3rd Continental Light Dragoons
Encyclopedia
The 3rd Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Baylor's Horse or Lady Washington's Horse, was a mounted regiment of the Continental Army
raised on January 1, 1777 at Morristown, New Jersey
. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Brandywine
, Battle of Germantown
and the Battle of Guilford Court House
.
The regiment was surprised on the night of September 27, 1778, while sleeping in barns near Old Tappan, New Jersey
, in close proximity to British positions. Referred to by the Continentals as the "Baylor Massacre
", at least 67 men were made casualties and 70 horses killed. Among the captured was the regimental commander, Lt. Col. George Baylor
, who was replaced on November 20, 1778 by Lt. Col. William Washington
, transferred from the 4th Continental Light Dragoons
. In 1779, while recruiting and remounting, the regiment rescued James Wilson
during the "Fort Wilson Riot". The 3rd CLD was posted to the Southern department on November 1, 1779.
Losses of 15 killed, 17 wounded, and 100 men captured along with 83 horses in a night attack by British Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton
on April 14, 1780, led to the unofficial amalgamation of the regiment with the 1st Continental Light Dragoons
, commonly known as the "1st and 3rd Light Dragoons" as Washington deferred to his friend and senior, Lt. Col. Anthony White
, whom he had served under in the 4th CLD. Washington resumed command of the attrited unit on May 6, 1780, when it was attacked on the Santee River and White captured.
In the 1781 campaign, Washington and his men distinguished themselves in mounted charges at the Battle of Cowpens
in January, the Battle of Guilford Court House
in March, and the Battle of Eutaw Springs
in September. At Eutaw Springs Washington was pinned under his fallen mount, bayoneted, and captured. Captain William Parsons, the senior surviving officer, commanded the corps until Lt-Col. Baylor was exchanged in June 1782 and resumed command. When the companies of the 4th CLD were parceled out during the siege of Yorktown
, the 1st and 3rd accepted its few remaining mounted troopers.
The regiment was officially merged into the 1st Legionary Corps
on November 2, 1782, with the consolidated unit of five troops designated the 1st Legionary Corps.
A member of the 3rd Continental Dragoons was Maryland Congressman Philip Stuart
,
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...
raised on January 1, 1777 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...
. The regiment saw action 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...
, 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...
and the Battle of Guilford Court House
Battle of Guilford Court House
The Battle of Guilford Court House was a battle fought on March 15, 1781 in Greensboro, the county seat of Guilford County, North Carolina, during the American Revolutionary War...
.
The regiment was surprised on the night of September 27, 1778, while sleeping in barns near Old Tappan, New Jersey
Old Tappan, New Jersey
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,750 people. The population density was 1,725.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 74.8% Caucasian, 22.2% Asian, 0.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanics...
, in close proximity to British positions. Referred to by the Continentals as the "Baylor Massacre
Baylor Massacre
A raid, widely known as the "Baylor Massacre" or the "Tappan Massacre", was a surprise attack on September 27, 1778, against the 3rd Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons under the command of Colonel George Baylor during the American Revolutionary War. It occurred in the present-day town of River...
", at least 67 men were made casualties and 70 horses killed. Among the captured was the regimental commander, Lt. Col. George Baylor
George Baylor
George Baylor was an officer in the Continental Army, serving throughout the American Revolution.-Military career:...
, who was replaced on November 20, 1778 by Lt. Col. William Washington
William Washington
William Washington , was an officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, who held a final rank of Brigadier General in the newly created United States after the war...
, transferred from the 4th Continental Light Dragoons
4th Continental Light Dragoons
The 4th Continental Light Dragoons also known as Moylan's Horse was raised on January 5, 1777 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army under Colonel Stephen Moylan...
. In 1779, while recruiting and remounting, the regiment rescued James Wilson
James Wilson
James Wilson was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. Wilson was elected twice to the Continental Congress, and was a major force in drafting the United States Constitution...
during the "Fort Wilson Riot". The 3rd CLD was posted to the Southern department on November 1, 1779.
Losses of 15 killed, 17 wounded, and 100 men captured along with 83 horses in a night attack by British Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton
Banastre Tarleton
General Sir Banastre Tarleton, 1st Baronet, GCB was a British soldier and politician.He is today probably best remembered for his military service during the American War of Independence. He became the focal point of a propaganda campaign claiming that he had fired upon surrendering Continental...
on April 14, 1780, led to the unofficial amalgamation of the regiment with the 1st Continental Light Dragoons
1st Continental Light Dragoons
The 1st Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Bland's Horse, was a mounted regiment of the Continental Army organized between 13 June and 10 September 1776 in Williamsburg, Virginia from eastern and northern Virginia for service with the Continental Army.The regiment was first authorized 8 June...
, commonly known as the "1st and 3rd Light Dragoons" as Washington deferred to his friend and senior, Lt. Col. Anthony White
Anthony Walton White
Anthony Walton White was a cavalry officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.-Early life:Anthony W. White was the son of Anthony White...
, whom he had served under in the 4th CLD. Washington resumed command of the attrited unit on May 6, 1780, when it was attacked on the Santee River and White captured.
In the 1781 campaign, Washington and his men distinguished themselves in mounted charges at the Battle of Cowpens
Battle of Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens was a decisive victory by Patriot Revolutionary forces under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
in January, the Battle of Guilford Court House
Battle of Guilford Court House
The Battle of Guilford Court House was a battle fought on March 15, 1781 in Greensboro, the county seat of Guilford County, North Carolina, during the American Revolutionary War...
in March, and the Battle of Eutaw Springs
Battle of Eutaw Springs
The Battle of Eutaw Springs was a battle of the American Revolutionary War, and was the last major engagement of the war in the Carolinas.-Background:...
in September. At Eutaw Springs Washington was pinned under his fallen mount, bayoneted, and captured. Captain William Parsons, the senior surviving officer, commanded the corps until Lt-Col. Baylor was exchanged in June 1782 and resumed command. When the companies of the 4th CLD were parceled out during the siege of Yorktown
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 1st and 3rd accepted its few remaining mounted troopers.
The regiment was officially merged into the 1st Legionary Corps
1st Continental Light Dragoons
The 1st Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Bland's Horse, was a mounted regiment of the Continental Army organized between 13 June and 10 September 1776 in Williamsburg, Virginia from eastern and northern Virginia for service with the Continental Army.The regiment was first authorized 8 June...
on November 2, 1782, with the consolidated unit of five troops designated the 1st Legionary Corps.
A member of the 3rd Continental Dragoons was Maryland Congressman Philip Stuart
Philip Stuart
Philip Stuart was an American politician and soldier who represented the state of Maryland in the House of Representatives....
,
External links
- 3rd Continental Light Dragoon Reenactment Group
- 3rd CLD Veteran {reference only}
- Bibliography of Continental Army Dragoons compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History