Massachusetts Line
Encyclopedia
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, formed the Continental Line. The concept was particularly important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state.
In the course of the war, 59 infantry regiments were assigned to the Massachusetts Line. This included the 27 provincial regiments of 1775, the 16 numbered Continental regiments of 1776, the 15 Massachusetts regiments of 1777, and Jackson’s Additional Continental Regiment, which later became the 16th Massachusetts Regiment.
temporary control over certain military decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These “dictatorial powers” included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large.
Early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to David Henley of Massachusetts, who accepted. Henley had formerly performed the duties of an adjutant general on the staffs of Generals William Heath
and Joseph Spencer
, and was briefly lieutenant colonel of the 5th Massachusetts Regiment.
Washington also offered command of an additional regiment to William Raymond Lee of Massachusetts, who accepted. In 1776, Lee had been the major of John Glover’s famous Marblehead regiment, the 14th Continental Regiment
.
Finally, Washington offered command of an additional regiment to Henry Jackson
of Massachusetts, who accepted. These three regiments were raised in Massachusetts in the spring of 1777. Much of the recruiting for them was done in the Boston area, which until then had been unable to raise troops because of the British occupation.
Henley’s and Lee’s Regiments were consolidated with Henry Jackson’s Regiment on April 9, 1779. Jackson’s Regiment was allotted to the Massachusetts Line on July 24, 1780, and officially designated the 16th Massachusetts Regiment
. The 16th Massachusetts Regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1781. Colonel Jackson remained in service until 1784, however, and commanded the last remaining regiment in the Continental Army.
from western Massachusetts, raised in 1776 for the defense of Canada, was an example of such an “extra” regiment.
New Hampshire
. Massachusetts regiments had an official establishment of 599 officers and men in ten companies (but five regiments had an eleventh company). The troops were enlisted to serve until December 31, 1775.
The commissions of all Massachusetts officers were dated May 19, 1775.
Subsequently the regiments were numbered, although in Massachusetts the regiment was commonly identified by the name of its colonel.
urged that the Congress
assume responsibility for the provincial troops of New Hampshire
, Massachusetts
, Rhode Island
, and Connecticut
, that were blockading Boston. This was done on June 14, 1775,
and these troops were designated the Continental Army. George Washington was selected as commander in chief of this force, and all other Continental Army troops, the following day.
.
, of Shrewsbury
, who was the commanding general of the Massachusetts Bay provincial forces. His general authority over the troops from the other New England
colonies was acknowledged, and he commanded the patriot army at Boston until the arrival of George Washington at Cambridge on July 3, 1775. On June 17, 1775, Ward was made a major general
in the Continental Army - the first appointment in that grade. Command of the regiment passed to its next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel
Jonathan Ward, of Southborough
, who was promoted to the rank of colonel
on that date. In August 1775, Ward's Regiment was designated "The 32d Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, of Kingston
, who was the lieutenant general
(second in command) of the Massachusetts Bay provincial forces. Thomas was made a Continental brigadier general on June 22, 1775. The regiment’s lieutenant colonel, John Bailey, of Hanover
, then assumed command. Bailey was promoted to the rank of colonel on July 1, 1775, and the regiment became Bailey’s Regiment. In August 1775, Bailey's Regiment was designated "The 35th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Walker's Regiment was designated "The 22d Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
until its disbandment.
Whitcomb, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Whitcomb's Regiment was designated "The 23d Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, of Uxbridge
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Read's Regiment was designated "The 20th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, who left the service on September 15, 1775. From then until the end of the year the regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Israel Hutchinson, of Danvers
. In August 1775, Mansfield's Regiment was designated "The 19th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Danielson's Regiment was designated "The 18th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, of Pepperell
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Prescott's Regiment was designated "The 10th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, of Andover
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Frye's Regiment was designated "The 1st Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Bridge's Regiment was designated "The 27th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
12th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 12th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment contained eleven companies and
had an official establishment of 658 officers and men. It was commanded by Colonel John
Paterson, of Lenox
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Paterson's Regiment was designated "The 26th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
until its disbandment.
, of Oxford
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Learned's Regiment was designated "The 4th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill
, June 17, 1775, and died July 3, 1775. On that date the regiment’s commander, Lieutenant Colonel William Bond, was promoted to the rank of colonel and the regiment became Bond’s Regiment. In August 1775, Bond's Regiment was designated "The 37th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, of Framingham
and Sudbury
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Nixon's Regiment was designated "The 5th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Fellows' Regiment was designated "The 8th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
. In August 1775, Doolittle's Regiment was designated "The 24th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Jonathan Brewer's Regiment was designated "The 6th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, who was dismissed from the service on October 24, 1775. The next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Putnam
, of Brookfield
, assumed command of the regiment and served until the end of the year. In August 1775, David Brewer's Regiment was designated "The 9th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, of Roxbury
. Heath was made a Continental brigadier general on June 22, 1775, and command of the regiment passed to Lieutenant Colonel John Greaton. Greaton was promoted to the rank of colonel on July 1, 1775, and the regiment became Greaton’s Regiment. In August 1775, Greaton's Regiment was designated "The 36th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, of South Hadley
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Woodbridge's Regiment was designated "The 25th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Glover's Regiment was designated "The 21st Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment. In December 1775, Glover's Regiment was stationed at Beverly
to defend the naval base located there.
, of Newbury
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Little's Regiment was designated "The 17th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, who was dismissed from the service on August 19, 1775. Command of the regiment passed to its next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin
, of Woburn
. In August 1775, Gerrish's Regiment was designated "The 38th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
. Phinney served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Phinney's Regiment was designated "The 31st Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, of Amherst, New Hampshire
. Sargent served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Sargent's Regiment was designated "The 28th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of Boston
until its disbandment.
, 3 from New Hampshire, 16 from Massachusetts, 2 from Rhode Island, and 5 from Connecticut.
Each regiment was to have an official establishment of 728 officers and men in eight companies. The regiments were to receivenumbers instead of names. For the campaign of 1776 Massachusetts was to provide the 3d, 4th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 23d, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th Continental Regiments.
The reduction of the Massachusetts Line from an establishment of 16,468 officers and men in 275 companies to an establishment of 11,648 officers and men in 128 companies required a difficult reorganization.
The numbered Continental regiments raised in Massachusetts were widely scattered in the campaign of 1776. In April, following the British evacuation of Boston
, five regiments (the 6th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 27th) were ordered to remain in Massachusetts, four of them occupying Boston. Three of these regiments (the 14th, 16th, and 27th) joined the Main Army in July. The 6th and 18th regiments joined the Northern Army in August, and never rejoined the Main Army. Of the eleven regiments that moved to New York City
in April, three regiments (the 15th, 24th, and 25th) were ordered to Canada
as reinforcements. One of these regiments (the 15th) rejoined the Main Army in November, and served at Trenton
and Princeton
. The 24th and 25th regiments, that had served in the Northern theater, also rejoined the Main Army in November, but marched directly to the army's winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey
. Finally, the 7th Continental Regiment, which served in Parsons'
Brigade, was assigned to the Highlands Department in November.
commanded this regiment throughout 1776. As a regiment on the right wing of the army at Boston
, it was ordered to furnish details for the Fortification of Dorchester Heights
. Learned's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
in April. It served at Trenton
and Princeton
.
commanded this regiment until August 9, 1776, the date on which he was made a Continental brigadier general. On that date the regiment’s next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Nixon, assumed command with
the rank of colonel. Nixon's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
in April. It served at Trenton
and Princeton
.
, it was ordered to furnish details for the Fortification of Dorchester Heights
. Whitcomb's regiment occupied Boston
in April 1776. In August it was ordered to northern New York to oppose Carleton's counteroffensive
, and never rejoined the Main Army.
was formed by consolidating the remnants of Darby's and Nowell's Companies, Scammon's Regiment, and the remnant of Morse's Company, Paterson's Regiment, with the remnant of Prescott's Regiment. Colonel William Prescott
commanded this regiment throughout 1776. Prescott's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
in April. In November it was stationed in the Hudson Highlands
.
was formed from the remnant of Little’s Regiment. The old regiment had to be reduced from ten companies to eight. Colonel Moses Little
commanded this regiment throughout 1776. Little's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
in April. It served at Trenton
and Princeton
.
was formed by consolidating the remnants of Walker's Regiment and David Brewer's Regiment with the remnant of Read's Regiment. Colonel Joseph Read
commanded this regiment throughout 1776. As a regiment on the right wing of the army at Boston
, it was ordered to furnish details for the Fortification of Dorchester Heights
. Read's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
in April. It served at Trenton
and Princeton
.
was formed from the remnant of Glover’s Regiment. The old regiment had to be reduced from ten companies to eight. Colonel John Glover commanded this regiment throughout 1776. Glover's regiment continued to be stationed at Beverly
until July, when it was ordered to join the Main Army at New York City
. The regiment served at Trenton
.
was formed by consolidating the remnants of Sayer's and Sullivan's Companies, Scammon's Regiment, with the remnant of Paterson's Regiment (less the remnants of Morse's and Watkins' Companies). Colonel John Paterson commanded this regiment throughout 1776. Paterson's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
in April. In the same month it was ordered to reinforce the American army in Canada
. In November the regiment rejoined the Main Army and served at Trenton
and Princeton
.
in April 1776. It was ordered to join the Main Army at New York City
in July. The regiment served at Trenton
and Princeton
.
in April 1776. In August it was ordered to northern New York to oppose Carleton's counteroffensive
, and never rejoined the Main Army.
was formed by consolidating the remnant of Fellows' Regiment, and the remnants of Benson's and Bradford's Companies, Cotton's Regiment, with the remnant of Ward's Regiment. Colonel Jonathan Ward commanded this regiment throughout 1776. As a regiment on the right wing of the army at Boston
, it was ordered to furnish details for the Fortification of Dorchester Heights
. Ward's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
in April. It served at Trenton
and Princeton
.
, it was ordered to furnish details for the Fortification of Dorchester Heights
. Bailey's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
in April. It served at Trenton
and Princeton
.
in April. In the same month it was ordered to reinforce the American army in Canada
. The regiment rejoined the Main Army in November, marching directly to Morristown
.
was formed by consolidating the remnants of Mayhew's Company, Cotton's Regiment, and Egery's Company, Danielson's Regiment, with the remnant of Bond’s Regiment (less the remnant of Crafts' Company). Colonel William Bond commanded this regiment until his death on August 31, 1776. The regiment’s next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ichabod Alden
, held command until the end of the year. Bond's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
in April. In the same month it was ordered to reinforce the American army in Canada
. The regiment rejoined the Main Army in November, marching directly to Morristown
.
was formed from the remnant of Gerrish’s Regiment. The old regiment had to be reduced from ten companies to eight. This regiment was commanded by Colonel Loammi Baldwin
, who was promoted to that rank on January 1, 1776. Baldwin's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
in April. It served at Trenton
and Princeton
.
in April. It served at Trenton
and Princeton
.
were disbanded at Cambridge, Massachusetts, on December 31, 1775.
, 12 from Pennsylvania, 1 from Delaware
, 8 from Maryland
, 15 from Virginia
, 9 from North Carolina
, 6 from
South Carolina
, and 1 from Georgia
. The quotas for states outside New England included regiments that had been on the Continental establishment earlier, but the term Continental Line was now broadened to include the lines of all the states.
(Vose’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating two companies formed from the 6th Continental Regiment, and two companies formed from the 18th Continental Regiment, with the remnant of the 15th Continental Regiment. The commanding officer, Colonel Joseph Vose, had been the major of Greaton’s Regiment in 1775 and the lieutenant colonel of the 24th Continental Regiment in 1776. As the 15th Continental Regiment, reorganizing as the 1st Massachusetts Regiment, it served in St. Clair's
Brigade at Princeton
. Reorganization was completed in the spring of 1777, and the regiment was ordered to Peekskill
in the Highlands
. On July 10, 1777 it was assigned to the 2d Massachusetts Brigade under Brigadier General Glover. The regiment served in the Saratoga campaign
, then marched south to join Washington
in the Middle Department
. It served in the Philadelphia campaign
and wintered at Valley Forge
. In 1778 it served in the Monmouth campaign
, then at Rhode Island
. Following Rhode Island
the regiment was stationed in the Highlands
, but in 1781 its light company was assigned to Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Vose's Battalion, Corps of Light Infantry, which served in the Yorktown campaign
. The regiment was disbanded at West Point, New York
, on November 3, 1783.
(Bailey’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnants of the 7th Continental Regiment; Peters' Company, 13th Continental Regiment; and Clap's Company, 21st Continental Regiment; with the remnant of the 23d Continental Regiment. (Peters' and Clap's Companies were reorganized, respectively, as Warren's and Dunham's Companies, Bailey's Regiment). The commanding officer, Colonel John Bailey, had been the lieutenant colonel, later the colonel, of Thomas’s Regiment in 1775 and colonel of the 23d Continental Regiment in 1776. As the 23d Continental Regiment, reorganizing as the 2d Massachusetts Regiment, it served in Glover's Brigade at Princeton
. Reorganization was completed in the spring of 1777, and the regiment was ordered to the Northern Department
. In the summer of 1777 it was assigned to the 4th Massachusetts Brigade under Brigadier General Learned
. The regiment retreated toward Saratoga
after the American evacuation of Fort Ticonderoga in July, and marched under Arnold
to the relief of Fort Stanwix
in August. Following the Saratoga campaign the regiment marched south to join Washington
in the Middle Department
. It served in the Philadelphia campaign
and wintered at Valley Forge
. In 1778 it served in the Monmouth campaign
. After November 1778 the regiment was stationed in the Highlands
, but in 1781 its light company was assigned to Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Vose's Battalion, Corps of Light Infantry, which served in the Yorktown campaign
. The regiment was disbanded at West Point, New York
, on November 3, 1783.
(Greaton’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnant of the 25th Continental Regiment with the remnant of the 24th Continental Regiment (less the remnants of Bent's and Whiting's Companies; the latter were reorganized as Fairfield's and Pillsbury's Companies, Wigglesworth's Regiment). The commanding officer, John Greaton, had been the lieutenant colonel of Heath’s
Regiment, and its commander, in 1775. In 1776 he commanded the 24th Continental Regiment.
(Shepard’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnant of King's Company, 21st Continental Regiment, with the remnant of the 3d Continental Regiment. (King's Company was redesignated Alvord's Company). The commanding officer, William Shepard
, had been the lieutenant colonel of Danielson’s Regiment in 1775 and the lieutenant colonel of the 3d Continental Regiment in 1776. He was wounded at the Battle of Pell's Point
on October 18, 1776.
(Putnam’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnant of Walbridge's Company, 13th Continental Regiment, with the remnant of the 27th Continental Regiment. (Walbridge's Company was reorganized as Goodale's Company). The commanding officer, Rufus Putnam
, had been the lieutenant colonel of David Brewer’s Regiment in 1775.
(Nixon’s Regiment) was formed by reconstituting the remnant of the 4th Continental Regiment as a regiment to serve for the duration. The commanding officer, Thomas Nixon, had been the lieutenant colonel of John Nixon’s
Regiment in 1775 and lieutenant colonel of the 4th Continental Regiment in 1776. He was promoted to colonel on August 9, 1776. Colonel Benjamin Tupper
was commanding officer of the 6th Massachusetts Regiment from January 1, 1783 until June 12, 1783.
(Alden’s Regiment) was a new organization, raised under the Eighty-Eight Battalion Resolve of September 16, 1776. The commanding officer, Ichabod Alden
, had been the lieutenant colonel of Cotton’s Regiment in 1775 and lieutenant colonel of the 25th Continental Regiment in 1776. He was killed at Cherry Valley
, New York, on November 10, 1778, and his lieutenant colonel, William Stacy
was taken prisoner.
(Michael Jackson’s Regiment) was formed by reconstituting the remnant of the 16th Continental Regiment as a regiment to serve for the duration. The
commanding officer had been the major of Gardner’s Regiment in 1775, and had been wounded on June 17, 1775, at the Battle of Bunker Hill
. In 1776 he had been lieutenant colonel of the 16th Continental Regiment and had been wounded at Montressor’s Island on September 24, 1776.
(Wesson’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnant of the 21st Continental Regiment (less the remnants of Clap's and King's Companies) with the remnant of the 26th Continental Regiment. The commanding officer, James Wesson, had been the major of Gerrish’s Regiment in 1775 and the lieutenant colonel of the 26th Continental Regiment in 1776. He was wounded on June 28, 1778, at the Battle of Monmouth
, New Jersey.
(Marshall’s Regiment) was a new organization, raised under the Eighty-Eight Battalion Resolve of September 16, 1776. The commanding officer, Thomas Marshall, had been an officer in the Massachusetts militia
. Colonel Benjamin Tupper
was commanding officer of the 10th Massachusetts Regiment from January 1, 1781 until January 1, 1783.
(Francis’s Regiment, later Tupper’s Regiment) was a new organization, raised under the Eighty-Eight Battalion Resolve of September 16, 1776. The regiment’s first commander, Colonel Ebenezer Francis, had been a captain of Mansfield’s Regiment in 1775. Colonel Francis was killed at the Battle of Hubbardton
, Vermont, on July 7, 1777, and was succeeded by Benjamin Tupper
. In 1775 Colonel Tupper had been the major of Fellows’ Regiment and later its lieutenant colonel. In 1776 he had been lieutenant colonel of the 21st Continental Regiment. Tupper was colonel of the 11th Massachusetts Regiment from July 7, 1777 until January 1, 1781.
(Samuel Brewer’s Regiment) was formed by reconstituting the remnant of the 18th Continental Regiment as a regiment to serve for the duration (less two companies consolidated with the 15th Continental Regiment, which became the 1st Massachusetts Regiment
). The commanding officer was dismissed from the service on September 17, 1778. For the remainder of its existence the regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ebenezer Sproat
(aka Sprout), who had been the major of Cotton’s Regiment in 1775 and the major of the 3d Continental Regiment in 1776.
(Wigglesworth’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnants of Bent's and Whiting's Companies, 24th Continental Regiment, with the remnant of the 6th Continental Regiment (less two companies consolidated with the 15th Continental Regiment, which became the 1st Massachusetts Regiment
. The commanding officer, Colonel Edward Wigglesworth, had been a militia officer in 1776.
(Bradford’s Regiment) was a new organization, raised under the Eighty-Eight Battalion Resolve of September 16, 1776. The commanding officer, Gamaliel Bradford, had been a militia officer in 1776.
(Bigelow’s Regiment) was a new organization, raised under the Eighty-Eight Battalion Resolve of September 16, 1776. The commanding officer, Timothy Bigelow, was a captain of Ward’s Regiment and the major after June 17, 1775. He was captured at Quebec on December 31, 1775. In 1776 he was appointed major of the 21st Continental Regiment but was a prisoner at the time, was not exchanged until May 1776, and did not join the regiment that year.
, was disbanded at Morristown, New Jersey in February 1777.
The remnant of the 13th Continental Regiment, under Colonel Joseph Read
, was disbanded at Morristown, New Jersey, in January, 1777. However, the remnant of Peters' Company was consolidated with Bailey's Regiment and reorganized as Warren's Company; and the remnant of Walbridge's Company was consolidated with Putnam's Regiment and reorganized as Goodale's Company.
The remnant of the 14th Continental Regiment, under Colonel John Glover, was disbanded in eastern Pennsylvania on the last day of December, 1776. Glover later returned to the Continental service as a general officer and commanded one of the Continental Army’s Massachusetts brigades. His third in command, Major William Raymond Lee, became the colonel of Lee's Additional Continental Regiment
.
, the Congress acted to reduce the size and increase the tactical efficiency of the Continental Army. On May 27, 1778, it resolved that the number of infantry regiments be reduced from 88 to 80. The quota of regiments assigned to the states was 3 from New Hampshire, 15 from Massachusetts, 2 from Rhode Island, 8 from Connecticut, 5 from New York, 3 from New Jersey, 11 from Pennsylvania, 1 from Delaware, 8 from Maryland, 11 from Virginia, 6 from North Carolina, 6 from South Carolina, and 1 from Georgia. Under this reorganization, the Massachusetts quota was unchanged.
The official establishment of a regiment was reduced to 582 officers and men. Each regiment was to consist of nine rather than eight companies. The ninth company was to be a company of light infantry
, and was to be kept up to strength by drafting men from the regiment’s eight other companies if necessary. During the campaigning season, the light infantry companies of the regiments in a field army were to be combined into a special corps of light infantry.
Because the Continental Congress passed this resolve at the beginning of the campaigning season, it was nearly a year before this reorganization was completed. The reorganization of the Continental Line was finalized on March 9, 1779.
On July 24, 1780, Henry Jackson’s Additional Continental Regiment was officially redesignated the 16th Massachusetts Regiment.
, passed resolutions providing for what would be the last reorganization of the Continental Army before its final disbandment. The Congress determined that on January 1, 1781, the Continental Line was to be reduced from 80 regiments to 50. The quota of regiments assigned to the states was 2 from New Hampshire, 10 from Massachusetts, 1 from Rhode Island, 5 from Connecticut, 2 from New York, 2 from New Jersey, 6 from Pennsylvania, 1 from Delaware, 5 from Maryland, 8 from Virginia, 4 from North Carolina, 2 from South Carolina, and 1 from Georgia. In addition, 1 regiment (Colonel Moses Hazen’s
Canadian Regiment) was to be raised at large.
Under this reorganization, the Massachusetts quota was reduced from fifteen regiments to ten. Accordingly, the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Massachusetts Regiments were disbanded on January 1, 1781.
The official establishment of an infantry regiment was increased to 717 officers and men. Each regiment continued to have nine companies, including a light infantry company, but the companies were made larger. For the first time, each regiment was to have a permanent recruiting party of 1 lieutenant, 1 drummer, and 1 fifer. Thus, there were to be ten recruiting parties in Massachusetts to systematically find and forward recruits to the Massachusetts regiments in the field.
The preliminary peace treaty
was signed on November 30, 1782.
signed preliminary articles of peace with France
and Spain
on January 20, 1783, and, on February 4, 1783, Britain announced the cessation of hostilities.
The Continental Congress received the text of the preliminary peace treaty on March 13, 1783, and the Continental Congress proclaimed the cessation of hostilities on April 11, 1783. It ratified the preliminary peace treaty on April 15, 1783.
In General Orders issued at Newburgh, New York, April 18, 1783, Washington announced that the armistice would go into effect at noon, April 19, 1783 - the eighth anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord.
was signed in Paris on September 3, 1783.
On October 18, 1783, the Continental Congress proclaimed that Continental troops on furlough were to be discharged on November 3, 1783. The Main Army, with the exception of a small observation force in the Hudson Highlands under the command of General Henry Knox
, was disbanded on November 3, 1783. The disbanded units included the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th Massachusetts Regiments. After this date no part of the Massachusetts Line remained in the field, although the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Massachusetts Regiments remained on furlough and had not been formally disbanded.
The Northern Army was disbanded on November 5, 1783, and the Southern Army was disbanded on November 15, 1783. On the latter date the furloughed 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Massachusetts Regiments were formally disbanded, and the Massachusetts Line ceased to exist.
New York City
was evacuated by British troops on November 25, 1783. The
British fleet left New York City on December 4, 1783, and on the same day Washington bid farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern
.
.
The Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784.
The United States and Great Britain exchanged ratifications of the Treaty of Paris on May 12, 1784.
Jackson's Continental Regiment (The First American Regiment) was disbanded at West Point, New York, on June 2, 1784.
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
. These, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. The concept was particularly important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state.
In the course of the war, 59 infantry regiments were assigned to the Massachusetts Line. This included the 27 provincial regiments of 1775, the 16 numbered Continental regiments of 1776, the 15 Massachusetts regiments of 1777, and Jackson’s Additional Continental Regiment, which later became the 16th Massachusetts Regiment.
Additional regiments
Not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota, however. On December 27, 1776, the Continental Congress gave WashingtonGeorge 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...
temporary control over certain military decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These “dictatorial powers” included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large.
Early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to David Henley of Massachusetts, who accepted. Henley had formerly performed the duties of an adjutant general on the staffs of Generals William Heath
William Heath
William Heath was an American farmer, soldier, and political leader from Massachusetts who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War....
and Joseph Spencer
Joseph Spencer
Joseph Spencer was an American lawyer, soldier, and statesman from Connecticut. During the Revolutionary War, he served both as a delegate to the Continental Congress and as a major general in the Continental Army....
, and was briefly lieutenant colonel of the 5th Massachusetts Regiment.
Washington also offered command of an additional regiment to William Raymond Lee of Massachusetts, who accepted. In 1776, Lee had been the major of John Glover’s famous Marblehead regiment, the 14th Continental Regiment
14th Continental Regiment
The 14th Continental Regiment, also known as the Marblehead Regiment and Glover's Regiment, was raised as a Massachusetts militia regiment in 1775, and taken into the Continental Army establishment during the summer of 1775 as the 23rd Massachusetts Regiment. When the Continental Army was...
.
Finally, Washington offered command of an additional regiment to Henry Jackson
Henry Jackson (general)
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on 19 October 1747, Henry Jackson was the youngest son of Joseph and Susannah Jackson. Before the War for Independence, he was an officer of the First Corps of Cadets in Boston, which was disbanded during the British occupation...
of Massachusetts, who accepted. These three regiments were raised in Massachusetts in the spring of 1777. Much of the recruiting for them was done in the Boston area, which until then had been unable to raise troops because of the British occupation.
Henley’s and Lee’s Regiments were consolidated with Henry Jackson’s Regiment on April 9, 1779. Jackson’s Regiment was allotted to the Massachusetts Line on July 24, 1780, and officially designated the 16th Massachusetts Regiment
16th Massachusetts Regiment
The 16th Massachusetts Regiment also known as Henry Jackson's Additional Continental Regiment was raised on January 12, 1777 under Colonel Jackson at Boston, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Rhode Island...
. The 16th Massachusetts Regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1781. Colonel Jackson remained in service until 1784, however, and commanded the last remaining regiment in the Continental Army.
Extra regiments
Still other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units, also unrelated to a state quota, were raised as needed for special or temporary service. Porter's RegimentPorter's Regiment
The Porter's Regiment was raised on January 19, 1776 under Colonel Porter at Northampton, Massachusetts and Pittsfield, Massachusetts for one year of service. The regiment would see action during the Invasion of Canada. The regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1777 at Morristown, New...
from western Massachusetts, raised in 1776 for the defense of Canada, was an example of such an “extra” regiment.
Massachsetts Bay Provincial Regiments, 1775
On April 23, 1775, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress voted to raise a volunteer force of 13,600 men, and it called upon the other New England colonies for assistance in raising an army of 30,000 men. The Massachusetts provincials were raised in the spring of 1775 and were eventually formed into twenty-six infantry regiments. Massachusetts also took responsibility for a twenty-seventh regiment, originally raised inNew 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...
. Massachusetts regiments had an official establishment of 599 officers and men in ten companies (but five regiments had an eleventh company). The troops were enlisted to serve until December 31, 1775.
The commissions of all Massachusetts officers were dated May 19, 1775.
Subsequently the regiments were numbered, although in Massachusetts the regiment was commonly identified by the name of its colonel.
Adoption of the Massachusetts Line
The New England delegates to the Continental CongressContinental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
urged that the Congress
assume responsibility for the provincial troops 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...
, 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...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, and Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, that were blockading Boston. This was done on June 14, 1775,
and these troops were designated the Continental Army. George Washington was selected as commander in chief of this force, and all other Continental Army troops, the following day.
Regimental numbers in 1775
In an effort to weld the separate New England armies into a single "Continental" Army, on August 5, 1775, General Washington ordered that a board be convened to determine the rank of the regiments at Boston. The board was to consist of a brigadier general as moderator and six field officers as members. It completed its task on August 20, 1775, and reported its decision to Washington. The regiments of infantry in the Continental Army were accordingly numbered without reference to their colony of origin. There were thirty-nine "Regiments of Foot in the Army of the United Colonies." In General Orders, Washington often referred to his regiments by these numbers; and they appear in the strength reports compiled by Adjutant General Horatio GatesHoratio Gates
Horatio Lloyd Gates was a retired British soldier who served as an American general during the Revolutionary War. He took credit for the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga – Benedict Arnold, who led the attack, was finally forced from the field when he was shot in the leg – and...
.
1st Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 1st Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was initially commanded by General Artemas WardArtemas Ward
Artemas Ward was an American major general in the American Revolutionary War and a Congressman from Massachusetts...
, of Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 31,640 people, 12,366 households, and 8,693 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 12,696 housing units at an average density of...
, who was the commanding general of the Massachusetts Bay provincial forces. His general authority over the troops from the other New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
colonies was acknowledged, and he commanded the patriot army at Boston until the arrival of George Washington at Cambridge on July 3, 1775. On June 17, 1775, Ward was made a major general
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
in the Continental Army - the first appointment in that grade. Command of the regiment passed to its next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Jonathan Ward, of Southborough
Southborough, Massachusetts
Southborough is an affluent town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It incorporates the smaller villages of Cordaville, Fayville, and Southville. Its name is often informally shortened to Southboro, a usage seen on many area signs and maps. Its population was 9,767 at the 2010...
, who was promoted to the rank of colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
on that date. In August 1775, Ward's Regiment was designated "The 32d Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
2d Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 2d Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was initially commanded by General John ThomasJohn 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...
, of Kingston
Kingston, Massachusetts
Kingston is a coastal town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. According to the 2010 Census, it had a population of 12,629.-History:Before European settlers arrived in Kingston it was within the tribal home to the Wampanoag people...
, who was the lieutenant general
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
(second in command) of the Massachusetts Bay provincial forces. Thomas was made a Continental brigadier general on June 22, 1775. The regiment’s lieutenant colonel, John Bailey, of Hanover
Hanover, Massachusetts
Hanover is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 13,164 at the 2000 census.-History:The area of Hanover was first settled by English settlers in 1649 when William Barstow, a farmer, built a bridge along the North River at what is now Washington Street...
, then assumed command. Bailey was promoted to the rank of colonel on July 1, 1775, and the regiment became Bailey’s Regiment. In August 1775, Bailey's Regiment was designated "The 35th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
3d Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 3d Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Timothy Walker, of RehobothRehoboth, Massachusetts
Rehoboth is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 10,172 at the 2000 census.-History:It was incorporated in 1643 making it one of the earliest Massachusetts towns to be incorporated. The Rehoboth Carpenter Family is among the founding families...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Walker's Regiment was designated "The 22d Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
4th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 4th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Theophilus Cotton, of Plymouth, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Cotton's Regiment was designated "The 16th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of BostonSiege 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...
until its disbandment.
5th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 5th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment contained eleven companies and had an official establishment of 658 officers and men. It was commanded by Colonel AsaWhitcomb, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Whitcomb's Regiment was designated "The 23d Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
6th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 6th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Joseph ReadJoseph Read
Joseph Read was a soldier and a Colonel in the American Revolutionary War.-Early life:Read was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, the son of John and Lucy Read. He married Eunice Taft of Uxbridge on Nov 22, 1753...
, of Uxbridge
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Uxbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It was first settled in 1662, incorporated in 1727 at Suffolk County, and named for the Earl of Uxbridge. Uxbridge is south-southeast of Worcester, north-northwest of Providence, and southwest of Boston. It is part of...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Read's Regiment was designated "The 20th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
7th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 7th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel John Mansfield, of LynnLynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
, who left the service on September 15, 1775. From then until the end of the year the regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Israel Hutchinson, of Danvers
Danvers, Massachusetts
Danvers is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. Located on the Danvers River near the northeastern coast of Massachusetts, Danvers is most widely known for its association with the 1692 Salem witch trials, and for its famous asylum, the Danvers State Hospital.-17th century:The land...
. In August 1775, Mansfield's Regiment was designated "The 19th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
8th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 8th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment contained eleven companies and had an official establishment of 658 officers and men. It was commanded by Colonel Timothy Danielson, of BrimfieldBrimfield, Massachusetts
Brimfield is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,609 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Danielson's Regiment was designated "The 18th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
9th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 9th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment contained eleven companies and had an official establishment of 658 officers and men. It was commanded by Colonel William PrescottWilliam Prescott
William Prescott was an American colonel in the Revolutionary War who commanded the rebel forces in the Battle of Bunker Hill...
, of Pepperell
Pepperell, Massachusetts
Pepperell is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,497 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of East Pepperell.-History:...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Prescott's Regiment was designated "The 10th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
10th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 10th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel James FryeJames Frye
James Frye was a colonial soldier. He filled several local offices, served at the capture of Louisburg in 1745, and commanded the Essex regiment at the beginning of the Revolution, taking an active part in the battle of Bunker Hill. He afterward commanded the 6th brigade of the army investing...
, of Andover
Andover, Massachusetts
Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It was incorporated in 1646 and as of the 2010 census, the population was 33,201...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Frye's Regiment was designated "The 1st Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
11th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 11th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment contained eleven companies and had an official establishment of 658 officers and men. It was commanded by Colonel Ebenezer Bridge, of BillericaBillerica, Massachusetts
Billerica is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,243 at the 2010 census. It is the only town named Billerica in the United States and borrows its name from the town of Billericay in Essex, England.- History :...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Bridge's Regiment was designated "The 27th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
12th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 12th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment contained eleven companies and
had an official establishment of 658 officers and men. It was commanded by Colonel John
Paterson, of Lenox
Lenox, Massachusetts
Lenox is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. Set in Western Massachusetts, it is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,077 at the 2000 census. Where the town has a border with Stockbridge is the site of Tanglewood, summer...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Paterson's Regiment was designated "The 26th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
13th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 13th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel James Scammon. His regiment was raised in what were then known as the “eastern counties,” the present state of Maine. Scammon served as colonel of his regiment until the end of the year. In August 1775, Scammon's Regiment was designated "The 30th Regiment of Foot." It served in the Siege of BostonSiege 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...
until its disbandment.
14th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 14th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Ebenezer LearnedEbenezer Learned
Ebenezer Learned was a brigadier general in the American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.-Early life and career:...
, of Oxford
Oxford, Massachusetts
Oxford is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 13,709 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Oxford, please see the article Oxford , Massachusetts.-History:...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Learned's Regiment was designated "The 4th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
15th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 15th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Thomas GardnerThomas Gardner
Col. Thomas Gardner was an American political figure and soldier.Gardner was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was a descendant of Thomas Gardner of Roxbury...
. He was mortally wounded 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...
, June 17, 1775, and died July 3, 1775. On that date the regiment’s commander, Lieutenant Colonel William Bond, was promoted to the rank of colonel and the regiment became Bond’s Regiment. In August 1775, Bond's Regiment was designated "The 37th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
16th Massachusetts Regiment (1775)
The 16th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel John NixonJohn Nixon (Massachusetts)
John Nixon was an American brigadier general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.He was born in Framingham, Massachusetts on March 1, 1724 to Christopher and Mary Nixon. On February 7, 1754, John Nixon married Thankfully Berry also of Framingham...
, of Framingham
Framingham, Massachusetts
Framingham is a New England town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 68,318 as of the United States 2010 Census. -History:...
and Sudbury
Sudbury, Massachusetts
Sudbury is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, population 17,659. The town was incorporated in 1639, with the original boundaries including what is now Wayland. Wayland split from Sudbury in 1780. When first incorporated, it included and parts of Framingham, Marlborough, Stow...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Nixon's Regiment was designated "The 5th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
17th Massachusetts Regiment
The 17th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel John Fellows, of SheffieldSheffield, Massachusetts
Not to be confused with the city of Sheffield in the UK, or Sheffield, Vermont.Sheffield is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,257 at the 2010 census. Sheffield is home to...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Fellows' Regiment was designated "The 8th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
18th Massachusetts Regiment
The 18th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Ephraim Doolittle, who left the service in October 1775. Command of the regiment passed to its next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Holden, of PrincetonPrinceton, Massachusetts
Princeton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States.It is bordered on the east by Sterling and Leominster, on the north by Westminster, on the northwest by Hubbardston, on the southwest by Rutland, and on the southeast by Holden....
. In August 1775, Doolittle's Regiment was designated "The 24th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
19th Massachusetts Regiment
The 19th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Jonathan Brewer, of WalthamWaltham, Massachusetts
Waltham is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, was an early center for the labor movement, and major contributor to the American Industrial Revolution. The original home of the Boston Manufacturing Company, the city was a prototype for 19th century industrial city planning,...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Jonathan Brewer's Regiment was designated "The 6th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
20th Massachusetts Regiment
The 20th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel David Brewer, of PalmerPalmer, Massachusetts
The Town of Palmer is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,140 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, who was dismissed from the service on October 24, 1775. The next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Putnam
Rufus Putnam
Rufus Putnam was a colonial military officer during the French and Indian War, and a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War...
, of Brookfield
Brookfield, Massachusetts
Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,390 at the 2010 census.-History:Brookfield was first settled in 1660 and was officially incorporated in 1718...
, assumed command of the regiment and served until the end of the year. In August 1775, David Brewer's Regiment was designated "The 9th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
21st Massachusetts Regiment
The 21st Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel William HeathWilliam Heath
William Heath was an American farmer, soldier, and political leader from Massachusetts who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War....
, of Roxbury
Roxbury, Massachusetts
Roxbury is a dissolved municipality and current neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was one of the first towns founded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, and became a city in 1846 until annexed to Boston on January 5, 1868...
. Heath was made a Continental brigadier general on June 22, 1775, and command of the regiment passed to Lieutenant Colonel John Greaton. Greaton was promoted to the rank of colonel on July 1, 1775, and the regiment became Greaton’s Regiment. In August 1775, Greaton's Regiment was designated "The 36th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
22d Massachusetts Regiment
The 22d Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Benjamin Ruggles WoodbridgeBenjamin Ruggles Woodbridge
Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge of South Hadley, Massachusetts, practiced medicine and law, was a colonel in the Massachusetts militia during the American Revolutionary War, and was a commander at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was also a farmer, and he owned a rum still, a wood lot, a grazing meadow,...
, of South Hadley
South Hadley, Massachusetts
South Hadley is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 17,514 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Woodbridge's Regiment was designated "The 25th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
23d Massachusetts Regiment
The 23d Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel John Glover, of MarbleheadMarblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,808 at the 2010 census. It is home to the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Devereux Beach...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Glover's Regiment was designated "The 21st Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment. In December 1775, Glover's Regiment was stationed at Beverly
Beverly, Massachusetts
Beverly is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 39,343 on , which differs by no more than several hundred from the 39,862 obtained in the 2000 census. A resort, residential and manufacturing community on the North Shore, Beverly includes Beverly Farms and Prides...
to defend the naval base located there.
24th Massachusetts Regiment
The 24th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Moses LittleMoses Little
Moses Little , born on May 8, 1724 in Newbury, Massachusetts. Moses Little served in the Massachusetts militia and with his company marched to the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775...
, of Newbury
Newbury, Massachusetts
Newbury is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,666 at the 2010 census. Newbury includes the villages of Old Town , Plum Island and Byfield, home of The Governor's Academy , a private preparatory school.- History :Newbury Plantation was settled and incorporated...
, who served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Little's Regiment was designated "The 17th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
25th Massachusetts Regiment
The 25th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Samuel Gerrish, of NewburyNewbury, Massachusetts
Newbury is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,666 at the 2010 census. Newbury includes the villages of Old Town , Plum Island and Byfield, home of The Governor's Academy , a private preparatory school.- History :Newbury Plantation was settled and incorporated...
, who was dismissed from the service on August 19, 1775. Command of the regiment passed to its next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin
Loammi Baldwin
Colonel Loammi Baldwin was a noted American engineer, politician, and a soldier in the American Revolutionary War....
, of Woburn
Woburn, Massachusetts
Woburn is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 38,120 at the 2010 census. Woburn is located north of Boston, Massachusetts, and just south of the intersection of I-93 and I-95.- History :...
. In August 1775, Gerrish's Regiment was designated "The 38th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
26th Massachusetts Regiment
The 26th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Edmund Phinney, whose regiment was raised in the present state of MaineMaine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. Phinney served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Phinney's Regiment was designated "The 31st Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
27th Massachusetts Regiment
The 27th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment was commanded by Colonel Paul Dudley SargentPaul Dudley Sargent
Paul Dudley Sargent was a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.-Revolutionary War Service:...
, of Amherst, New Hampshire
Amherst, New Hampshire
Amherst is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 11,201 at the 2010 census. Amherst is home to Ponemah Bog Wildlife Sanctuary, Hodgman State Forest, the Joe English Reservation and Baboosic Lake....
. Sargent served as colonel until the end of the year. In August 1775, Sargent's Regiment was designated "The 28th Regiment of Foot." It served 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...
until its disbandment.
Numbered Continental Regiments, 1776
On November 4, 1775, the Continental Congress resolved that on January 1, 1776, the Continental Army, exclusive of artillery and extra regiments, was to consist of 27 infantry regiments. The troops were to be enlisted to serve until December 31, 1776. The quota of regiments assigned to the states was 1 from PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, 3 from New Hampshire, 16 from Massachusetts, 2 from Rhode Island, and 5 from Connecticut.
Each regiment was to have an official establishment of 728 officers and men in eight companies. The regiments were to receivenumbers instead of names. For the campaign of 1776 Massachusetts was to provide the 3d, 4th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 23d, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th Continental Regiments.
The reduction of the Massachusetts Line from an establishment of 16,468 officers and men in 275 companies to an establishment of 11,648 officers and men in 128 companies required a difficult reorganization.
The numbered Continental regiments raised in Massachusetts were widely scattered in the campaign of 1776. In April, following the British evacuation 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...
, five regiments (the 6th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 27th) were ordered to remain in Massachusetts, four of them occupying Boston. Three of these regiments (the 14th, 16th, and 27th) joined the Main Army in July. The 6th and 18th regiments joined the Northern Army in August, and never rejoined the Main Army. Of the eleven regiments that moved to New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April, three regiments (the 15th, 24th, and 25th) were ordered to Canada
Invasion of Canada (1775)
The Invasion of Canada in 1775 was the first major military initiative by the newly formed Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. The objective of the campaign was to gain military control of the British Province of Quebec, and convince the French-speaking Canadiens to join the...
as reinforcements. One of these regiments (the 15th) rejoined the Main Army in November, and served 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...
and 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....
. The 24th and 25th regiments, that had served in the Northern theater, also rejoined the Main Army in November, but marched directly to the army's winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the...
. Finally, the 7th Continental Regiment, which served in Parsons'
Samuel Holden Parsons
Samuel Holden Parsons was an American lawyer, jurist, and military leader.Parsons was born in Lyme, Connecticut, the son of Jonathan Parsons and Phoebe Parsons...
Brigade, was assigned to the Highlands Department in November.
3d Continental Regiment
The 3d Continental Regiment was formed by consolidating the remnant of Danielson’s Regiment, and the remnant of Wood's Company, Cotton's Regiment, with the remnant of Learned's Regiment. Colonel Ebenezer LearnedEbenezer Learned
Ebenezer Learned was a brigadier general in the American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.-Early life and career:...
commanded this regiment throughout 1776. As a regiment on the right wing of the army at 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...
, it was ordered to furnish details for the Fortification of Dorchester Heights
Fortification of Dorchester Heights
The Fortification of Dorchester Heights was a decisive action early in the American Revolutionary War that precipitated the end of the siege of Boston and the withdrawal of British troops from that city....
. Learned's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. It served 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...
and 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....
.
4th Continental Regiment
The 4th Continental Regiment was formed by consolidating the remnant of Thompson's Company, Danielson's Regiment, with the remnant of Nixon’s Regiment. Colonel John NixonJohn Nixon (Massachusetts)
John Nixon was an American brigadier general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.He was born in Framingham, Massachusetts on March 1, 1724 to Christopher and Mary Nixon. On February 7, 1754, John Nixon married Thankfully Berry also of Framingham...
commanded this regiment until August 9, 1776, the date on which he was made a Continental brigadier general. On that date the regiment’s next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Nixon, assumed command with
the rank of colonel. Nixon's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. It served 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...
and 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....
.
6th Continental Regiment
The 6th Continental Regiment was formed by consolidating the remnants of Soul's Company, Fellows' Regiment, and Danforth's Company, David Brewer's Regiment, with the remnant of Jonathan Brewer’s Regiment. However, Jonathan Brewer left the service, and command of this regiment was given to Colonel Asa Whitcomb, whose old regiment, the 5th Massachusetts Regiment, was disbanded. As a regiment on the right wing of the army at BostonSiege 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...
, it was ordered to furnish details for the Fortification of Dorchester Heights
Fortification of Dorchester Heights
The Fortification of Dorchester Heights was a decisive action early in the American Revolutionary War that precipitated the end of the siege of Boston and the withdrawal of British troops from that city....
. Whitcomb's regiment occupied 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...
in April 1776. In August it was ordered to northern New York to oppose Carleton's counteroffensive
Invasion of Canada
The Invasion of Canada may refer to several events in history.*The British and French colonial empires contested Canada through several wars:*Quebec Expedition *King George's War *The French and Indian War...
, and never rejoined the Main Army.
7th Continental Regiment
The 7th Continental Regiment7th Continental Regiment
The 7th Continental Regiment was raised April 23, 1775 as a Massachusetts militia Regiment at Cambridge, Massachusetts under Colonel William Prescott. The regiment would join the Continental Army in June 1775. The regiment saw action during the Siege of Boston and the New York Campaign...
was formed by consolidating the remnants of Darby's and Nowell's Companies, Scammon's Regiment, and the remnant of Morse's Company, Paterson's Regiment, with the remnant of Prescott's Regiment. Colonel William Prescott
William Prescott
William Prescott was an American colonel in the Revolutionary War who commanded the rebel forces in the Battle of Bunker Hill...
commanded this regiment throughout 1776. Prescott's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. In November it was stationed in the Hudson Highlands
Departments of the Continental Army
In the American Revolutionary War units of the Continental Army were assigned to any one of seven regional or territorial departments to decentralize their command and administration. This was necessary because the regiment was the largest permanent unit in the Continental Army...
.
12th Continental Regiment
The 12th Continental Regiment12th Continental Regiment
The 12th Continental Regiment was raised April 23, 1775 as a Massachusetts militia Regiment at Cambridge, Massachusetts under Colonel Moses Little. The regiment would join the Continental Army in June 1775. The regiment saw action during the Siege of Boston, the New York Campaign and the Battle of...
was formed from the remnant of Little’s Regiment. The old regiment had to be reduced from ten companies to eight. Colonel Moses Little
Moses Little
Moses Little , born on May 8, 1724 in Newbury, Massachusetts. Moses Little served in the Massachusetts militia and with his company marched to the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775...
commanded this regiment throughout 1776. Little's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. It served 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...
and 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....
.
13th Continental Regiment
The 13th Continental Regiment13th Continental Regiment
-Summary:The 13th Continental Regiment was raised April 23, 1775 as a Massachusetts militia Regiment at Cambridge, Massachusetts under Joseph Read. The regiment would join the Continental Army in June 1775. The regiment saw action during the Siege of Boston, the New York Campaign and the Battle of...
was formed by consolidating the remnants of Walker's Regiment and David Brewer's Regiment with the remnant of Read's Regiment. Colonel Joseph Read
Joseph Read
Joseph Read was a soldier and a Colonel in the American Revolutionary War.-Early life:Read was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, the son of John and Lucy Read. He married Eunice Taft of Uxbridge on Nov 22, 1753...
commanded this regiment throughout 1776. As a regiment on the right wing of the army at 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...
, it was ordered to furnish details for the Fortification of Dorchester Heights
Fortification of Dorchester Heights
The Fortification of Dorchester Heights was a decisive action early in the American Revolutionary War that precipitated the end of the siege of Boston and the withdrawal of British troops from that city....
. Read's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. It served 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...
and 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....
.
14th Continental Regiment
The 14th Continental Regiment14th Continental Regiment
The 14th Continental Regiment, also known as the Marblehead Regiment and Glover's Regiment, was raised as a Massachusetts militia regiment in 1775, and taken into the Continental Army establishment during the summer of 1775 as the 23rd Massachusetts Regiment. When the Continental Army was...
was formed from the remnant of Glover’s Regiment. The old regiment had to be reduced from ten companies to eight. Colonel John Glover commanded this regiment throughout 1776. Glover's regiment continued to be stationed at Beverly
Beverly, Massachusetts
Beverly is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 39,343 on , which differs by no more than several hundred from the 39,862 obtained in the 2000 census. A resort, residential and manufacturing community on the North Shore, Beverly includes Beverly Farms and Prides...
until July, when it was ordered to join the Main Army at New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
. The regiment served 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...
.
15th Continental Regiment
The 15th Continental Regiment15th Continental Regiment
The 15th Continental Regiment was an infantry regiment of the 1776 establishment of the Continental Army.-Administrative history:The regiment was formed when the remnants of the 1st Massachusetts Regiment and Sayer's and Sullivan's companies of Scammon's Regiment were combined on 1 January 1776...
was formed by consolidating the remnants of Sayer's and Sullivan's Companies, Scammon's Regiment, with the remnant of Paterson's Regiment (less the remnants of Morse's and Watkins' Companies). Colonel John Paterson commanded this regiment throughout 1776. Paterson's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. In the same month it was ordered to reinforce the American army in Canada
Invasion of Canada
The Invasion of Canada may refer to several events in history.*The British and French colonial empires contested Canada through several wars:*Quebec Expedition *King George's War *The French and Indian War...
. In November the regiment rejoined the Main Army and served 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...
and 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....
.
16th Continental Regiment
The 16th Continental Regiment was formed from the remnant of Sargent’s Regiment. The old regiment had to be reduced from ten companies to eight. Colonel Paul Dudley Sargent commanded this regiment throughout 1776. Sargent's regiment occupied BostonSiege 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...
in April 1776. It was ordered to join the Main Army at New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in July. The regiment served 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...
and 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....
.
18th Continental Regiment
The 18th Continental Regiment was formed by consolidating the remnants of Scammon's Regiment and Watkins' Company, Paterson's Regiment, with the remnant of Phinney's Regiment. Colonel Edmund Phinney commanded this regiment throughout 1776. Phinney's regiment occupied BostonSiege 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...
in April 1776. In August it was ordered to northern New York to oppose Carleton's counteroffensive
Invasion of Canada
The Invasion of Canada may refer to several events in history.*The British and French colonial empires contested Canada through several wars:*Quebec Expedition *King George's War *The French and Indian War...
, and never rejoined the Main Army.
21st Continental Regiment
The 21st Continental Regiment21st Continental Regiment
-Summary:The 21st Continental Regiment was raised April 23, 1775 as a Massachusetts militia Regiment at Cambridge, Massachusetts under Colonel Jonathan Ward. The regiment would join the Continental Army in June 1775. The regiment saw action during the Siege of Boston, the New York Campaign and the...
was formed by consolidating the remnant of Fellows' Regiment, and the remnants of Benson's and Bradford's Companies, Cotton's Regiment, with the remnant of Ward's Regiment. Colonel Jonathan Ward commanded this regiment throughout 1776. As a regiment on the right wing of the army at 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...
, it was ordered to furnish details for the Fortification of Dorchester Heights
Fortification of Dorchester Heights
The Fortification of Dorchester Heights was a decisive action early in the American Revolutionary War that precipitated the end of the siege of Boston and the withdrawal of British troops from that city....
. Ward's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. It served 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...
and 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....
.
23d Continental Regiment
The 23d Continental Regiment was formed by consolidating the remnant of Cotton's Regiment (less the remnants of Benson's, Bradford's, Mayhew's, and Wood's Companies) with the remnant of Bailey's Regiment. Colonel John Bailey commanded this regiment throughout 1776. As a regiment on the right wing of the army at BostonSiege 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...
, it was ordered to furnish details for the Fortification of Dorchester Heights
Fortification of Dorchester Heights
The Fortification of Dorchester Heights was a decisive action early in the American Revolutionary War that precipitated the end of the siege of Boston and the withdrawal of British troops from that city....
. Bailey's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. It served 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...
and 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....
.
24th Continental Regiment
The 24th Continental Regiment was formed by consolidating the remnant of Crafts' Company, Bond's Regiment, with the remnant of Greaton’s Regiment. Colonel John Greaton commanded this regiment throughout 1776. Greaton's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York CityNew York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. In the same month it was ordered to reinforce the American army in Canada
Invasion of Canada
The Invasion of Canada may refer to several events in history.*The British and French colonial empires contested Canada through several wars:*Quebec Expedition *King George's War *The French and Indian War...
. The regiment rejoined the Main Army in November, marching directly to Morristown
Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the...
.
25th Continental Regiment
The 25th Continental Regiment25th Continental Regiment
The 25th Continental Regiment was raised April 23, 1775 as a Massachusetts militia Regiment at Cambridge, Massachusetts under Colonel William Bond. The regiment would join the Continental Army in June 1775. The regiment saw action during the Siege of Boston, Invasion of Canada and the Battle of...
was formed by consolidating the remnants of Mayhew's Company, Cotton's Regiment, and Egery's Company, Danielson's Regiment, with the remnant of Bond’s Regiment (less the remnant of Crafts' Company). Colonel William Bond commanded this regiment until his death on August 31, 1776. The regiment’s next senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ichabod Alden
Ichabod Alden
Ichabod Alden was an American Revolutionary War officer and commanding officer during the Cherry Valley Massacre.The great-grandson of the Mayflower pilgrim John Alden, Ichabod Alden was born in Duxbury, Massachusetts...
, held command until the end of the year. Bond's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. In the same month it was ordered to reinforce the American army in Canada
Invasion of Canada
The Invasion of Canada may refer to several events in history.*The British and French colonial empires contested Canada through several wars:*Quebec Expedition *King George's War *The French and Indian War...
. The regiment rejoined the Main Army in November, marching directly to Morristown
Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the...
.
26th Continental Regiment
The 26th Continental Regiment26th Continental Regiment
The 26th Continental Regiment was an infantry unit of the Massachusetts Line during the US Revolutionary War. The regiment was formed for one year in Massachusetts in January 1776 from the remnant of the 25th Massachusetts Bay Provincial Regiment known as Gerrish’s Regiment. The old regiment had...
was formed from the remnant of Gerrish’s Regiment. The old regiment had to be reduced from ten companies to eight. This regiment was commanded by Colonel Loammi Baldwin
Loammi Baldwin
Colonel Loammi Baldwin was a noted American engineer, politician, and a soldier in the American Revolutionary War....
, who was promoted to that rank on January 1, 1776. Baldwin's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York City
New York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. It served 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...
and 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....
.
27th Continental Regiment
The 27th Continental Regiment was formed from the remnant of Mansfield’s Regiment. The old regiment had to be reduced from ten companies to eight. This regiment was commanded by Colonel Israel Hutchinson, who was promoted to that rank on January 1, 1776. Hutchinson's regiment remained with the Main Army, moving to New York CityNew York and New Jersey campaign
The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
in April. It served 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...
and 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....
.
Disbanded units
The remnants of the regiments of Asa Whitcomb, James Frye, Ebenezer Bridge, Ephraim Doolittle, and Benjamin Ruggles WoodbridgeBenjamin Ruggles Woodbridge
Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge of South Hadley, Massachusetts, practiced medicine and law, was a colonel in the Massachusetts militia during the American Revolutionary War, and was a commander at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was also a farmer, and he owned a rum still, a wood lot, a grazing meadow,...
were disbanded at Cambridge, Massachusetts, on December 31, 1775.
Massachusetts Line, 1777
During 1776, the Continental Congress gradually overcame its ideological objections to a standing army, and, on September 16, 1776, it resolved that, on January 1, 1777, the Continental Line was to consist of 88 infantry regiments, to be maintained for the duration of the war. The quota of regiments assigned to the states was 3 from New Hampshire, 15 from Massachusetts, 2 from Rhode Island, 8 from Connecticut, 4 from New York, 4 from New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, 12 from Pennsylvania, 1 from Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, 8 from Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, 15 from Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, 9 from 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...
, 6 from
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...
, and 1 from Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The quotas for states outside New England included regiments that had been on the Continental establishment earlier, but the term Continental Line was now broadened to include the lines of all the states.
1st Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 1st Massachusetts Regiment1st Massachusetts Regiment
The 1st Massachusetts Regiment was authorized on 23 April 1775 in the Massachusetts State Troops as Paterson's Regiment under Colonel John Paterson and was organized at Cambridge, colony of Massachusetts during the spring of 1775 constiting of eleven companies of volunteers from Berkshire,...
(Vose’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating two companies formed from the 6th Continental Regiment, and two companies formed from the 18th Continental Regiment, with the remnant of the 15th Continental Regiment. The commanding officer, Colonel Joseph Vose, had been the major of Greaton’s Regiment in 1775 and the lieutenant colonel of the 24th Continental Regiment in 1776. As the 15th Continental Regiment, reorganizing as the 1st Massachusetts Regiment, it served in St. Clair's
Arthur St. Clair
Arthur St. Clair was an American soldier and politician. Born in Scotland, he served in the British Army during the French and Indian War before settling in Pennsylvania, where he held local office...
Brigade 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....
. Reorganization was completed in the spring of 1777, and the regiment was ordered to Peekskill
Peekskill, New York
Peekskill is a city in Westchester County, New York. It is situated on a bay along the east side of the Hudson River, across from Jones Point.This community was known to be an early American industrial center, primarily for its iron plow and stove products...
in the Highlands
Departments of the Continental Army
In the American Revolutionary War units of the Continental Army were assigned to any one of seven regional or territorial departments to decentralize their command and administration. This was necessary because the regiment was the largest permanent unit in the Continental Army...
. On July 10, 1777 it was assigned to the 2d Massachusetts Brigade under Brigadier General Glover. The regiment served in the Saratoga campaign
Saratoga campaign
The Saratoga Campaign was an attempt by Great Britain to gain military control of the strategically important Hudson River valley in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War...
, then marched south to join 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...
in the Middle Department
Departments of the Continental Army
In the American Revolutionary War units of the Continental Army were assigned to any one of seven regional or territorial departments to decentralize their command and administration. This was necessary because the regiment was the largest permanent unit in the Continental Army...
. It served in the Philadelphia campaign
Philadelphia campaign
The Philadelphia campaign was a British initiative in the American Revolutionary War to gain control of Philadelphia, which was then the seat of the Second Continental Congress...
and wintered at Valley Forge
Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
. In 1778 it served in the Monmouth campaign
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...
, then at Rhode Island
Battle of Rhode Island
The Battle of Rhode Island, also known as the Battle of Quaker Hill and the Siege of Newport, took place on August 29, 1778. Continental Army and militia forces under the command of General John Sullivan were withdrawing to the northern part of Aquidneck Island after abandoning their siege of...
. Following Rhode Island
Battle of Rhode Island
The Battle of Rhode Island, also known as the Battle of Quaker Hill and the Siege of Newport, took place on August 29, 1778. Continental Army and militia forces under the command of General John Sullivan were withdrawing to the northern part of Aquidneck Island after abandoning their siege of...
the regiment was stationed in the Highlands
Departments of the Continental Army
In the American Revolutionary War units of the Continental Army were assigned to any one of seven regional or territorial departments to decentralize their command and administration. This was necessary because the regiment was the largest permanent unit in the Continental Army...
, but in 1781 its light company was assigned to Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Vose's Battalion, Corps of Light Infantry, which served in the Yorktown campaign
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
. The regiment was disbanded 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...
, on November 3, 1783.
2d Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 2nd Massachusetts Regiment2nd Massachusetts Regiment
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 , and was known as the 23rd Continental Regiment during the 1776...
(Bailey’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnants of the 7th Continental Regiment; Peters' Company, 13th Continental Regiment; and Clap's Company, 21st Continental Regiment; with the remnant of the 23d Continental Regiment. (Peters' and Clap's Companies were reorganized, respectively, as Warren's and Dunham's Companies, Bailey's Regiment). The commanding officer, Colonel John Bailey, had been the lieutenant colonel, later the colonel, of Thomas’s Regiment in 1775 and colonel of the 23d Continental Regiment in 1776. As the 23d Continental Regiment, reorganizing as the 2d Massachusetts Regiment, it served in Glover's Brigade 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....
. Reorganization was completed in the spring of 1777, and the regiment was ordered to the Northern Department
Departments of the Continental Army
In the American Revolutionary War units of the Continental Army were assigned to any one of seven regional or territorial departments to decentralize their command and administration. This was necessary because the regiment was the largest permanent unit in the Continental Army...
. In the summer of 1777 it was assigned to the 4th Massachusetts Brigade under Brigadier General Learned
Ebenezer Learned
Ebenezer Learned was a brigadier general in the American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.-Early life and career:...
. The regiment retreated toward Saratoga
Saratoga campaign
The Saratoga Campaign was an attempt by Great Britain to gain military control of the strategically important Hudson River valley in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War...
after the American evacuation of Fort Ticonderoga in July, and marched under Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
to the relief of Fort Stanwix
Siege of Fort Stanwix
The Siege of Fort Stanwix began on August 2, 1777, and ended August 22. Fort Stanwix, in the Mohawk River Valley, was then the primary defense point for the Continental Army against British and Indian forces aligned against them in the American Revolutionary War...
in August. Following the Saratoga campaign the regiment marched south to join 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...
in the Middle Department
Departments of the Continental Army
In the American Revolutionary War units of the Continental Army were assigned to any one of seven regional or territorial departments to decentralize their command and administration. This was necessary because the regiment was the largest permanent unit in the Continental Army...
. It served in the Philadelphia campaign
Philadelphia campaign
The Philadelphia campaign was a British initiative in the American Revolutionary War to gain control of Philadelphia, which was then the seat of the Second Continental Congress...
and wintered at Valley Forge
Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
. In 1778 it served in the Monmouth campaign
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...
. After November 1778 the regiment was stationed in the Highlands
Departments of the Continental Army
In the American Revolutionary War units of the Continental Army were assigned to any one of seven regional or territorial departments to decentralize their command and administration. This was necessary because the regiment was the largest permanent unit in the Continental Army...
, but in 1781 its light company was assigned to Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Vose's Battalion, Corps of Light Infantry, which served in the Yorktown campaign
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
. The regiment was disbanded 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...
, on November 3, 1783.
3d Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 3rd Massachusetts Regiment3rd Massachusetts Regiment
The 3rd Massachusetts Regiment also known as the 24th Continental Regiment was raised, on April 23, 1775, under Colonel William Heath outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill, Battle of Trois-Rivières, Battle of Valcour Island and the Battle of...
(Greaton’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnant of the 25th Continental Regiment with the remnant of the 24th Continental Regiment (less the remnants of Bent's and Whiting's Companies; the latter were reorganized as Fairfield's and Pillsbury's Companies, Wigglesworth's Regiment). The commanding officer, John Greaton, had been the lieutenant colonel of Heath’s
William Heath
William Heath was an American farmer, soldier, and political leader from Massachusetts who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War....
Regiment, and its commander, in 1775. In 1776 he commanded the 24th Continental Regiment.
4th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 4th Massachusetts Regiment4th Massachusetts Regiment
The 4th Massachusetts Regiment also known as 3rd Continental Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Ebenezer Learned outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill, New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of...
(Shepard’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnant of King's Company, 21st Continental Regiment, with the remnant of the 3d Continental Regiment. (King's Company was redesignated Alvord's Company). The commanding officer, William Shepard
William Shepard
William Lyman Shepard was a United States Representative from Massachusetts. Born in Westfield, he attended the common schools, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and served in the French and Indian wars for six years. He was a member of the committee of correspondence for Westfield in 1774, and...
, had been the lieutenant colonel of Danielson’s Regiment in 1775 and the lieutenant colonel of the 3d Continental Regiment in 1776. He was wounded at the Battle of Pell's Point
Battle of Pell's Point
The Battle of Pell's Point , also known as the Battle of Pelham, was a skirmish fought between British and American troops during the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
on October 18, 1776.
5th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 5th Massachusetts Regiment5th Massachusetts Regiment
The 5th Massachusetts Regiment also known as the 27th Continental Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Mansfield outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Bunker Hill, New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton...
(Putnam’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnant of Walbridge's Company, 13th Continental Regiment, with the remnant of the 27th Continental Regiment. (Walbridge's Company was reorganized as Goodale's Company). The commanding officer, Rufus Putnam
Rufus Putnam
Rufus Putnam was a colonial military officer during the French and Indian War, and a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War...
, had been the lieutenant colonel of David Brewer’s Regiment in 1775.
6th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 6th Massachusetts Regiment6th Massachusetts Regiment
The 6th Massachusetts Regiment also known as the 4th Continental Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel John Nixon outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill, New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton and the Battle of...
(Nixon’s Regiment) was formed by reconstituting the remnant of the 4th Continental Regiment as a regiment to serve for the duration. The commanding officer, Thomas Nixon, had been the lieutenant colonel of John Nixon’s
John Nixon (Massachusetts)
John Nixon was an American brigadier general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.He was born in Framingham, Massachusetts on March 1, 1724 to Christopher and Mary Nixon. On February 7, 1754, John Nixon married Thankfully Berry also of Framingham...
Regiment in 1775 and lieutenant colonel of the 4th Continental Regiment in 1776. He was promoted to colonel on August 9, 1776. Colonel Benjamin Tupper
Benjamin Tupper
Benjamin Tupper was a soldier in the French and Indian War, and an officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, achieving the rank of brevet brigadier general. Subsequently, he served as a Massachusetts legislator, and he assisted Gen. William Shepard in stopping Shays'...
was commanding officer of the 6th Massachusetts Regiment from January 1, 1783 until June 12, 1783.
7th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 7th Massachusetts Regiment7th Massachusetts Regiment
The 7th Massachusetts Regiment, constituted on 16 September 1776 and originally known as Alden's Regiment from its first colonel, Ichabod Alden was an infantry regiment of the Continental Army...
(Alden’s Regiment) was a new organization, raised under the Eighty-Eight Battalion Resolve of September 16, 1776. The commanding officer, Ichabod Alden
Ichabod Alden
Ichabod Alden was an American Revolutionary War officer and commanding officer during the Cherry Valley Massacre.The great-grandson of the Mayflower pilgrim John Alden, Ichabod Alden was born in Duxbury, Massachusetts...
, had been the lieutenant colonel of Cotton’s Regiment in 1775 and lieutenant colonel of the 25th Continental Regiment in 1776. He was killed at Cherry Valley
Cherry Valley massacre
The Cherry Valley Massacre was an attack by British and Seneca forces on a fort and the village of Cherry Valley in eastern New York on the cold, snowy and rainy morning of November 11, 1778, during the American Revolutionary War. It has been described as one of the most horrific frontier...
, New York, on November 10, 1778, and his lieutenant colonel, William Stacy
William Stacy
William Stacy was an officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and a pioneer to the Ohio Country...
was taken prisoner.
8th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 8th Massachusetts Regiment8th Massachusetts Regiment
The 8th Massachusetts Regiment also known as 16th Continental Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Sargent at Cambridge, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill, New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton and the Battle of Saratoga...
(Michael Jackson’s Regiment) was formed by reconstituting the remnant of the 16th Continental Regiment as a regiment to serve for the duration. The
commanding officer had been the major of Gardner’s Regiment in 1775, and had been wounded on June 17, 1775, 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...
. In 1776 he had been lieutenant colonel of the 16th Continental Regiment and had been wounded at Montressor’s Island on September 24, 1776.
9th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 9th Massachusetts Regiment9th Massachusetts Regiment
The 9th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Line was created on November 1, 1776. The unit served until January 1, 1783 when, in compliance with the general order of December 24, 1782, the unit was disbanded....
(Wesson’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnant of the 21st Continental Regiment (less the remnants of Clap's and King's Companies) with the remnant of the 26th Continental Regiment. The commanding officer, James Wesson, had been the major of Gerrish’s Regiment in 1775 and the lieutenant colonel of the 26th Continental Regiment in 1776. He was wounded on June 28, 1778, at 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...
, New Jersey.
10th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 10th Massachusetts Regiment10th Massachusetts Regiment
The 10th Massachusetts Regiment was authorized on 16 September 1776 in the Continental Army under Colonel Marshall at Boston, Massachusetts as eight companies of volunteers from Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Bristol, Hampshire, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties of the colony of Massachusetts and...
(Marshall’s Regiment) was a new organization, raised under the Eighty-Eight Battalion Resolve of September 16, 1776. The commanding officer, Thomas Marshall, had been an officer in the Massachusetts militia
Massachusetts militia
Militia of the Colony and later Commonwealth of Massachusetts.-List of Massachusetts militia units of the American Revolution:*Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts *Cogswell's Regiment of Militia...
. Colonel Benjamin Tupper
Benjamin Tupper
Benjamin Tupper was a soldier in the French and Indian War, and an officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, achieving the rank of brevet brigadier general. Subsequently, he served as a Massachusetts legislator, and he assisted Gen. William Shepard in stopping Shays'...
was commanding officer of the 10th Massachusetts Regiment from January 1, 1781 until January 1, 1783.
11th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 11th Massachusetts Regiment11th Massachusetts Regiment
The 11th Massachusetts Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 under Colonel Ebenezer Francis at Boston, Massachusetts. The 11th Mass. would see action at the Battle of Hubbardton, Battle of Saratoga and the Battle of Monmouth...
(Francis’s Regiment, later Tupper’s Regiment) was a new organization, raised under the Eighty-Eight Battalion Resolve of September 16, 1776. The regiment’s first commander, Colonel Ebenezer Francis, had been a captain of Mansfield’s Regiment in 1775. Colonel Francis was killed at the Battle of Hubbardton
Battle of Hubbardton
The Battle of Hubbardton was an engagement in the Saratoga campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought in the village of Hubbardton, then in the disputed New Hampshire Grants territory . On the morning of July 7, 1777, British forces, under General Simon Fraser, caught up with the American...
, Vermont, on July 7, 1777, and was succeeded by Benjamin Tupper
Benjamin Tupper
Benjamin Tupper was a soldier in the French and Indian War, and an officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, achieving the rank of brevet brigadier general. Subsequently, he served as a Massachusetts legislator, and he assisted Gen. William Shepard in stopping Shays'...
. In 1775 Colonel Tupper had been the major of Fellows’ Regiment and later its lieutenant colonel. In 1776 he had been lieutenant colonel of the 21st Continental Regiment. Tupper was colonel of the 11th Massachusetts Regiment from July 7, 1777 until January 1, 1781.
12th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 12th Massachusetts Regiment12th Massachusetts Regiment
The 12th Massachusetts Regiment, also known as 18th Continental Regiment, was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Phinney outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Bunker Hill, Battle of Valcour Island, Battle of Saratoga and the Battle of Monmouth...
(Samuel Brewer’s Regiment) was formed by reconstituting the remnant of the 18th Continental Regiment as a regiment to serve for the duration (less two companies consolidated with the 15th Continental Regiment, which became the 1st Massachusetts Regiment
1st Massachusetts Regiment
The 1st Massachusetts Regiment was authorized on 23 April 1775 in the Massachusetts State Troops as Paterson's Regiment under Colonel John Paterson and was organized at Cambridge, colony of Massachusetts during the spring of 1775 constiting of eleven companies of volunteers from Berkshire,...
). The commanding officer was dismissed from the service on September 17, 1778. For the remainder of its existence the regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ebenezer Sproat
Ebenezer Sproat
Ebenezer Sproat , surname also spelled Sprout, was an officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, a pioneer to the Ohio Country, and one of the founders of Marietta, Ohio, the first permanent American settlement in the Northwest Territory...
(aka Sprout), who had been the major of Cotton’s Regiment in 1775 and the major of the 3d Continental Regiment in 1776.
13th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 13th Massachusetts Regiment13th Massachusetts Regiment
The 13th Massachusetts Regiment was first raised on July 11, 1776 as the 6th Continental Regiment under Colonel Edward Wigglesworth and was manned with troops raised primarily from Essex, York, and Cumberland Counties. It was first known as Wigglesworth's State Regiment. An additional battalion was...
(Wigglesworth’s Regiment) was formed by consolidating the remnants of Bent's and Whiting's Companies, 24th Continental Regiment, with the remnant of the 6th Continental Regiment (less two companies consolidated with the 15th Continental Regiment, which became the 1st Massachusetts Regiment
1st Massachusetts Regiment
The 1st Massachusetts Regiment was authorized on 23 April 1775 in the Massachusetts State Troops as Paterson's Regiment under Colonel John Paterson and was organized at Cambridge, colony of Massachusetts during the spring of 1775 constiting of eleven companies of volunteers from Berkshire,...
. The commanding officer, Colonel Edward Wigglesworth, had been a militia officer in 1776.
14th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 14th Massachusetts Regiment14th Massachusetts Regiment
The 14th Massachusetts Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 under Colonel Gamaliel Bradford at Boston, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Saratoga and the Battle of Monmouth. The regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1781 at West Point, New York.-External links:*...
(Bradford’s Regiment) was a new organization, raised under the Eighty-Eight Battalion Resolve of September 16, 1776. The commanding officer, Gamaliel Bradford, had been a militia officer in 1776.
15th Massachusetts Regiment (1777)
The 15th Massachusetts Regiment15th Massachusetts Regiment
The 15th Massachusetts Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 under Colonel Bigelow at Boston, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Saratoga, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Rhode Island. The regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1781 at West Point, New...
(Bigelow’s Regiment) was a new organization, raised under the Eighty-Eight Battalion Resolve of September 16, 1776. The commanding officer, Timothy Bigelow, was a captain of Ward’s Regiment and the major after June 17, 1775. He was captured at Quebec on December 31, 1775. In 1776 he was appointed major of the 21st Continental Regiment but was a prisoner at the time, was not exchanged until May 1776, and did not join the regiment that year.
Disbanded units
The remnant of the 12th Continental Regiment, under Colonel Moses LittleMoses Little
Moses Little , born on May 8, 1724 in Newbury, Massachusetts. Moses Little served in the Massachusetts militia and with his company marched to the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775...
, was disbanded at Morristown, New Jersey in February 1777.
The remnant of the 13th Continental Regiment, under Colonel Joseph Read
Joseph Read
Joseph Read was a soldier and a Colonel in the American Revolutionary War.-Early life:Read was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, the son of John and Lucy Read. He married Eunice Taft of Uxbridge on Nov 22, 1753...
, was disbanded at Morristown, New Jersey, in January, 1777. However, the remnant of Peters' Company was consolidated with Bailey's Regiment and reorganized as Warren's Company; and the remnant of Walbridge's Company was consolidated with Putnam's Regiment and reorganized as Goodale's Company.
The remnant of the 14th Continental Regiment, under Colonel John Glover, was disbanded in eastern Pennsylvania on the last day of December, 1776. Glover later returned to the Continental service as a general officer and commanded one of the Continental Army’s Massachusetts brigades. His third in command, Major William Raymond Lee, became the colonel of Lee's Additional Continental Regiment
Lee's Additional Continental Regiment
Lee's Additional Continental Regiment was raised on January 12, 1777 with troops from Massachusetts at Cambridge, Massachusetts for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Rhode Island. The Regiment was merged into the 16th...
.
Reorganization of the Massachusetts Line, 1778-1779
While the Main Army, that portion of Washington’s army under his immediate command, was in winter quarters at Valley ForgeValley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
, the Congress acted to reduce the size and increase the tactical efficiency of the Continental Army. On May 27, 1778, it resolved that the number of infantry regiments be reduced from 88 to 80. The quota of regiments assigned to the states was 3 from New Hampshire, 15 from Massachusetts, 2 from Rhode Island, 8 from Connecticut, 5 from New York, 3 from New Jersey, 11 from Pennsylvania, 1 from Delaware, 8 from Maryland, 11 from Virginia, 6 from North Carolina, 6 from South Carolina, and 1 from Georgia. Under this reorganization, the Massachusetts quota was unchanged.
The official establishment of a regiment was reduced to 582 officers and men. Each regiment was to consist of nine rather than eight companies. The ninth company was to be a company of light infantry
Light infantry
Traditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
, and was to be kept up to strength by drafting men from the regiment’s eight other companies if necessary. During the campaigning season, the light infantry companies of the regiments in a field army were to be combined into a special corps of light infantry.
Because the Continental Congress passed this resolve at the beginning of the campaigning season, it was nearly a year before this reorganization was completed. The reorganization of the Continental Line was finalized on March 9, 1779.
On July 24, 1780, Henry Jackson’s Additional Continental Regiment was officially redesignated the 16th Massachusetts Regiment.
Reorganization of the Massachusetts Line, 1781
In October 1780, the Continental Congress, in consultation with General WashingtonGeorge 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...
, passed resolutions providing for what would be the last reorganization of the Continental Army before its final disbandment. The Congress determined that on January 1, 1781, the Continental Line was to be reduced from 80 regiments to 50. The quota of regiments assigned to the states was 2 from New Hampshire, 10 from Massachusetts, 1 from Rhode Island, 5 from Connecticut, 2 from New York, 2 from New Jersey, 6 from Pennsylvania, 1 from Delaware, 5 from Maryland, 8 from Virginia, 4 from North Carolina, 2 from South Carolina, and 1 from Georgia. In addition, 1 regiment (Colonel Moses Hazen’s
Canadian Regiment) was to be raised at large.
Under this reorganization, the Massachusetts quota was reduced from fifteen regiments to ten. Accordingly, the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Massachusetts Regiments were disbanded on January 1, 1781.
The official establishment of an infantry regiment was increased to 717 officers and men. Each regiment continued to have nine companies, including a light infantry company, but the companies were made larger. For the first time, each regiment was to have a permanent recruiting party of 1 lieutenant, 1 drummer, and 1 fifer. Thus, there were to be ten recruiting parties in Massachusetts to systematically find and forward recruits to the Massachusetts regiments in the field.
Peace Negotiations
The prolonged period of peace negotiations following the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, on October 19, 1781, presented the Continental Congress with the dilemma of keeping up a military force until the definitive peace treaty was signed, even though the national finances were exhausted. On August 7, 1782, the Continental Congress resolved that the states should reduce their lines on January 1, 1783. Each regiment retained in service was then to contain not less than 500 rank and file.The preliminary peace treaty
Treaty of Paris (1783)
The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain on the one hand and the United States of America and its allies on the other. The other combatant nations, France, Spain and the Dutch Republic had separate agreements; for details of...
was signed on November 30, 1782.
Reorganization of the Massachusetts Line, 1783
On January 1, 1783, the 9th Massachusetts Regiment was disbanded at West Point and the 10th Massachusetts Regiment was disbanded at Verplanck’s Point, New York, reducing the Massachusetts Line to eight regiments.Armistice
Great BritainGreat Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
signed preliminary articles of peace with France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
on January 20, 1783, and, on February 4, 1783, Britain announced the cessation of hostilities.
The Continental Congress received the text of the preliminary peace treaty on March 13, 1783, and the Continental Congress proclaimed the cessation of hostilities on April 11, 1783. It ratified the preliminary peace treaty on April 15, 1783.
In General Orders issued at Newburgh, New York, April 18, 1783, Washington announced that the armistice would go into effect at noon, April 19, 1783 - the eighth anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord.
Demobilization of the Massachusetts Line
The 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Massachusetts Regiments were placed on furlough on June 12, 1783. The Massachusetts Line was reduced to eight regiments, of which only four were actually in the field. The remaining four, on furlough, were never recalled to active duty.Peace and disbandment
The final treaty of peaceTreaty of Paris (1783)
The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain on the one hand and the United States of America and its allies on the other. The other combatant nations, France, Spain and the Dutch Republic had separate agreements; for details of...
was signed in Paris on September 3, 1783.
On October 18, 1783, the Continental Congress proclaimed that Continental troops on furlough were to be discharged on November 3, 1783. The Main Army, with the exception of a small observation force in the Hudson Highlands under the command of General Henry Knox
Henry Knox
Henry Knox was a military officer of the Continental Army and later the United States Army, and also served as the first United States Secretary of War....
, was disbanded on November 3, 1783. The disbanded units included the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th Massachusetts Regiments. After this date no part of the Massachusetts Line remained in the field, although the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Massachusetts Regiments remained on furlough and had not been formally disbanded.
The Northern Army was disbanded on November 5, 1783, and the Southern Army was disbanded on November 15, 1783. On the latter date the furloughed 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Massachusetts Regiments were formally disbanded, and the Massachusetts Line ceased to exist.
New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
was evacuated by British troops on November 25, 1783. The
British fleet left New York City on December 4, 1783, and on the same day Washington bid farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern
Fraunces Tavern
Fraunces Tavern is a tavern, restaurant and museum housed in a conjectural reconstruction of a building that played a prominent role in pre-Revolution and American Revolution history. The building, located at 54 Pearl Street at the corner of Broad Street, has been owned by Sons of the Revolution in...
.
First American Regiment of 1784
After November 3, 1783, the Continental Line was reduced to a handful of units. These disbanded in November and December. The single regiment remaining in service after the new year began was under the command of Colonel Henry JacksonHenry Jackson (general)
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on 19 October 1747, Henry Jackson was the youngest son of Joseph and Susannah Jackson. Before the War for Independence, he was an officer of the First Corps of Cadets in Boston, which was disbanded during the British occupation...
.
The Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784.
The United States and Great Britain exchanged ratifications of the Treaty of Paris on May 12, 1784.
Jackson's Continental Regiment (The First American Regiment) was disbanded at West Point, New York, on June 2, 1784.
External links
- Bibliography of the Continental Army in Massachusetts compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History
- Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War Volume 4 1898
- Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War Volume 10 1902
- Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War Volume 14 1906