Lee's Legion
Encyclopedia
Lee's Legion was a military unit within the Continental Army
during the American Revolution
. It primarily served in the Southern Theater of Operations, and gained a reputation for efficiency and bravery on the battlefield.
The original unit was raised June 8, 1776, at Williamsburg, Virginia
, under the command of Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee for service with the 1st Continental Light Dragoons
of the Continental Army. On April 7, 1778, the Legion left the 1st CLDs and became known as Lee's Legion. It included elements of both cavalry
and foot
, and typically was uniformed with short green woolen jackets and white linen or doeskin pants, somewhat mimicking the British Legion in appearance. When Lord Cornwallis moved his British Army
into North Carolina
, Lee's Legion entered South Carolina
to protect that colony and to harass British expeditions. Often, the Legion served with Francis Marion
and Thomas Sumter
in these missions. In 1781, it participated in the Siege of Ninety Six
.
The Legion saw considerable action at the Battle of Camden
, Battle of Guilford Court House
, and the retaking of Savannah, Georgia
. It served through the Battle of Yorktown, which essentially ended the war. The Legion was disbanded at Winchester, Virginia
, on November 15, 1783.
United States Marshal Robert Forsyth
was a member of Lee's Legion.
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...
during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. It primarily served in the Southern Theater of Operations, and gained a reputation for efficiency and bravery on the battlefield.
The original unit was raised June 8, 1776, at Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
, under the command of Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee for service with the 1st Continental Light Dragoons
1st Continental Light Dragoons
The 1st Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Bland's Horse, was a mounted regiment of the Continental Army organized between 13 June and 10 September 1776 in Williamsburg, Virginia from eastern and northern Virginia for service with the Continental Army.The regiment was first authorized 8 June...
of the Continental Army. On April 7, 1778, the Legion left the 1st CLDs and became known as Lee's Legion. It included elements of both cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
and foot
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
, and typically was uniformed with short green woolen jackets and white linen or doeskin pants, somewhat mimicking the British Legion in appearance. When Lord Cornwallis moved his British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
into North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, Lee's Legion entered South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
to protect that colony and to harass British expeditions. Often, the Legion served with Francis Marion
Francis Marion
Francis Marion was a military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War. Acting with Continental Army and South Carolina militia commissions, he was a persistent adversary of the British in their occupation of South Carolina in 1780 and 1781, even after the Continental Army was driven...
and Thomas Sumter
Thomas Sumter
Thomas Sumter nicknamed the "Carolina Gamecock" , was a hero of the American Revolution and went on to become a longtime member of the Congress of the United States.-Early life:Thomas Sumter was born near Charlottesville in Hanover County, Virginia in 1734...
in these missions. In 1781, it participated in the Siege of Ninety Six
Ninety Six National Historic Site
Ninety Six National Historic Site, also known as Old Ninety Six and Star Fort, is a United States National Historic Site located about 60 miles south of Greenville, South Carolina...
.
The Legion saw considerable action at the Battle of Camden
Battle of Camden
The Battle of Camden was a major victory for the British in the Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War...
, Battle of Guilford Court House
Battle of Guilford Court House
The Battle of Guilford Court House was a battle fought on March 15, 1781 in Greensboro, the county seat of Guilford County, North Carolina, during the American Revolutionary War...
, and the retaking of Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
. It served through the Battle of Yorktown, which essentially ended the war. The Legion was disbanded at Winchester, Virginia
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester is an independent city located in the northwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the USA. The city's population was 26,203 according to the 2010 Census...
, on November 15, 1783.
United States Marshal Robert Forsyth
Robert Forsyth (U.S. Marshal)
Robert Forsyth was an American patriot who served as a Captain in Lee's Legion under Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee. He was selected by President George Washington to be the first United States Marshal for the state of Georgia and became the first U.S...
was a member of Lee's Legion.