During the Revolution, The New York Provincial Congress, under instructions from the Continental Congress, several times organized and reorganized the arrangement of New York regiments of the Continental Army. The first "establishment" (as it was called) was in June of 1775, with four regiments. The enlistments for these regiments were set to expire on December 31st, after which new regiments were formed at various times.
New York Regiments of 1775
The 1st New York Regiment of 1775, commanded by Col. Alexander McDougall, was made up primarily of men from the New York City area. Important service in the Canada campaign of 1775.
The 2nd New York Regiment of 1775, commanded by Col. Goose Van Schaick, consisting mainly of men from northern New York, especially Albany County. Service in the Albany area and in Canada.
The 3rd New York Regiment of 1775, commanded by Col. James Clinton, including men from Ulster and Orange Counties (Clinton's home territory), and also men from Dutchess Co. and Suffolk Co. (Long Island). Service in upstate New York.
The 4th New York Regiment of 1775, commanded by James Holmes, includes men from Dutchess and Westchester Counties, and also men from Queens, Kings, and Richmond Counties. Service in the Canada campaign.
New York Regiments of 1776 (until November 21, 1776)
The 1st New York Regiment of 1776, commanded by Col. Alexander McDougall. Important service at the Battle of Long Island.
The 2nd New York Regiment of 1776, commanded by Col. James Clinton. Service in the Hudson Highlands and at the Battle of White Plains.
The 3rd New York Regiment of 1776, commanded by Col. Rudolph Ritzema. Service at the Battle of Long Island.
The 4th New York Regiment of 1776, commanded by Col. Cornelius D. Wynkoop. Part of the regiment serves in upstate New York, while part is at the Battle of Long Island and at White Plains.
Van Schaick's Regiment for Canada Service, commanded by Col. Goose Van Schaick, specifically designated for service in the Canada campaign.
Nicholson's Regiment for Canada Service, commanded by Col. John Nicholson, for service in the Canada campaign.
Dubois's Regiment of 1776, commanded by Col. Lewis Dubois, who recruits men from his home area, around Poughkeepsie.
New York Regiments of the Establishment of November 21, 1776
The 1st New York Regiment, commanded by Col. Goose Van Schaick. This regiment remains in service until June 8, 1783.
The 2nd New York Regiment, commanded by Col. Philip Van Cortlandt. This regiment remains in service until June 8, 1783.
The 3rd New York Regiment, commanded by Col. Peter Gansevoort. This regiment remains in service until December 31, 1780, after which there is a consolidation of regiments, and the 3rd is merged with the 1st New York, under Col. Van Schaick, and Col. Gansevoort retires.
The 4th New York Regiment, commanded by Col. Henry Beekman Livingston to January 1779; then by Lt. Col. Commandant Frederick Weissenfels until December 31, 1780, when the troops are merged with the 2nd New York Regiment.
The 5th New York Regiment, commanded by Col. Lewis Dubois to December 1779; then by Lt. Col. Commandant Marinus Willett until December 31, 1780, after which the 5th is merged with the 2nd New York.
In addition to the above regiments specifically raised in New York, there were other regiments that included New York troops. These were:
2nd or New York Regiment of Continental Artillery. This was originally a company of artillery under Capt. John Lamb, 1775-1777; later Lamb's regiment, 1777-1783, with service throughout the Revolution
1st Canadian Regiment, under Col. James Livingston, authorized by the Continental Congress on November 19, 1775 for service in Canada. Later the regiment served in the Hudson Highlands and Hudson Valley. It was disbanded on January 1, 1781.
2nd Canadian Regiment, under Col. Moses Hazen, authorized by the Continental Congress on January 20, 1776 for service in Canada. This regiment later saw service throughout the Revolution, and was disbanded on November 27, 1783.
Col. William Malcom's Additional Continental Regiment, authorized by the Continental Congress on January 7, 1777, with service in the Hudson Highlands. In January and April 1779 its men were merged with other regiments, including Spencer's.
Col. Oliver Spencer's Additional Continental Regiment, authorized by the Continental Congress on January 11, 1777, with service in New Jersey, and New York State, as in the Sullivan Expedition of 1779. This regiment was disbanded January 1, 1781.
Col. Seth Warner's Regiment (Green Mountain Boys) was authorized by the Continental Congress on June 23, 1775, with service in Canada, at Saratoga, and in the Sullivan Expedition. The regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1781.
Col. Samuel B. Webb's Additional Continental Regiment, authorized by the Continental Congress on January 11, 1777, with service in the Hudson Highlands. This became the 9th Connecticut Regiment on July 24, 1780.
New York men also served in a number of other Continental organizations, such as Col. Baldwin's Artificer Regiment, Corps of Regimental Chaplains, Guard of the Commander in Chief, the Continental Dragoons, Corps of Engineers, Corps of Sappers and Miners, Indian Rangers, and Corps of Invalids.
Furthermore, New York men served in staff and other departments of Continental forces, as for example on the staff of the Commander in Chief; as General Officers; with the Adjutant General; Commissary General of Musters; Paymaster General; Quartermaster General; Commissary General; Clothier General; Judge Advocate; Inspector General; Geographer & Surveyor; Hospital Department; Secret Service; Continental Navy; and Continental Marines.
There were also numerous New York regiments of militia and levies, whose complex organization lies outside the scope of this account.
