The Real Story of the American Revolution 

Military Units from Rhode Island

Latest Changes: 07Dec 20 - created / 07Dec26 - 2nd RI /

Militia Units The following is based on a note from William Battles II (Massachusetts Society SAR) There were seven militia units in Rhode Island during the American Revolution: Newport Artillery (established in 1741) Kentish Guards (established in 1774) Pawtuxet Rangers (established in 1774) Gloucester Light Infantry (established in 1774) United Train of Artillery (established in 1774) Varnum's Regiment (established in 1775) Continental Marines (established in 1775) Continental Regiments Rhode Island had two Continental Regiments. In 1775 May Rhode Island formed and sent to assist the siege of Boston a thousand-man brigade led by Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Greene and consisting of three infantry regiments and a train of artillery. The Second Regiment of this brigade was commanded by Colonel Daniel Hitchcock. When the Continental Army was formed in 1776 Jan Hitchcock's Regiment became the 11th Continental Infantry Regiment. In 1777 Jan When the initial one-year Continental enlistments ran out. The unit was renamed the Second Rhode Island Regiment and when Col. Hitchcock died on Jan 13 Col. Israel Angell was appointed to command. The regiment fought in the battles of Brandywine PA, Red Bank NJ, Newport RI, and Springfield NJ Four years later, on January 1, 1781 -- during the time that the French Expeditionary Force under Gen. Rochambeau was encamped at Newport -- the First and Second Rhode Island Regiments were combined into a single one unit -- the Rhode Island Regiment -- commanded by Lt. Colonel Jeremiah Olney. Ref. Civil and Military List of Rhode Island, by J. J. Smith (1900), Vol. I For a bibliography of RI in the Revolution see U.S. Amy. Historical Resources Branch.

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