 January 1784 | none | disbanded |
Members of the Regiment
- John StarkJohn StarkJohn Stark was a New Hampshire native who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He became widely known as the "Hero of Bennington" for his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.-Early life:John Stark was born in Londonderry, New...
- Joseph CilleyJoseph Cilley (state senator)Joseph Cilley was a New Hampshire state senator and general.Cilley was born in 1734 at Nottingham, New Hampshire to Captain J. Cilley of the Isles of Shoals and his wife Alice Rawlings. In 1758 Joseph Cilley joined Rogers' Rangers and served in northern New York and Canada...
- Henry DearbornHenry DearbornHenry Dearborn was an American physician, a statesman and a veteran of both the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Born to Simon Dearborn and Sarah Marston in North Hampton, New Hampshire, he spent much of his youth in Epping, where he attended public schools...
- Caleb StarkCaleb StarkCaleb Stark was the eldest son of General John Stark and his wife Molly Stark.-Biography:He was born December 3, 1759, at Dunbarton, New Hampshire. During the American Revolutionary War Caleb served with his father in the 1st New Hampshire Regiment at the Battle of Bunker Hill, Trenton and...
- John Simpson (soldier)John Simpson (soldier)Major John Simpson was an American Revolutionary War soldier from Deerfield, New Hampshire. He is one of several men traditionally described as having fired the first shot on the American side at the Battle of Bunker Hill....
- Captain Samuel Richards
- Isaac WymanIsaac WymanIsaac Wyman was born January 18, 1724 in Woburn, Massachusetts to Joshua Wyman and his wife Mary Pollard. In 1747 he married Sarah Wells of Franklin, Massachusetts...
- Nathaniel Hutchins (lieutenant and later captain, and good friend of Henry Dearborn)
- Simeon Powers
See also
- 1st New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment1st New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment1st New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment filled its ranks within two weeks of President Lincoln's call for 70,000 men on April 15, 1861. Between April 17 and 30, 1861, not less than 2,004 men volunteered to fight for the Union in the American Civil War...
(American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
) - 5th Continental Regiment5th Continental RegimentThe 5th Continental Regiment was formed when the 1st New Hampshire Regiment was redesignated on 1 January 1776 as eight companies in Sullivan's Brigade in the main Continental Army. On 27 April 1776 the regiment was relieved from the brigade and assigned to the Canadian Department...
- New Hampshire RegimentNew Hampshire Regimentthe New Hampshire Regiment was formed when the 1st New Hampshire Regiment was redesignated on 1 March 1783 of nine companies of volunteers...
External links
- History of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment
- Roster of 1st New Hampshire Officers
- First New Hampshire Regiment reenactment group
- Bibliography of the Continental Army in New Hampshire compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History