Siege of Charleston
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Charleston was one of the major battles which took place towards the end of the American Revolutionary War
, after the British
began to shift their strategic focus towards the American
Southern Colonies
. After about six weeks of siege, Continental Army
Major General Benjamin Lincoln
surrendered forces numbering about 5,000 to the British. It was the biggest loss of troops suffered by the Continental Army in the war.
George Washington
leading the Continental Army. Under political pressure to deliver victory, British leaders turned to launching their "southern strategy"
for winning the war, that built on the idea that there was strong Loyalist sentiment supporting the southern colonies. Their opening move was the Capture of Savannah
, Georgia
in December 1778. After repulsing a siege and assault on Savannah
by a combined Franco-American force in October 1779, the British planned an attack on Charleston, South Carolina
which they intended to use as a base for further operations in the north.
to head a combined military and naval expedition southward. He evacuated Newport, Rhode Island
, on October 25, 1779, and left New York City
in command of Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen
. In December, he sailed with 8,500 troops to join Colonel
Mark Prevost at Savannah. Charles Cornwallis
accompanied him, and later Lord Rawdon joined him with an additional force, raising the size of the expedition to around 14,000 troops and 90 ships.
Marching upon Charleston via James Island
, Clinton cut off the city from relief, and began a siege on April 1. Skirmishes at Monck's Corner
and Lenud's Ferry
in April and early May scattered troops on the outskirts of the siege area. Benjamin Lincoln
held a council of war, and was advised by de Laumoy
to surrender given the inadequate fortifications. Clinton compelled Lincoln to surrender on May 12. The loss of the city and its 5,000 troops was a serious blow to the American cause. It was the largest surrender of an American armed force until the 1862 surrender of Union
forces at Harper's Ferry during the Antietam Campaign. The last remaining Continental Army troops were driven from South Carolina consequent to the May 29 Battle of Waxhaws. General Clinton returned to New York City in June, leaving Cornwallis in command with instructions to also reduce North Carolina
.
: Edward Rutledge
, Arthur Middleton
and Thomas Heyward, Jr.
An active and bitter partisan
war began. The British advance was marked by more than the usual destruction of war; the Loyalists
rose to arms; the Patriot
population regrouped around some of its militia commanders to harass the British and their Loyalist allies. Little mercy was shown on either side, especially after Tarleton's decimation of the Continentals at Waxhaws and Light Horse Harry Lee's decimation of the Loyalists at Haw River, which many saw as massacres.
Charleston remained under British control until they evacuated it in 1782 due to the imminent Treaty of Paris
.
Colonial Forces:
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...
, after the British
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...
began to shift their strategic focus towards the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Southern Colonies
Southern Colonies
The Southern Colonies in North America were established by Europeans during the 16th and 17th centuries and consisted of olden South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and Georgia. Their historical names were the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, the Province of Carolina, and the Province...
. After about six weeks of siege, 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...
Major General Benjamin Lincoln
Benjamin Lincoln
Benjamin Lincoln was an American army officer. He served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War...
surrendered forces numbering about 5,000 to the British. It was the biggest loss of troops suffered by the Continental Army in the war.
Background
In late 1779, following strategic failures earlier in the war, the British were stymied by the waiting strategy adopted by GeneralGeneral
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
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...
leading the Continental Army. Under political pressure to deliver victory, British leaders turned to launching their "southern strategy"
Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War
The Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War was the central area of operations in North America in the second half of the American Revolutionary War. During the first three years of the conflict, the primary military encounters had been in the north, focused on campaigns around the...
for winning the war, that built on the idea that there was strong Loyalist sentiment supporting the southern colonies. Their opening move was the Capture of Savannah
Capture of Savannah
The Battle of Savannah, or sometimes the First Battle of Savannah due to a siege later in the campaign, was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on December 29, 1778 between local American Patriot militia and Continental Army units holding the city and a British invasion force under the...
, 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...
in December 1778. After repulsing a siege and assault on Savannah
Siege of Savannah
The Siege of Savannah or the Second Battle of Savannah was an encounter of the American Revolutionary War in 1779. The year before, the city of Savannah, Georgia, had been captured by a British expeditionary corps under Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Campbell. The siege itself consisted of a joint...
by a combined Franco-American force in October 1779, the British planned an attack on Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
which they intended to use as a base for further operations in the north.
Siege
The British government instructed Sir Henry ClintonHenry Clinton (American War of Independence)
General Sir Henry Clinton KB was a British army officer and politician, best known for his service as a general during the American War of Independence. First arriving in Boston in May 1775, from 1778 to 1782 he was the British Commander-in-Chief in North America...
to head a combined military and naval expedition southward. He evacuated Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, on October 25, 1779, and left 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...
in command of Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen
Wilhelm von Knyphausen
Wilhelm Reichsfreiherr zu Innhausen und Knyphausen was a general from Hesse-Cassel. He fought in the American Revolutionary War, during which he led Hessian mercenaries on behalf of the British Empire.-Biography:His father was colonel in a German regiment under the Duke of Marlborough...
. In December, he sailed with 8,500 troops to join 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...
Mark Prevost at Savannah. Charles Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis KG , styled Viscount Brome between 1753 and 1762 and known as The Earl Cornwallis between 1762 and 1792, was a British Army officer and colonial administrator...
accompanied him, and later Lord Rawdon joined him with an additional force, raising the size of the expedition to around 14,000 troops and 90 ships.
Marching upon Charleston via James Island
James Island (South Carolina)
James Island is one of South Carolina's most urban Sea Islands. The island is separated from peninsular downtown Charleston by the Ashley River, from the mainland by Wappoo Creek and the Wappoo Cut, and from Johns Island by the Stono River...
, Clinton cut off the city from relief, and began a siege on April 1. Skirmishes at Monck's Corner
Battle of Monck's Corner
The Battle of Monck's Corner was fought on April 14, 1780, outside the city of Charleston, South Carolina, which was under siege by British forces under the command of General Sir Henry Clinton in the American Revolutionary War. The British Legion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Banastre...
and Lenud's Ferry
Battle of Lenud's Ferry
The Battle of Lenud's Ferry was a battle of the American Revolutionary War that was fought on May 6, 1780 in present-day Berkeley County, South Carolina...
in April and early May scattered troops on the outskirts of the siege area. Benjamin Lincoln
Benjamin Lincoln
Benjamin Lincoln was an American army officer. He served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War...
held a council of war, and was advised by de Laumoy
Jean Baptiste Joseph, chevalier de Laumoy
Jean Baptiste Joseph, chevalier de Laumoy French engineer, fought in the American Revolutionary War, and was on the staff of Lafayette and was captured with him, by the Austrians....
to surrender given the inadequate fortifications. Clinton compelled Lincoln to surrender on May 12. The loss of the city and its 5,000 troops was a serious blow to the American cause. It was the largest surrender of an American armed force until the 1862 surrender of Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
forces at Harper's Ferry during the Antietam Campaign. The last remaining Continental Army troops were driven from South Carolina consequent to the May 29 Battle of Waxhaws. General Clinton returned to New York City in June, leaving Cornwallis in command with instructions to also reduce 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...
.
Aftermath
Tarleton in his book A history of the campaigns of 1780 and 1781 reported a total of 5,283 captured, including three signers of the Declaration of IndependenceUnited States Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a...
: Edward Rutledge
Edward Rutledge
Edward Rutledge was an American politician and youngest signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. He later served as the 39th Governor of South Carolina.-Early years and career:...
, Arthur Middleton
Arthur Middleton
Arthur Middleton , of Charleston, South Carolina, was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence....
and Thomas Heyward, Jr.
An active and bitter partisan
Partisan (military)
A partisan is a member of an irregular military force formed to oppose control of an area by a foreign power or by an army of occupation by some kind of insurgent activity...
war began. The British advance was marked by more than the usual destruction of war; the Loyalists
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
rose to arms; the 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...
population regrouped around some of its militia commanders to harass the British and their Loyalist allies. Little mercy was shown on either side, especially after Tarleton's decimation of the Continentals at Waxhaws and Light Horse Harry Lee's decimation of the Loyalists at Haw River, which many saw as massacres.
Charleston remained under British control until they evacuated it in 1782 due to the imminent Treaty of Paris
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...
.
Orders of battle
British Forces:- British Army
- 1st and 2d Battalions, Light InfantryHistory of British light infantryThe History of British light infantry goes back to the early days of the British Army, when irregular troops and mercenaries added skills in light infantry fighting. From the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Army dedicated some line regiments as specific light infantry troops, were trained...
, 800 men - 1st and 2d Battalions, Grenadiers, 900
- 7th Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), 400
- 23d Regiment (Welsh Fusiliers)Royal Welch FusiliersThe Royal Welch Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. It was founded in 1689 to oppose James II and the imminent war with France...
, 400 - 33d RegimentDuke of Wellington's RegimentThe Duke of Wellington's Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, forming part of the King's Division.In 1702 Colonel George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon, was authorised to raise a new regiment, which he did in and around the city of Gloucester. As was the custom in those days...
, 450 - 42d Regiment (Royal Highlanders)42nd Regiment of FootThe 42nd Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army. Originally the 43rd Highlanders they were renumbered the 42nd in 1748.- Early history :...
, 700 - 63d Regiment, 400
- 64th Regiment64th (2nd Staffordshire) Regiment of FootThe 64th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army. The regiment was created as the 2nd Battalion, 11th Regiment of Foot in 1756, redesignated as the 64th Regiment of Foot in 1758, and took a county title as the 64th Regiment of Foot in 1782...
, 350 - British Legion, 200
- Queen's RangersQueen's RangersThe 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...
, 200 - Guides and PioneersBlack Company of PioneersThe Black Company of Pioneers also known as the Black Pioneers was a British Provincial military unit raised for service during the American Revolutionary War....
, 150 - Fanning's CorpsKing's American RegimentThe King's American Regiment was a British provincial regiment which was raised and served in the American Revolutionary War.It was raised in New York in December, 1776 by Colonel Edmund Fanning as the Associated Refugees. It served in the attacks on Fort Clinton and Fort Montgomery...
, 100 - Hessians, 1800
- Linsing's Regiment
- Lengerke's Regiment
- Schuyler's Regiment
- Huyn's Regiment
- Graf's Grenadiers
- Ferguson's Corps71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser's HighlandersThe 71st Regiment of Foot was a regiment of infantry raised in 1775, during the American Revolution. The unit served in both the Northern and Southern Campaigns, and participated in many major battles including the Battle of Long Island , the Battle of Brandywine , Savannah , Briar Creek , the...
, 300 - JägersJäger (military)Jäger is a term that was adopted in the Enlightenment era in German-speaking states and others influenced by German military practice to describe a kind of light infantry, and it has continued in that use since then....
, 200 - British ArtilleryRoyal ArtilleryThe Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, 200 - 71st Regiment71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser's HighlandersThe 71st Regiment of Foot was a regiment of infantry raised in 1775, during the American Revolution. The unit served in both the Northern and Southern Campaigns, and participated in many major battles including the Battle of Long Island , the Battle of Brandywine , Savannah , Briar Creek , the...
, 1st Battalion - South Carolina Volunteers
- New York Hessians
- New York Volunteers
- 1st and 2d Battalions, Light Infantry
- Royal Navy
- Ships
- HMS EuropeHMS Europa (1765)HMS Europa was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 21 April 1765 at Lepe, Hampshire. She was renamed HMS Europe in 1778, and spent the rest of her career under this name....
, 74 guns - HMS RussellHMS Russell (1764)HMS Russell was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 10 November 1764 at Deptford.In 1782, she was commanded by Captain James Saumarez at the Battle of the Saintes. In 1794 she was part of Admiral Howe's fleet at the Glorious First of June, and in the following year...
, 74 - HMS Robust, 74
- HMS RaisonnableHMS Raisonnable (1768)HMS Raisonnable was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, named after the ship of the same name captured from the French in 1758. She was built at Chatham Dockyard, launched on 10 December 1768 and commissioned on 17 November 1770 under the command of Captain Maurice Suckling,...
, 64 - HMS DefianceHMS Defiance (1772)HMS Defiance was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 31 August 1772 at Woolwich.Defiance was wrecked in 1780....
, 64 - HMS RenownHMS Renown (1774)HMS Renown was a 50-gun ship of the line of the Royal Navy.On 13 August 1778, she attacked the 90-gun Languedoc, which had been dismasted the day before in a storm, and raked her.She was eventually broken up in 1794....
, 50 - HMS AdamantHMS Adamant (1780)HMS Adamant was a 50-gun Portland-class fourth rate warship of the British Royal Navy. She served during the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary Wars, and the Napoleonic Wars in a career that spanned thirty years....
, 50 - HMS Rainbow, 44
- HMS Roebuck, 44
- HMS Romulus, 44
- HMS Assurance, 44
- HMS Charon, 44
- HMS Danae, 32
- HMS Blonde, 32
- HMS Pearl, 32
- HMS RichmondHMS Richmond (1757)HMS Richmond was the name ship of the 32-gun Richmond-class fifth-rate frigates of the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1757 and served throughout the American Revolutionary War until captured by the French in 1781.- References :...
, 32 - HMS ThamesHMS Thames (1758)HMS Thames was a 32-gun Richmond-class fifth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy built by Henry Adams and launched at Bucklers Hard in 1758. She served in several wars, including for some four years in French service after her capture. She was recaptured in 1796 and was broken up in 1803.-British...
, 32 - HMS Delaware, 32
- HMS IsisHMS Isis (1774)HMS Isis was a 50-gun Portland-class fourth-rate of the Royal Navy. She saw service during the American War of Independence, and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars....
, 32 - HMS RaleighUSS Raleigh (1776)USS Raleigh was one of thirteen ships that the Continental Congress authorized for the United States Navy in 1775. Following her capture in 1778, she served in the Royal Navy as HMS Raleigh.-As USS Raleigh:...
, 32 - HMS HussarHMS HussarTen ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Hussar, after the hussar.*The first Hussar was a 28-gun sixth-rate launched in 1757 and captured by the French in 1762 after running aground off Cuba....
, 28 - HMS MedeaHMS Medea (1778)HMS Medea was a 28-gun Enterprise-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. The Medea was first commissioned in May 1778 under the command of Captain William Cornwallis.- References :...
, 28 - HMS PandoraHMS Pandora (1779)HMS Pandora was a 24-gun Porcupine-class sixth-rate post ship of the Royal Navy launched in May 1779. She is best known as the ship sent in 1790 to search for the Bounty and the mutineers who had taken her...
, 28 - HMS Guadeloupe, 28
- HMS VirginiaUSS Virginia (1776)The first USS Virginia was a 28-gun sailing frigate of the Continental Navy, a ship with a short and unfortunate career.She was one of 13 frigates authorized by the Continental Congress on 13 December 1775, laid down in 1776 at Fells Point, Maryland, by George Wells, launched that August, and...
, 28 - HMS Shark, 28
- HMS CamillaHMS Camilla (1776)HMS Camilla was a Royal Navy 20-gun Sphinx-class post ship. Camilla was built in Chatham Dockyard to a design by John Williams and launched in 1776...
, 20 - HMS Fowey, 20
- HMS Europe
- Ships
-
- Ships (continued)
- HMS GalateaHMS Galatea (1776)The HMS Galatea was a British 20-gun sixth-rate [frigate]]. It fought during the American Revolutionary War.- History :In 1776, the ship was sent to America and was captained by Thomas Jordan with a crew of 200. It defeated and captured 30 American ships. An American naval squadron led by Samuel...
, 20 - HMS Hind, 20
- HMS Hydra, 20
- HMS Hyaena, 20
- HMS Galatea
- Sloops
- HMS Albany, 14
- HMS Bonetta, 14
- HMS DispatchHMS DispatchSeventeen ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Dispatch, or the variant HMS Despatch: was a 2-gun brigantine launched in 1691 and sold in 1712. was a 14-gun sloop launched in 1745 and sold in 1763. was a 14-gun sloop that foundered in a hurricane in 1772. She may have been salved and...
, 14 - HMS Delight, 14
- HMS FalconHMS FalconTwenty-two ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Falcon. They are named after an exceptionally fast bird of prey.*HMS Falcon was a "ballinger" dating from 1334...
, 18 - HMS Nautilus, 18
- HMS RavenHMS RavenFourteen ships and a shore establishment of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Raven, after birds of the genus Corvus, particularly the Common Raven:...
, 14 - HMS ScorpionHMS ScorpionTen vessels of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Scorpion after the carnivorous arthropod:* HMS Scorpion , a 14-gun sloop which sank in the irish Sea in 1762.* HMS Scorpion , a 16-gun sloop sold in 1802....
, 16 - HMS Otter, 14
- HMS Vulture, 14
- HMS Avenger, 14
- Armed Ships
- HMS Pacifique, 20
- HMS Ranger, 20
- HMS Valiant, 20
- Bomb-Ketch
- HMS Strombolo, 8
- Fire-Ship
- HMS Lucifer, 8
- Hospital Ship
- HMS JerseyHMS Jersey (1736)HMS Jersey was a 60-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built to the 1733 proposals of the 1719 Establishment of dimensions at Plymouth Dockyard, and launched on 14 June 1736. She is perhaps most noted for her service as a prison ship during the American Revolutionary War.-Early...
, 60
- HMS Jersey
- Ships (continued)
Colonial Forces:
- Continental Army:
- Pulaski's LegionPulaski's LegionPulaski's Legion was raised on March 28, 1778 at Baltimore, Maryland under the command of Kazimierz Pułaski for service with the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. The Legion consisted of one troop of lancers, two troops of dragoons and 200 light infantry soldiers...
{Consolidated with Armand's LegionArmand's LegionArmand's Legion was formed on June 25, 1778 at Boston, Massachusetts under the command of Colonel Charles Armand Tuffin for service with the Continental Army. The Legion was recruited primarily from foreign volunteers to the American Revolution. It was reorganized and renamed the 1st Partisan Corps...
February 23, 1780} - North Carolina Continental Artillery Company
- Pulaski's Legion
- Georgia Line:
- 1st Georgia Regiment1st Georgia RegimentThe 1st Georgia Regiment was raised by Lachlan McIntosh on November 4, 1775, at Savannah, Georgia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action in Florida in 1777 and 1778, the Siege of Savannah and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured along with the rest of the...
- 2nd Georgia Regiment2nd Georgia RegimentThe 2nd Georgia Regiment was raised on July 5, 1776, at Williamsburg, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action in Florida in 1777 and 1778, the Siege of Savannah and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured along with the rest of the American southern army...
- 3rd Georgia Regiment3rd Georgia RegimentThe 3rd Georgia Regiment was raised on July 5, 1776, at Savannah, Georgia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action in Florida in 1777 and 1778, the Siege of Savannah and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured along with the rest of the American southern army at...
- 4th Georgia Regiment4th Georgia RegimentThe 4th Georgia Regiment was raised on July 5, 1776, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action in Florida in 1777 and 1778, the Siege of Savannah and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured along with the rest of the American southern...
- Georgia Regiment of Horse RangersGeorgia Regiment of Horse RangersThe Georgia Regiment of Horse Rangers was raised on January 1, 1776, at Savannah, Georgia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action in Florida in 1777 at the Siege of Savannah and in 1778 at the Siege of Charleston...
- 1st Georgia Regiment
- North Carolina Line:
- Hillsborough District militia
- 1st North Carolina Regiment1st North Carolina RegimentThe 1st North Carolina Regiment was raised on September 1, 1775, at Wilmington, North Carolina, for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured by the British...
- 2nd North Carolina Regiment2nd North Carolina RegimentThe 2nd North Carolina Regiment was raised on September 1, 1775 at New Bern, North Carolina for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment would be captured by the...
- 3rd North Carolina Regiment3rd North Carolina RegimentThe 3rd North Carolina Regiment was raised, on January 16, 1776, at Wilmington, North Carolina for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment would be captured by...
- 4th North Carolina Regiment4th North Carolina RegimentThe 4th North Carolina Regiment was raised on January 16, 1776 at Wilmington, North Carolina for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured by the British...
- 5th North Carolina Regiment5th North Carolina RegimentThe 5th North Carolina Regiment was assigned on March 26, 1776 to the Continental Army in the Southern Department. It was organized in the spring of 1776 at Wilmington, North Carolina as eight companies of volunteers from the districts of Newbern, Edenton and Hillsborough of the colony of North...
- South Carolina Line:
- 1st South Carolina Regiment1st South Carolina RegimentThe 1st South Carolina Regiment was raised on June 6, 1775 at Charleston, South Carolina for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Siege of Savannah and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured at Charleston on May 12, 1780 together with the rest of the...
{had been merged with 5th South Carolina Regiment5th South Carolina RegimentThe 5th South Carolina Regiment was raised on February 22, 1776 at Charleston, South Carolina for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Siege of Savannah. The regiment was merged into the 1st South Carolina Regiment on February 11, 1780.-External links:* compiled by the...
} - 2nd South Carolina Regiment2nd South Carolina RegimentThe 2nd South Carolina Regiment was raised on June 6, 1775, at Charleston, South Carolina, for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Siege of Savannah and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured by the British Army at Charleston on May 12, 1780, together with...
{had been merged with 6th South Carolina Regiment6th South Carolina RegimentThe 6th South Carolina Regiment was authorized on 28 February 1776 in the South Carolina State Troops and was organized during the spring of 1776 as five companies of volunteers from the northwestern region of the colony of South Carolina....
} - 3rd South Carolina Regiment3rd South Carolina RegimentThe 3rd South Carolina Regiment was raised on 6 June 1775, at Ninety-Six Court House, South Carolina, for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Siege of Savannah and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured by the British Army at Charleston on 12 May 1780,...
- 4th South Carolina Regiment4th South Carolina RegimentThe 4th South Carolina Regiment was raised on November 13, 1775 at Charleston, South Carolina for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Siege of Savannah and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured at Charleston on May 12, 1780 together with the rest of the...
{Included 2 Artillery units as 2 companies}
- 1st South Carolina Regiment
- Virginia Line:
- 1st Virginia Regiment1st Virginia RegimentThe 1st Virginia Regiment was raised, on July 17, 1775, at Williamsburg, Virginia as a state militia unit and later for service with the Continental Army. Its origins go back to the Charles City-Henrico County Regiment of Militia founded in 1652. During the French and Indian War it was the...
{detachment-had been merged with 9th Virginia Regiment9th Virginia RegimentThe 9th Virginia Regiment was authorized in the Virginia State Troops on January 11, 1776. It was subsequently organized between February 5 and March 16, 1776 and comprised seven companies of troops from easternmost Virginia. The unit was adopted into the Continental Army on May 31, 1776. The...
} - 2nd Virginia Regiment2nd Virginia RegimentThe 2d Virginia Regiment was authorized by the Virginia Convention, July 17, 1775, as a force of regular troops for the Commonwealth's defense. It consisted of seven companies, 476 privates and the usual regimental officers...
{detachment-had been merged with 6th Virginia Regiment6th Virginia RegimentThe 6th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Williamsburg, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
} - 3rd Virginia Regiment3rd Virginia RegimentThe 3rd Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Alexandria, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The 3d Virginia's initial commander was Colonel Hugh Mercer, who was quickly promoted to brigadier general. Its second commander, George Weedon, was also promoted to brigadier...
{had been merged with 5th Virginia Regiment5th Virginia RegimentThe 5th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Richmond, Virginia for service with the U.S. Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment...
} - 4th Virginia Regiment4th Virginia RegimentThe 4th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Suffolk Court House, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
{had been merged with 8th Virginia Regiment8th Virginia RegimentThe 8th Virginia Regiment was raised on January 11, 1776 at Suffolk Court House, Virginia for service with the Continental Army under the command of Peter Muhlenberg. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, the Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth...
} - 7th Virginia Regiment7th Virginia RegimentThe 7th Virginia Regiment was raised on January 11, 1776 at Gloucester, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown , Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
- 10th Virginia Regiment10th Virginia Regiment-History:The 10th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 in western Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
- 11th Virginia Regiment11th Virginia RegimentThe 11th Virginia Regiment was a Continental Army regiment that fought in the American Revolutionary War.Authorized by the Second Continental Congress on 16 September 1776, it was organized on 3 February 1777 and consisted of four companies from the Virginia counties of Loudoun, Frederick, Prince...
- 12th Virginia Regiment12th Virginia RegimentThe 12th Virginia Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 at Williamsburg, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action in the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
- 14th Virginia Regiment14th Virginia RegimentThe 14th Virginia Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 in western Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth, and Siege of Charleston. Most of the regiment was captured at Charlestown,...
- 15th Virginia Regiment15th Virginia RegimentThe 15th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 in eastern, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
- 1st Virginia Regiment