Rogers' Rangers
Encyclopedia
Rogers' Rangers was an independent company
of colonial militia, attached to the British Army
during the Seven Years War (called the French and Indian War
in the United States). The unit was informally trained by Major Robert Rogers
as a rapidly deployable light infantry
force tasked with reconnaissance
and conducting special operations
against distant targets. Their military tactics were so bold and effective that the unit became the chief scouting unit of British Crown forces in the late 1750s. The British valued them highly for gathering intelligence
about the enemy. Later, several members of Rogers' Rangers became influential leaders in the American Revolutionary War
. Numerous ex-rangers participated as patriot
militiamen at the Battle of Concord Bridge
.
Three military formations now claim descent from Rogers' Rangers:
that fought for the Kingdom of Great Britain
during what was called the French and Indian War
in the later United States and the Seven Years War in Canada, Britain and Europe. Commanded by Major Robert Rogers
, they operated primarily in the Lake George
and Lake Champlain
regions of New York
. The unit was formed during the severe winter of 1755 by provincial forces entrenched at Fort William Henry
. The Rangers frequently undertook winter raids against French
towns and military emplacements, traveling on crude snowshoes and across frozen rivers.
Although never fully respected by the British regulars
, Rogers' Rangers were one of the few non-Indian forces able to operate in the region. Harsh winter conditions and mountainous terrain created rigorous conditions.
On January 21, 1757, at the First Battle on Snowshoes
, Rogers' force of 74 rangers ambushed and captured seven Frenchmen near Fort Carillon
at the south end of Lake Champlain
. They ran into about 100 French and Canadien (French Canadian) militia and Ottawa
from the Ohio Country
. After taking casualties, Rogers' force retreated. In reports, the French noted the tactical disadvantage which they suffered, as they were without snowshoes and "floundering in snow up to their knees." Rogers' Rangers had maintained positions on the high ground and behind large trees. According to Francis Parkman
, Ranger casualties were 14 killed and 6 captured, with 48 returning unharmed and 6 returning wounded. The French—consisting of 89 Regulars and 90 Canadians and Indians—had 37 killed and wounded.
After British forces surrendered Fort William Henry
in August 1757, the Rangers were stationed on Rogers Island
near Fort Edward
. This allowed the Rangers to train and operate with more freedom than the regular forces.
On March 13, 1758, at the Second Battle on Snowshoes
, Rogers' Rangers ambushed a French-Indian column and, in turn, were ambushed by enemy forces. The Rangers lost 125 men in this encounter, as well as eight men wounded, with 52 surviving. One reference reports casualties of the Regulars, who had volunteered to accompany the Rangers, at 2 captured and 5 killed. Of Rogers' Rangers, 78 were captured and 47 killed and missing (of whom 19 were captured). Rogers estimated 100 killed and nearly 100 wounded of the French-Indian forces. But, the French listed casualties as total of ten Indians killed, seventeen wounded and three Canadians wounded.
The French originally reported killing Rogers in the second battle. This report was based on their finding some of his belongings, including his regimental coat containing his military commission, but he escaped. This episode also gave rise to the legend about Rogers’ sliding 400 feet down the side of a mountain to the frozen surface of Lake George. While there is no proof of this event, the rockface became known as "Rogers' Slide" or "Rogers Rock".
On July 7–8, 1758 Rogers' Rangers took part in Battle of Carillon
. On July 27, 1758 between Fort Edwards and Half-Way Brook, 300 Indians and 200 French/Canadians under Captain St. Luc ambushed a convoy. The British lost 116 killed (including 16 Rangers) and 60 captured.
On August 8, 1758 near Crown Point, New York
, a British force of Rangers, light infantry and provincials was ambushed by a French-Canadian-Indian force of 450 under Captain Marin. In this action, Major Israel Putnam
was captured. Francis Parkman
reports that the English fatalities were 49 and that the enemy killed were "..more than a hundred..". Likewise Rogers claimed English losses were 33 and that the enemy had losses of 199. However another source reports that the French casualties were 4 Indians and 6 Canadians killed, and 4 Indians and 6 Canadians {including an officer and a cadet} wounded.
During 1759, the Rangers were involved in one of their most famous operations: they were ordered to destroy the Abenaki settlement of Saint-Francis
in Quebec
. It has been the base for raids and attacks of British settlements. Rogers led a force of 200 rangers from Crown Point deep into French territory. Following the October 3, 1759 attack and successful destruction
of Saint-Francis, Rogers' force ran out of food during their retreat through the wilderness of northern New England
. Once the Rangers reached a safe location along the Connecticut River
at the abandoned Fort Wentworth
, Rogers left them encamped. He returned a few days later with food, and relief forces from Fort at Number 4
(now Charlestown, New Hampshire
), the nearest British outpost.
In the raid on Saint-Francis, Rogers claimed 200 enemies were killed, leaving 20 women and children to be taken prisoner, of whom he took five children prisoner and let the rest go. The French recorded that only 30 were killed, including 20 women and children. According to Francis Parkman
Ranger casualties in the attack were 1 killed and 6 wounded; however in the retreat, 5 were captured from one band of Rangers and nearly all in another party of about 20 Rangers were killed or captured. One source alleges that of about 204 Rangers, allies and observers, only about 100 returned.
from the French forces. After the war, most of the Rangers returned to civilian life. In 1763 a unit of the Rogers' Rangers, the 80th Regiment of Light-Armed Foot
(1758–1764), were ambushed at the Devil's Hole Massacre during Pontiac's Rebellion
.
At the outbreak of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord, former Rangers were among the Minutemen firing at the British. After these events, Rogers offered his help to the commander of the Colonial Army, George Washington
. Washington refused, fearing that Rogers was a spy
because Rogers had just returned from a long stay in England. Infuriated by the rejection, Rogers joined the British, where he formed the Queen's Rangers
(1776) and later the King's Rangers
. Several former Rangers served under General Benedict Arnold
in revolutionary forces around Lake Champlain
.
The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) of the Canadian Army claim to be descended from Rogers' Rangers. Also claiming descent from Rogers' Rangers are the 1st Battalion 119th Field Artillery
of Michigan and the U.S. Army Rangers.
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
of colonial militia, attached to 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...
during the Seven Years War (called the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
in the United States). The unit was informally trained by Major Robert Rogers
Robert Rogers (soldier)
Robert Rogers was an American colonial frontiersman. Rogers served in the British army during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution...
as a rapidly deployable 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...
force tasked with reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
and conducting special operations
Special operations
Special operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
against distant targets. Their military tactics were so bold and effective that the unit became the chief scouting unit of British Crown forces in the late 1750s. The British valued them highly for gathering intelligence
Intelligence (information gathering)
Intelligence assessment is the development of forecasts of behaviour or recommended courses of action to the leadership of an organization, based on a wide range of available information sources both overt and covert. Assessments are developed in response to requirements declared by the leadership...
about the enemy. Later, several members of Rogers' Rangers became influential leaders in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. Numerous ex-rangers participated as patriot
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
militiamen at the Battle of Concord Bridge
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. They were fought on April 19, 1775, in Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay, within the towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy , and Cambridge, near Boston...
.
Three military formations now claim descent from Rogers' Rangers:
- The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) of the Canadian Army, formed from LoyalistLoyalistIn general, a loyalist is someone who maintains loyalty to an established government, political party, or sovereign, especially during war or revolutionary change. In modern English usage, the most common application is to loyalty to the British Crown....
veterans of Rogers' Rangers, including Rogers himself; - The 1st Battalion 119th Field Artillery1st Battalion 119th Field ArtilleryThe 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery is part of the Michigan Army National Guard. Headquartered in Charlotte, Michigan, it consists of three batteries and a support company: Battery A in Port Huron, Battery B in Alma, Battery C in Albion, and an FSC Company in Augusta...
of the Michigan National GuardMichigan National GuardThe Michigan National Guard consists of the Michigan Army National Guard and the Michigan Air National Guard.-Units:Michigan Army National Guard units include:* Joint Forces Headquarters, Lansing, MI* 177th Military Police Brigade, Taylor, MI...
, with members directly descended by unbroken lines from the 30-strong detachment of Rogers' Rangers stationed in Fort Detroit; and - The U.S. Army Rangers, who claim they revive the traditions of Rogers' Rangers but whose members have no direct personal line of descent.
French and Indian War
Rogers' Rangers were a North American colonial militiaMilitia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
that fought for the Kingdom of Great Britain
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
during what was called the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
in the later United States and the Seven Years War in Canada, Britain and Europe. Commanded by Major Robert Rogers
Robert Rogers (soldier)
Robert Rogers was an American colonial frontiersman. Rogers served in the British army during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution...
, they operated primarily in the Lake George
Lake George (New York)
Lake George, nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes, is a long, narrow oligotrophic lake draining northwards into Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River Drainage basin located at the southeast base of the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York, U.S.A.. It lies within the upper region of the...
and Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
regions of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The unit was formed during the severe winter of 1755 by provincial forces entrenched at Fort William Henry
Fort William Henry
Fort William Henry was a British fort at the southern end of Lake George in the province of New York. It is best known as the site of notorious atrocities committed by Indians against the surrendered British and provincial troops following a successful French siege in 1757, an event which is the...
. The Rangers frequently undertook winter raids against French
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...
towns and military emplacements, traveling on crude snowshoes and across frozen rivers.
Although never fully respected by the British regulars
Regular Army
The Regular Army of the United States was and is the successor to the Continental Army as the country's permanent, professional military establishment. Even in modern times the professional core of the United States Army continues to be called the Regular Army...
, Rogers' Rangers were one of the few non-Indian forces able to operate in the region. Harsh winter conditions and mountainous terrain created rigorous conditions.
On January 21, 1757, at the First Battle on Snowshoes
Battle on Snowshoes (1757)
The 1757 Battle on Snowshoes was a skirmish fought between Rogers' Rangers and French and Indian troops during the French and Indian War on January 21, 1757...
, Rogers' force of 74 rangers ambushed and captured seven Frenchmen near Fort Carillon
Fort Carillon
Fort Carillon was constructed by Pierre de Rigaud de Vaudreuil, Governor of Canada, to protect Lake Champlain from a British invasion. The fort was not far from Fort Saint Frédéric. It was built to prevent an attack on Canada and slow the advance of the enemy long enough to send reinforcements...
at the south end of Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
. They ran into about 100 French and Canadien (French Canadian) militia and Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
from the Ohio Country
Ohio Country
The Ohio Country was the name used in the 18th century for the regions of North America west of the Appalachian Mountains and in the region of the upper Ohio River south of Lake Erie...
. After taking casualties, Rogers' force retreated. In reports, the French noted the tactical disadvantage which they suffered, as they were without snowshoes and "floundering in snow up to their knees." Rogers' Rangers had maintained positions on the high ground and behind large trees. According to Francis Parkman
Francis Parkman
Francis Parkman was an American historian, best known as author of The Oregon Trail: Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life and his monumental seven-volume France and England in North America. These works are still valued as history and especially as literature, although the biases of his...
, Ranger casualties were 14 killed and 6 captured, with 48 returning unharmed and 6 returning wounded. The French—consisting of 89 Regulars and 90 Canadians and Indians—had 37 killed and wounded.
After British forces surrendered Fort William Henry
Battle of Fort William Henry
The Siege of Fort William Henry was conducted in August 1757 by French General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm against the British-held Fort William Henry...
in August 1757, the Rangers were stationed on Rogers Island
Rogers Island (New York)
Rogers Island is an island on the Hudson River, in Washington County, New York, that once formed part of the third largest city in colonial North America, and is considered the "spiritual home" of the United States Special Operations Forces, particularly the United States Army...
near Fort Edward
Fort Edward (village), New York
Fort Edward is a village in Washington County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The village population was 3,141 at the 2000 census...
. This allowed the Rangers to train and operate with more freedom than the regular forces.
On March 13, 1758, at the Second Battle on Snowshoes
Battle on Snowshoes
The 1758 Battle on Snowshoes occurred on March 13, 1758, during the French and Indian War. It was fought by members of British Ranger companies led by Robert Rogers against French troops and Indians allied to France...
, Rogers' Rangers ambushed a French-Indian column and, in turn, were ambushed by enemy forces. The Rangers lost 125 men in this encounter, as well as eight men wounded, with 52 surviving. One reference reports casualties of the Regulars, who had volunteered to accompany the Rangers, at 2 captured and 5 killed. Of Rogers' Rangers, 78 were captured and 47 killed and missing (of whom 19 were captured). Rogers estimated 100 killed and nearly 100 wounded of the French-Indian forces. But, the French listed casualties as total of ten Indians killed, seventeen wounded and three Canadians wounded.
The French originally reported killing Rogers in the second battle. This report was based on their finding some of his belongings, including his regimental coat containing his military commission, but he escaped. This episode also gave rise to the legend about Rogers’ sliding 400 feet down the side of a mountain to the frozen surface of Lake George. While there is no proof of this event, the rockface became known as "Rogers' Slide" or "Rogers Rock".
On July 7–8, 1758 Rogers' Rangers took part in Battle of Carillon
Battle of Carillon
The Battle of Carillon, also known as the 1758 Battle of Ticonderoga, was fought on July 8, 1758, during the French and Indian War...
. On July 27, 1758 between Fort Edwards and Half-Way Brook, 300 Indians and 200 French/Canadians under Captain St. Luc ambushed a convoy. The British lost 116 killed (including 16 Rangers) and 60 captured.
On August 8, 1758 near Crown Point, New York
Crown Point, New York
Crown Point is a town in Essex County, New York, USA. The population was 2,119 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is a direct translation of the original French name, "Point au Chevalure."...
, a British force of Rangers, light infantry and provincials was ambushed by a French-Canadian-Indian force of 450 under Captain Marin. In this action, Major Israel Putnam
Israel Putnam
Israel Putnam was an American army general and Freemason who fought with distinction at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War...
was captured. Francis Parkman
Francis Parkman
Francis Parkman was an American historian, best known as author of The Oregon Trail: Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life and his monumental seven-volume France and England in North America. These works are still valued as history and especially as literature, although the biases of his...
reports that the English fatalities were 49 and that the enemy killed were "..more than a hundred..". Likewise Rogers claimed English losses were 33 and that the enemy had losses of 199. However another source reports that the French casualties were 4 Indians and 6 Canadians killed, and 4 Indians and 6 Canadians {including an officer and a cadet} wounded.
During 1759, the Rangers were involved in one of their most famous operations: they were ordered to destroy the Abenaki settlement of Saint-Francis
Saint-François-du-Lac, Quebec
Saint-François-du-Lac is a community in the Nicolet-Yamaska Regional County Municipality of Quebec, Canada. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 2,002...
in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. It has been the base for raids and attacks of British settlements. Rogers led a force of 200 rangers from Crown Point deep into French territory. Following the October 3, 1759 attack and successful destruction
St. Francis Raid
The St. Francis Raid was an attack in the French and Indian War by Robert Rogers and a band of his Rangers on the primarily Abenaki village of St. Francis, near the southern shore of the Saint Lawrence River in what was then the French province of Canada, on October 4, 1759...
of Saint-Francis, Rogers' force ran out of food during their retreat through the wilderness of northern 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...
. Once the Rangers reached a safe location along the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
at the abandoned Fort Wentworth
Fort Wentworth
Fort Wentworth was built by order of Benning Wentworth in 1755. The fort was built at the junction of the Upper Ammonoosuc River and Connecticut River, in Northumberland, New Hampshire, by soldiers of Colonel Joseph Blanchard's New Hampshire Provincial Regiment including Robert Rogers. In 1759,...
, Rogers left them encamped. He returned a few days later with food, and relief forces from Fort at Number 4
Fort at Number 4
The Fort at Number 4 was the northernmost British settlement along the Connecticut River in New Hampshire until after the French and Indian War. Now known as Charlestown, it was more than from the nearest other British settlement at Fort Dummer. Construction began in 1740 by brothers Stephen,...
(now Charlestown, New Hampshire
Charlestown, New Hampshire
Charlestown is a town in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,114 at the 2010 census. The town is home to Hubbard State Forest and the headquarters of the Student Conservation Association....
), the nearest British outpost.
In the raid on Saint-Francis, Rogers claimed 200 enemies were killed, leaving 20 women and children to be taken prisoner, of whom he took five children prisoner and let the rest go. The French recorded that only 30 were killed, including 20 women and children. According to Francis Parkman
Francis Parkman
Francis Parkman was an American historian, best known as author of The Oregon Trail: Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life and his monumental seven-volume France and England in North America. These works are still valued as history and especially as literature, although the biases of his...
Ranger casualties in the attack were 1 killed and 6 wounded; however in the retreat, 5 were captured from one band of Rangers and nearly all in another party of about 20 Rangers were killed or captured. One source alleges that of about 204 Rangers, allies and observers, only about 100 returned.
Pontiac's Rebellion and American War of Independence
At the end of the war, the Rangers were given the task of taking command of Fort DetroitFort Detroit
Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit or Fort Détroit was a fort established by the French officer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in 1701. The location of the former fort is now in the city of Detroit in the U.S...
from the French forces. After the war, most of the Rangers returned to civilian life. In 1763 a unit of the Rogers' Rangers, the 80th Regiment of Light-Armed Foot
80th Regiment of Light-Armed Foot
The 80th Regiment of Light-Armed Foot was the first light infantry regiment in the British Army.-History:The regiment was created in 1758 by Colonel Thomas Gage, and was known as Gage's Light Infantry or "leathercaps"...
(1758–1764), were ambushed at the Devil's Hole Massacre during Pontiac's Rebellion
Pontiac's Rebellion
Pontiac's War, Pontiac's Conspiracy, or Pontiac's Rebellion was a war that was launched in 1763 by a loose confederation of elements of Native American tribes primarily from the Great Lakes region, the Illinois Country, and Ohio Country who were dissatisfied with British postwar policies in the...
.
At the outbreak of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord, former Rangers were among the Minutemen firing at the British. After these events, Rogers offered his help to the commander of the Colonial Army, George 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...
. Washington refused, fearing that Rogers was a spy
SPY
SPY is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* SPY , ticker symbol for Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts* SPY , a satirical monthly, trademarked all-caps* SPY , airport code for San Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire...
because Rogers had just returned from a long stay in England. Infuriated by the rejection, Rogers joined the British, where he formed the Queen's Rangers
Queen's Rangers
The Queen's Rangers was a military unit who fought on the Loyalist side during the American War of Independence. After the war they moved to Nova Scotia and disbanded, but were reformed again in Upper Canada before disbanding again, in 1802, a decade prior to the War of 1812.-French and Indian...
(1776) and later the King's Rangers
King's Rangers
The King's Rangers was a British provincial military unit raised for service during the American Revolutionary War.After Colonel Robert Rogers left the Queen's Rangers he went to Nova Scotia where he raised this unit in 1777. Rogers was famous for his service during the French and Indian War...
. Several former Rangers served under General Benedict 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...
in revolutionary forces around Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
.
The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) of the Canadian Army claim to be descended from Rogers' Rangers. Also claiming descent from Rogers' Rangers are the 1st Battalion 119th Field Artillery
1st Battalion 119th Field Artillery
The 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery is part of the Michigan Army National Guard. Headquartered in Charlotte, Michigan, it consists of three batteries and a support company: Battery A in Port Huron, Battery B in Alma, Battery C in Albion, and an FSC Company in Augusta...
of Michigan and the U.S. Army Rangers.
In popular culture
- The historical novel Northwest PassageNorthwest Passage (novel)Northwest Passage is a historical novel by Kenneth Roberts, published in 1937. Told through the eyes of primary character Langdon Towne, much of this novel centers around the exploits and character of Robert Rogers, the leader of Rogers' Rangers, who were a colonial force fighting with the British...
(1937), by American author Kenneth Roberts, portrayed the events of Rogers' Rangers' raid on the Abenaki town of St. Francis. The first half of the novel was adapted as the film called Northwest PassageNorthwest Passage (1940 film)Northwest Passage is a 1940 film in Technicolor, starring Spencer Tracy, Robert Young, Walter Brennan, Ruth Hussey, and others. It is based on a novel by Kenneth Roberts titled Northwest Passage ....
(1940).
- During the Second World War, the U.S. Army was interested in the tactics of the British CommandoBritish CommandosThe British Commandos were formed during the Second World War in June 1940, following a request from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, for a force that could carry out raids against German-occupied Europe...
units. Recalling the colonial unit, they took the name "Rangers" as the official title; these units consider Rogers their founding father and distribute copies of Rogers' Rangers Standing Orders to all aspiring Ranger students.
- In 1942, American novelist Howard FastHoward FastHoward Melvin Fast was an American novelist and television writer. Fast also wrote under the pen names E. V. Cunningham and Walter Ericson.-Early life:Fast was born in New York City...
published The Unvanquished, a novel about George Washington's struggles commanding the army in the early days of the Revolution. In several places, Fast mentions Rogers in the book.
- Steven Brumwell's history, White Devil - A True Story of War, Savagery, and Vengeance in Colonial America, (2005), contains an analysis of the St. Francis raid and controversy.
- Mind Lab Films produced a documentary about Robert Rogers and his Rangers entitled The Battle On Snowshoes (2002.
- Rogers' Rangers were depicted in the 2005 video game Age of Empires 3, from Ensemble StudiosEnsemble StudiosEnsemble Studios was a video game developer initially established in 1995 as an independent company, but was owned by Microsoft from 2001 to 2009, when it was officially disbanded. Ensemble developed many real-time strategy games, including the Age of Empires game series, Age of Mythology, and Halo...
, in which they are a type of unique British light-infantry.
- The Methuen, Massachusetts high school uses the nickname "Rangers". This is the birthplace of Robert Rogers.
- The 2004 Warner Brothers motion picture, Spartan (film)Spartan (film)Spartan is a 2004 American political thriller film written and directed by David Mamet. It features Val Kilmer, Derek Luke, Tia Texada, Ed O'Neill, William H. Macy, and Kristen Bell. It was released in The United States and Canada on 12 March 2004....
, directed by David MametDavid MametDavid Alan Mamet is an American playwright, essayist, screenwriter and film director.Best known as a playwright, Mamet won a Pulitzer Prize and received a Tony nomination for Glengarry Glen Ross . He also received a Tony nomination for Speed-the-Plow . As a screenwriter, he received Oscar...
and starring Val KilmerVal KilmerVal Edward Kilmer is an American actor. Originally a stage actor, Kilmer became popular in the mid-1980s after a string of appearances in comedy films, starting with Top Secret! , then the cult classic Real Genius , as well as blockbuster action films, including a supporting role in Top Gun and a...
, Rogers' Rangers Standing Orders are referred to in at least two scenes, one with Kilmer, 'Scott', and Derek LukeDerek LukeDerek Luke is an American actor. He won the Independent Spirit Award for his big-screen debut performance in the 2002 film Antwone Fisher, directed and produced by Denzel Washington.-Early life:...
, 'Curtis', discussing Curtis' father having carried them "when he was over there", and another with Kilmer's character, Scott, using a torn part of them to 'produce' a cigarette for Kristen BellKristen BellKristen Anne Bell is an American actress. Although her first film role was an uncredited appearance in Polish Wedding, Bell previously acted in stage and musical productions. In 2001, she made her Broadway debut as Becky Thatcher in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer...
, 'Laura Newton' while in the cargo container at the airport in Dubai. The hard-copy text actually shown on in the film is the fictional bulleted list from Kenneth Roberts' novel, Northwest PassageNorthwest Passage (novel)Northwest Passage is a historical novel by Kenneth Roberts, published in 1937. Told through the eyes of primary character Langdon Towne, much of this novel centers around the exploits and character of Robert Rogers, the leader of Rogers' Rangers, who were a colonial force fighting with the British...
, "1. Don't forget nothing. 2. Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, ...". - The 2009 video game, Empire: Total WarEmpire: Total WarEmpire: Total War is a turn-based strategy and real-time tactics computer game developed by The Creative Assembly and published by Sega. The fifth instalment in the Total War series, the game was released in North America on 3 March 2009, and in the rest of the world the following day...
, has Rogers' Rangers as an available unit featured in the Special Forces Edition.
- Adirondack singer-song writer Chris Shaw describes Rogers' famous Battle on SnowshoesBattle on SnowshoesThe 1758 Battle on Snowshoes occurred on March 13, 1758, during the French and Indian War. It was fought by members of British Ranger companies led by Robert Rogers against French troops and Indians allied to France...
in his 1999 song by the same name.
Notable members
- Major Robert RogersRobert Rogers (soldier)Robert Rogers was an American colonial frontiersman. Rogers served in the British army during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution...
- Captain James RogersJames Rogers (soldier)James Rogers was an Irish-born soldier. He emigrated to America at a young age and became a frontiersman. He served with his brother Robert Rogers during the French and Indian War...
- Captain John StarkJohn StarkJohn Stark was a New Hampshire native who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He became widely known as the "Hero of Bennington" for his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.-Early life:John Stark was born in Londonderry, New...
- Joseph CilleyJoseph Cilley (state senator)Joseph Cilley was a New Hampshire state senator and general.Cilley was born in 1734 at Nottingham, New Hampshire to Captain J. Cilley of the Isles of Shoals and his wife Alice Rawlings. In 1758 Joseph Cilley joined Rogers' Rangers and served in northern New York and Canada...
- Moses HazenMoses HazenMoses Hazen was a Brigadier General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Born in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, he saw action in the French and Indian War with Rogers' Rangers. His service included particularly brutal raids during the Expulsion of the Acadians and...
- Jonathan MoultonJonathan MoultonGeneral Jonathan Moulton played an important role in the early history of New Hampshire, and many tales of his adventures would become legendary.-Early life and King George's War:...
- Israel PutnamIsrael PutnamIsrael Putnam was an American army general and Freemason who fought with distinction at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War...
- William StarkWilliam StarkWilliam Stark was the older brother of Gen. John Stark, the hero of the Battle of Bennington. William Stark was born on April 1, 1724 at Londonderry, New Hampshire...
- Simeon ThayerSimeon ThayerSimeon Thayer fought in Rogers' Rangers during the French and Indian War and made a harrowing escape from French-allied Indians. At the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, the Rhode Island assembly appointed him an officer. He quickly raised a company of soldiers and marched with them to...
- James HackettJames Hackett (shipbuilder)James Hackett was an American shipbuilder in New Hampshire in the late 18th century. He was responsible for the construction of a number of significant Revolutionary War-era warships for the fledgling country, including the USS Raleigh , USS Ranger , USS America , USS Congress , USS Portsmouth ,...
See also
- Jeffery Amherst
- Sir William Johnson, 1st BaronetSir William Johnson, 1st BaronetSir William Johnson, 1st Baronet was an Anglo-Irish official of the British Empire. As a young man, Johnson came to the Province of New York to manage an estate purchased by his uncle, Admiral Peter Warren, which was located amidst the Mohawk, one of the Six Nations of the Iroquois League...
- New Hampshire Provincial RegimentNew Hampshire Provincial RegimentThe New Hampshire Provincial Regiment was a composite regiment made up of units of the New Hampshire Militia during the French and Indian War for service with the British Army in North America. It was first formed in 1754 with the start of hostilities with France.-1755:In 1755 Col...
External links
- "Gorham's and Roger's Rangers", Military Heritage
- Rogers Island Visitor Center Home Page
- Regiment De la Reine website
- Frigid Fury: The Battle on Snowshoes, March 1758
- Seven Years War timeline, New York State 1763
- Rogers' Rangers Reenacting unit
- The Battle On Snowshoes, MindLab Films
- http://www.muzzleloadermag.com/Book%20Reviews/BookReview_SO05_D.htm
- http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_312597.html