1st Pennsylvania Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 1st Pennsylvania Regiment, also known as the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment and 1st Continental Regiment, was raised under the command of Colonel William Thompson
for service in the Continental Army
.
and later as special reserve forces.
Seven companies of the regiment (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th) were made up of mostly Scots-Irish
; the 6th and 7th companies were mostly German, from Berks
and Northampton
counties. Their standard weapon was the long rifle
, which had greater range and accuracy than the muskets used by most of the British Army
and Continental Army
, but less weight of shot, slower rate of fire, and were without bayonets, making the regiment unsuitable for line-of-battle.
Doctor James Thacher
, a young doctor from Barnstable who observed the regiment during many of its battles, provided this description of the riflemen:
In 1776, when a new army was raised following the expiration of enlistments at the end of 1775, the rifle regiment, whose term of enlistment did not expire until July 1, as the first troops to enlist as Continentals, received the honor of being named 1st Continental Regiment.
The regiment saw action during the New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton
, Second Battle of Trenton
, and Battle of Princeton
. At the Battle of Brandywine
the regiment was led by Colonel James Chambers and assigned to Colonel Thomas Hartley
's 1st Pennsylvania Brigade. Under the direction of acting division commander Brigadier General Anthony Wayne
, the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment fought near Chadds Ford where it held the "post of honor", the far right flank of the division. At the Battle of Germantown
the regiment was brigaded with the 2nd
, 7th
, and 10th Pennsylvania Regiments
. The unit again fought on the extreme right flank of the division just east of Germantown Road. Afterward, the regiment's Major Henry Miller boasted to his family about how the division routed the British troops opposed to them and overran their camp. The 1st was in action at the Battle of Matson's Ford
on December 11, 1777.
The unit also fought at the Battle of Monmouth
in 1778 and the Battle of Springfield in 1780
. Two companies, those of Captain William Hendricks and Captain Matthew Smith
, accompanied Arnold's expedition to Quebec and were captured in the Battle of Quebec
. The regiment was furloughed June 11, 1783 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
and disbanded on November 15, 1783.
Company C of the 337th Engineer Battalion claims lineage from Captain Michael Doudeis Company of York, Pennsylvania of the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment.
William Thompson (general)
William Thompson was a soldier from Pennsylvania and a brigadier general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.Thompson was born in Ireland and emigrated to Carlisle, Pennsylvania...
for service in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
.
History
The Congressional resolution of June 14, 1775 authorized ten companies of expert riflemen to be raised for one-year enlistments as Continental troops. Maryland and Virginia were to raise two companies each, and Pennsylvania six. Pennsylvania frontiersman, however were so eager to participate that on June 22 Pennsylvania's quota of companies was increased to eight, organized as a regiment known as the "Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment." A ninth company was added to the regiment on July 11. All thirteen companies were sent to Washington's army at Boston for use as light infantryLight 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 later as special reserve forces.
Seven companies of the regiment (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th) were made up of mostly Scots-Irish
Scots-Irish American
Scotch-Irish Americans are an estimated 250,000 Presbyterian and other Protestant dissenters from the Irish province of Ulster who immigrated to North America primarily during the colonial era and their descendants. Some scholars also include the 150,000 Ulster Protestants who immigrated to...
; the 6th and 7th companies were mostly German, from Berks
Berks County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile...
and Northampton
Northampton County, Pennsylvania
As of the 2010 census, the county was 86.3% White, 5.0% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 2.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 2.2% were two or more races, and 3.8% were some other race. 10.5% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.As of the census of...
counties. Their standard weapon was the long rifle
Long rifle
The American longrifle , better known as the Kentucky rifle was described best by Captain John G. W. Dillin in the dedication to his seminal 1924 book, The Kentucky Rifle:...
, which had greater range and accuracy than the muskets used by most of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
and Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
, but less weight of shot, slower rate of fire, and were without bayonets, making the regiment unsuitable for line-of-battle.
Doctor James Thacher
James Thacher
James Thacher was an American physician and writer, born in Barnstable, Mass. From 1775 to 1783 he was a surgeon in the Revolution, in the Massachusetts 16th Regiment. Afterward, he practiced in Plymouth, Mass. until his death....
, a young doctor from Barnstable who observed the regiment during many of its battles, provided this description of the riflemen:
They are remarkably stout and hardy men; many of them exceeding six feet in height. They are dressed in white frocks or rifle shirts and round hats. There men are remarkable for the accuracy of their aim; striking a mark with great certainty at two hundred yards distance. At a review, a company of them, while in a quick advance, fired their balls into objects of seven inches diameter at the distance of 250 yards . . . their shot have frequently proved fatal to British officers and soldiers who expose themselves to view at more than double the distance of common musket shot.
(Source: James Thacher, "Military Journal during the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783".)
In 1776, when a new army was raised following the expiration of enlistments at the end of 1775, the rifle regiment, whose term of enlistment did not expire until July 1, as the first troops to enlist as Continentals, received the honor of being named 1st Continental Regiment.
The regiment saw action during the New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton took place on December 26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, after General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton, New Jersey. The hazardous crossing in adverse weather made it possible for Washington to lead the main body of the...
, Second Battle of Trenton
Second Battle of Trenton
The Battle of the Assunpink Creek, also known as the Second Battle of Trenton, was a battle between American and British troops that took place in and around Trenton, New Jersey, on January 2, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, and resulted in an American victory.Following a surprise...
, and Battle of Princeton
Battle of Princeton
The Battle of Princeton was a battle in which General George Washington's revolutionary forces defeated British forces near Princeton, New Jersey....
. At the Battle of Brandywine
Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine, also known as the Battle of the Brandywine or the Battle of Brandywine Creek, was fought between the American army of Major General George Washington and the British-Hessian army of General Sir William Howe on September 11, 1777. The British defeated the Americans and...
the regiment was led by Colonel James Chambers and assigned to Colonel Thomas Hartley
Thomas Hartley
Thomas Hartley was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician from York, Pennsylvania.He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania and practiced law in York...
's 1st Pennsylvania Brigade. Under the direction of acting division commander Brigadier General Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne was a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony.-Early...
, the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment fought near Chadds Ford where it held the "post of honor", the far right flank of the division. At the Battle of Germantown
Battle of Germantown
The Battle of Germantown, a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War, was fought on October 4, 1777, at Germantown, Pennsylvania between the British army led by Sir William Howe and the American army under George Washington...
the regiment was brigaded with the 2nd
2nd Pennsylvania Regiment
The 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, also known as The 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, was raised, October 12, 1775, under the command of Colonel John Bull for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action during the Battles of Brooklyn, Valcour Island, Trenton, the Brandywine, Germantown,...
, 7th
7th Pennsylvania Regiment
The 7th Pennsylvania Regiment was raised January 4, 1776 at Carlisle, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Springfield...
, and 10th Pennsylvania Regiments
10th Pennsylvania Regiment
The 10th Pennsylvania Regiment was raised September 16, 1776 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Springfield...
. The unit again fought on the extreme right flank of the division just east of Germantown Road. Afterward, the regiment's Major Henry Miller boasted to his family about how the division routed the British troops opposed to them and overran their camp. The 1st was in action at the Battle of Matson's Ford
Battle of Matson's Ford
The Battle of Matson's Ford was a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on December 11, 1777 in the area surrounding Matson's Ford . In this series of minor skirmish actions, advance patrols of Pennsylvania militia encountered a British foraging expedition...
on December 11, 1777.
The unit also fought 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...
in 1778 and the Battle of Springfield in 1780
Battle of Springfield (1780)
The Battle of Springfield was fought during the American Revolutionary War on June 23, 1780. After the Battle of Connecticut Farms, on June 7, 1780, had foiled Lieutenant General Wilhelm, Baron von Knyphausen’s expedition to attack General George Washington’s army at Morristown, New Jersey,...
. Two companies, those of Captain William Hendricks and Captain Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith (Pennsylvania statesman)
Matthew Smith —the dates of his birth and death apparently unknown—was a Pennsylvania politician. He served briefly as Vice-President of Pennsylvania following the resignation of George Bryan on 11 October 1779...
, accompanied Arnold's expedition to Quebec and were captured in the Battle of Quebec
Battle of Quebec (1775)
The Battle of Quebec was fought on December 31, 1775 between American Continental Army forces and the British defenders of the city of Quebec, early in the American Revolutionary War. The battle was the first major defeat of the war for the Americans, and it came at a high price...
. The regiment was furloughed June 11, 1783 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
and disbanded on November 15, 1783.
Company C of the 337th Engineer Battalion claims lineage from Captain Michael Doudeis Company of York, Pennsylvania of the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment.
External links
- Bibliography of the Continental Army in Pennsylvania compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History