2nd Massachusetts Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Massachusetts Regiment was a unit of the Massachusetts Line
in the 1777 establishment of the Continental Army
. It was a successor to a number of Massachusetts provincial regiments from the army's 1775 establishment (principally the 2nd Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment), and was known as the 23rd Continental Regiment during the 1776 establishment. It was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel John Thomas
outside of Boston, Massachusetts; the commanding officer for much of its existence was Colonel John Bailey. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill
, New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton
, Battle of Princeton
, Battle of Saratoga
and the Battle of Monmouth
. The regiment was disbanded on November 3, 1783 at West Point, New York
.
Massachusetts Line
The Massachusetts Line was a formation within the Continental Army. The term "Massachusetts Line" referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to Massachusetts at various times by the Continental Congress. These, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states,...
in the 1777 establishment of 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...
. It was a successor to a number of Massachusetts provincial regiments from the army's 1775 establishment (principally the 2nd Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment), and was known as the 23rd Continental Regiment during the 1776 establishment. It was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel John Thomas
John Thomas (general)
John Thomas was an American doctor and soldier from Massachusetts who became a major general in the Continental Army. He was a leader during the siege of Boston. Thomas briefly commanded the withdrawal from Canada after the unsuccessful invasion by the Continental Army. He died from smallpox...
outside of Boston, Massachusetts; the commanding officer for much of its existence was Colonel John Bailey. The regiment would see 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...
, New York Campaign, Battle of 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...
, Battle of 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....
, Battle of 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...
and the Battle of 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...
. The regiment was disbanded on November 3, 1783 at West Point, New York
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
.
External links
- Bibliography of the Continental Army in Massachusetts compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History
- Modern 2nd Massachusetts Regiment (recreated)