1781 to 1783
~ The King’s Royal Regiment of New York ~

Intertwined Script KRR w/ Surmounting Crown
Gilded Repousse Sheet Copper over Bone Back, 22mm.

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~ The Loyalist Troops of the New England British Colonies ~ 

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        “Loyalist” was a term frequently used by the patriot rebels to help identify fellow citizens who were Loyalists and at odds with the Cause’s movement.  More importantly, it was used as a label so they could properly identify Americans who kept their allegiances to the Crown in order to secretly plan their rebel activities without Royal Governance repercussions. As with all labels the Patriots used several other terminologies to distinguish their Loyalist counterparts such as, ” Royalists, Tories, or King’s men”. These Loyalists would show their allegiance to the Crown by banding together and forming city or town militia units, which would act in support of the regular British Army. A “Loyalist Corps” can be defined as, an untrained military body of volunteer colonists whose allegiances are sided with the British Crown. 

     A Volunteer Loyalist Corps was a type of unit raised by the Royal Governor of a specific province. Sometimes these volunteers were paid, but they did usually wear a pseudo uniform. These units primarily served for a fixed period of time within the province in which they were raised. Since, these volunteer units were not raised by order of the Commander in Chief of the British Army, they were not considered Provincials or liable for service outside of the geographical area in-which they were raised. Prior to the 13 colonies severing their political ties with Britain in a formal declaration of war through the Declaration of Independence, raising loyalist volunteer’s corps was the common means of control by Royal Governors and British serving aristocratic Royalists. 

 

~ 1770’s ~
British Volunteer Sleeve button

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     The first Loyalist Corps raised in the colonies was in Freetown Massachusetts. In the fall of 1774, General Thomas Gage requested Colonel Thomas Gilbert raise volunteers to keep peace and tranquility to counteract rebellious activity. He was able to recruit 300 able-bodied men. Previously in 1745, Gilbert was a Captain in the siege of Louisburg, and then in 1745, went on to be a lieutenant Colonel in the Massachusetts forces under Timothy Ruggles in the Battle of Lake George. When the Boston Tea Party occurred in December of 1773, it forced the Royal governors in the colonies to  take actions against its rebellious subjects by a force of arms. The idea was to draw up a “plan of association” for the Royalists, and unite society’s Loyalists to help squash Patriot sentiment and curtail any growing rebellious activities. Prior to the Declaration of Independence underground movements were becoming more brazen in nature, and public committees were being formed to counter Royal Governing activities by town officials. Organizations like the Sons of Liberty formed off-shoot town Committees. Their activities were designed to protect the citizen’s rights and welfare, but all it did was encourage political rebellious sentiment toward the Royal governors, and town officials. There was a breakdown in the working social contract between the colonists and the Province enforcers of Parliament’s political and tax policies.

 

Glass Liberty Sleeve Button Insert.
Excavated at Fort Montgomery, NY.
Built by the Continentals in 1776.

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     In 1773, Thomas Gilbert enjoyed the social rank of being a member of the House of Representatives and helped adopt resolutions against the destruction of the tea (property). He concurrently assumed the role as High Sheriff of the county to enlist a body of Loyalists. Hence, the political atmosphere by rebellious patriots was starting to break the established class stratification that existed in the British colonies. When Gilbert decreed new political actions through laws with the reinforcement of armed Loyalists it sent a forceful message to society’s rebels. A political war of social contracts erupted and the Sons of Liberty sent a warning message against Gilbert that he would have to accept the consequences if he proceeded with these measures! The enlistment of Loyalists provoked the rebels even further; it was a heightened measure that wasn’t enough. The idea was to have Loyalists in society unite together in order to show a front of social contract stability over the rebel cries of class stratification and economic injustices wasn’t enough. In January of 1775, Governor Gage was forced to take the next step and supply Thomas Gilbert’s volunteers with 300 stands of arms to ensure order in Freetown. The growing outcry of social injustice continued to grow and the towns inhabitants became even more divided, with armed Loyalist Volunteer corps roaming the streets as lawmen. By April of that year the Royal Ship Rose out of Newport Rhode Island would have to offer the town’s Loyalist Volunteers assistance and refuge aboard ship. 

 

 Liberty & Peace Sleeve Buttons
Circa, 1770’s

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     By 1775, there were more than 150 Loyalist units raised throughout the American colonies on the eastern seaboard and Canada who were all gearing-up for the preemptive outbreak of the war. In the southern colonies Royal governors were able to raise at least twenty-six Loyalist regiments in order to protect their plantation or merchant interests. These Loyalist units were specifically raised to supplement the regular British Army in-order to provide security of economic interests and eradicate rebellious activities that went against the British Crown’s social contracts.

     The Loyalist Corps should not only be seen as the Royal governor’s strong-arm and loyalist partner, but a necessity for the Royal governors to placate rebellious citizens who were participating in anti-crown behavior and actions. The British Army who once were friends with the local population; and even rented quarters from them became a stigma and unwelcome. Mounting tensions between two societal factions grew deeper and the progression of rebellious activities took to new heights as the days passed. A civil war was brewing in the atmosphere throughout the colonies and the Royal governors would use the British Army in conjunction with the Provincial Loyalists so they could strategically counter the growing rebellious activities of certain patriot groups like; “The Sons of Liberty.”

 

Early 1770’s Sons of Liberty
“Liberte For All”
Dug along Appomattox River Bed
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     After the revolution formally broke out and was underway Provincial Loyalist Regt. were more formalized and compartmentalized in order to plan military operations in the open country of the colonies. Loyalist Corps such as,“The Queens Rangers, The British Legion, Butler’s Rangers,” we’re vital in providing strategic intelligence regarding the colony’s terrain and rebel strongholds and/or activities. This invaluable information gave British officers the means to strategically plan infiltrations in all levels of rebel activity. In tactical terms the British Army was able to additionally benefit by utilizing the Loyalist Corps as sort of a contingent of light infantry and cavalry to the main army, which could not only maneuver swiftly in a loose formation, but also strike swiftly and keep moving. 

 

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     In this section of American Loyalists, I am pleased to offer a good sample selection of rarely encountered officer’s accoutrement plates and loyalist buttons in conjunction with other related military relics. All of these were used by British Crown Loyalists and-/-or Patriot Rebels during the American Revolution. In addition to just providing pictures and brief descriptions, I also included a brief history of the regiments military engagements in order to parade the regiments underlying accomplishments. I felt this was a necessity to understand the reasoning behind the popularity of certain buttons by collectors, as well as capture the soldier’s proud sentiment, which was reflected through his uniform buttons. In this era, it was a Loyalist soldier’s way to publicly display their support for the Crown as well as reflect their wartime contributions and accomplishments. These specialized officer’s plates and buttons were used as a public display for serving soldiers’ to bolster and highlight their own personal battlefield heroics and wartime contributions. In this era, this was a gratifying way to either feed self-ego or express their patriotism for the common good of society. It should be viewed as a personal flag, which reflects their battlefield heroics during their era’s historical events, which was continually journalized in city newspapers and journals.

 

                  * 1780 King’s American Regiment *                                                      * 1782 King’s American Regiment *        

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–                   Fanning’s  Regiment of Dragoons                             *                          Royal Provincial British Regiment 

*                    * 1778 New Jersey Volunteers *                                                                 * 1778 New Jersey Volunteers *

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–       Justus Earle, 4th Battalion 4th N.J. Volunteers                *                       Richard Hewlett, Delancey’s 3rd Brigade

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Royal Provincial Volunteer Shoulder Plate
RPV Engraved Script, Block G.R. Georgian Crown
Silver Oval Plate 50.5 Grams 60mm x 81mm.
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The British Provincial forces
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     The majority of the colonies Loyalist who formed regiments were known as,”Provincials.”  A Provincial soldier was armed, clothed, fed, and was liable to the same military discipline just as a British regular soldier was. Their clothing and pay came through the Treasury Office as an “extraordinary expense”, or an expense over and above the normal costs of the army. British Provincials were usually only raised for a fixed period of time, typically the duration of the war. They served anywhere between Nova Scotia and West Florida. These Provincial regiments were raised directly under the authority of General William Howe who was named the interim Commander in Chief of the British Army in America and Canada on October 1st 1775. General Howe would be responsible for signing all officer’s commissions, and any Provincial Regiment could be drafted or disbanded at his pleasure. Provincial soldiers received their uniforms from Colonel Alexander Innes, the inspector General, and were mustered into service by Colonel Edward Winslow, the Muster Master General. The following regiments are examples of Provincial units: The Kings American Dragoons, The Kings Royal Regiment of New York, The New Jersey Volunteers, The South Carolina Royalists, and the Nova Scotia Volunteers. 

 

 

~ Royal Provincial Volunteer ~
Enlisted man’s Pattern

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      When the war officially broke out in 1776, the Loyalists volunteers didn’t use distinctive pattern buttons on their uniforms. In September of 1776, there was a recorded shipment of green faced white uniforms with white-metal buttons, which were shipped from England to New York specifically for the Loyalist Corps being raised in North America. These were not distinctive in anyway without a discernible pattern. Later, in March 1777, another shipment arrived from England with bolts of red cloth which was to be used to make uniforms. This shipment included several size buttons for coats, vests, and cuffs, but again there were no distinctive Loyalist Volunteer design patterns. It wasn’t until February of 1780, that a bill from Thomas Harley to the Treasury Office indicated that “RP” or Royal Provincial marked buttons were included in a clothing order for British Provincial Troops. In another clothing order later, that same year does show that “RP” buttons surmounted by a “Crown” were issued. 1780 would be the first year of record. 

 

* Royal Provincial Volunteer Design Patterns *

 

************************** Many Crown & Letter Font Patterns Exist ************************

     From the onset of the war Loyalist troops and officers of British Provincial forces did not wear distinctive unit buttons. The Loyalists who were lucky enough to get uniforms from were usually issued the generic types of “Royal Provincial” or “RP” style white metal buttons. Usually Loyalists wore what they showed up with at their enlistments, but now and again unissued British uniforms, which were kept in storage, were given to Loyalist Troops. This meant that some Loyalist provincial regiments could very well have worn regular British army uniforms and buttons from extras that were in storage belonging to the regular British Army regt’s. One such documented instance was recorded on October of 1778, unissued British uniform coats stored with the numbers 10th, 45th, and 52nd Regt. went to Provincial units, because these regt. troops were drafted into other regiments. If you are collecting British buttons and find any of these numbers on post-1778 Revolutionary War sites they most likely belonged to Loyalist troops who were given these coats. 

 

1780-83 ROYAL PROVINCIAL VOLUNTEERS 



Color: A Pewter Gray w/ an Orange Flair.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, pewter. 

Size: 22.78mm. 

Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, Good Planchet Condition Remains, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: This button is the enlisted man’s large size coat button. The button’s pattern depicts a small crown over the initials, “RP”. The high relief pattern is set on a flat plain field with a flat edge. One theory put forth is that these “RP” buttons did not exist before 1780. We do know by records that British loyalists used plain white metal buttons that were sent over from England as early as 1776 for their Loyalist Troops.

Reverse Button Analysis: This appears to be a One-Piece Casting for the Reverse Shank. 

 

1780-83 ROYAL PROVINCIAL VOLUNTEERS 



Color: A Pewter Gray w/ an Orange Flair.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, pewter. 

Size: 22.78mm. 

Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, Good Planchet Condition Remains, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: This button is the enlisted man’s large size coat button. The button’s pattern depicts a small crown over the initials, “RP”. The high relief pattern is set on a flat plain field with a flat edge. One theory put forth is that these “RP” buttons did not exist before 1780. We do know by records that British loyalists used plain white metal buttons that were sent over from England as early as 1776 for their Loyalist Troops.

Reverse Button Analysis: This appears to be a One-Piece Casting for the Reverse Shank. 

The RJ. Silverstein Collection.


Excavated in St. Augustine Florida.

 

1780-83 ROYAL PROVINCIAL VOLUNTEERS



Color: Gun Metal Gray.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Copper.

Size: 17mm.
 Cuff size.
Rarity: R-5
Troiani:LRP.k / Size Variant
Condition: A Dug Specimen, A Good Planchet Condition Remains, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: This button is the enlisted man’s large size coat button. The button’s pattern depicts a small crown over the initials, “RP”. The high relief pattern is set on a flat plain field with a flat edge. One theory put forth is that these “RP” buttons did not exist before 1780. We do know by records that British loyalists used plain white metal buttons that were sent over from England as early as 1776 for their Loyalist Troops.

Reverse Button Analysis: This appears to be a one-piece casting for the Reverse Shank.

Excavated in Stono River South Carolina.

 

10th Regiment of Foot Coats, Purchased or given to a Provincial Unit

Color: A Charcoal Brown Mix.

Metal: 1-Piece, Slightly Convex, Incuse Design.

Size: 17mm. Cuff Size
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, A Strong Planchet Condition Remains, A Strong Impression Remains.
Robert’s Notes: This Regt. button would have been on the coats that were part of the unused clothing stores and given to Provincial Loyalists during the war in 1778. This is the enlisted man’s pattern. The button’s pattern depicts an incuse Arabic number “10”  in the center on a plain field with no edge border.

Excavated in Beaufort County, South Carolina 2007~ 

 

45th Regiment of Foot Coats, Purchased or given to a Provincial Unit

Color: A Charcoal Brown Mix.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design Pattern.

Size: 17mm. Cuff Size.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, A Strong Planchet Condition Remains, A Strong High Relief Remains.
Robert’s Notes: In 1778, the 45th Regt. of Foot was drafted into other units and the officers returned to England. This Regt. numbered button would have been on the coats, which were part of the unused clothing stores given to Provincial Loyalists during the war in later 1778. This is the enlisted man’s pattern. The button’s pattern depicts a raised Arabic “45” within a Scroll and Dot. 

 

52nd Regiment of Foot Coats, Purchased or given to a Provincial Unit

Color: A Silvery Brown Mix.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design Pattern.

Size: 24mm. Coat Size.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, A Strong Planchet Condition Remains, A Strong High Relief Remains.
Robert’s Notes: In August of 1778, the 52nd Regt. of Foot was drafted into 10 other regt. and the officers returned to England. This Regt. numbered button would have been on the coats, which were part of the unused clothing stores given to Provincial Loyalists during the war in later 1778. This is the enlisted man’s pattern. The button’s pattern depicts a raised Arabic “52” with a cable border.

Final Notes: There are only two known patterns to exist for an, “Officer’s Royal Provincial” button. The first is a 22mm. gilded Copper Repousse with a wood back. This was made for the Royal North Carolina Volunteers. This type has never been excavated, but examples have been found on period uniform jacket that dated around 1782-3. The second, is a 22mm. gilded one-piece copper button with a loop shank. This pattern has a raised Crown with flowers and thistles above the above foliated or script letters “RPV” (Royal Provincial Volunteers). There have been a few recovered specimens of this type from South Carolina, but again this was probably not commonly used.

 

1770’s Light Dragoon Porcelain Plate
Metropolitan Museum of Natural History, NYC.

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Recruitment Broadside
“Young Men Willing to Serve in this Troop for two years, or during the Rebellion, will have Fifty Dollars Bounty; be immediately clothed and accoutered, and have every encouragement.” Apply to Captain Sandford, or Lieutenant Willett, at the George in 2nd street, or at the Chequers, near the market-guard, in Market st. One Dollar will be given to any person who brings a recruit, A good price will be given for horses fit for the Light Dragoon Service.- April 21st 1778.

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     The Buck’s County Dragoons was a British Provincial Military Unit raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for Loyalist Service. While the British were in possession of the city of Philadelphia, General Howe was able to raise three troops of Light Dragoons from Philadelphia. The first troop of Philadelphia Light Dragoons was raised in November and December of 1777, by captain Richard Hovenden. They were mustered into British Service January 8th 1778. On January 1st 1778, Captain Jacob James’ troops of Light Dragoons were recruited in Chester County, and then mustered into service in Philadelphia on January 5th. The Bucks County Light Dragoons were raised in Bucks County, PA by Captain Thomas Sandford. His Dragoons would be mustered into service in Philadelphia on April 24th, 1778, while the officer’s commissions were dated on April 1st.

     On August 15th and September 7th 1778, the troops under Captains Hovenden and James were attached to the British Legion as reinforcements at King’s Bridge, New York. These troops would then sail from New York harbor in December of 1779 with Sir Henry Clinton’s expedition in the southern campaign to capture Charleston. They played a role in all the battles and skirmishes that Colonel Banestre Tarleton’s Legion engaged in. Captain Sandford’s Bucks County Dragoons were attached to the Queen’s Rangers on Long Island and served on essentially all the outposts in New York. They actually stayed an independent troops wearing red uniforms, while the Queen’s Rangers wore green. It wouldn’t be until October 25th 1780, when they were incorporated into the British Legion under Tarleton for the South Carolina campaign that they ceased to be an independent unit.

 

 1770’s Porcelain Plate Depicting a British Dragoon Officer.
Metropolitan Museum of Natural History, NYC.

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     Understanding Philadelphian’s sentiment in the beginning months of the Revolution is a little difficult to gauge because of the deep divided of the city’s citizens loyalties. General Howe’s British Army marched into Philadelphia on September 26th 1777. The army’s arrival had Loyalists rejoicing in the streets as it forced the patriots to flee. Unlike other colonies, Pennsylvania’s Quaker pacifists refused to take an oath of allegiance for the radical Whig government, and a German population had already previously given an oath to George III. On the other side of the Patriot movement was the Tories and Royalists who continued to support the Crown and tried to hamper down on radical rebel speech and gatherings. 

     In the beginning of the war, political leaders attempted to respect their neighbor’s right to choose their allegiance or neutrality, but with the occupation in the fall of 1777, it forced the citizens to declare a side. By June of 1777, the Pennsylvania Assembly (enshrouded w/ Patriots) took a bold move and passed a law that required all white males to take a “Test Oath,” which would renounce their allegiance to the King, and swear it to the new United States. This was unacceptable to the Pennsylvania’s large diverse religious population of Mennonites, Moravians, Quakers, and other religious pacifists that did not permit taking oaths or bearing arms. 

 

The Battle of Quebec
The Prelude in 1775

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Quebec Militia Sword Belt Plate
Cast Brass Oval W/ Crown Surmounting GR

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    The Battle of Quebec was fought on December 31st 1775, between the Continental Army and a small number of British regulars who fought alongside Quebec’s Militia forces who defended the city. Richard Montgomery was an Irish soldier who first served in the British Army who later became a Major General in the Continental Army. In the early onset in the war he was tasked with the invasion and capture of the Canadian Provinces of Montreal and Quebec. General Montgomery’s Continental Army swiftly captured Montreal in the 1st part of the campaign on November 13th 1775. Afterward, he moved his campaign forward onto Quebec City; which at the time was the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec. 

 

Continental Artillery Button

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Royal Artillery Belt Plate Tip
1t B (Batallion) ARTILLERY N 53
*Royal Artillery Co. did not have Design Pattern Buttons until Oct 1782

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     Sir Guy Carlton was an Anglo-Irish administrator who served twice as the Governor of the Province of Quebec, and concurrently served as the Governor-General of British North America. In the Canadian territories British troops were few in numbers. In May of 1775, Governor Carleton received news that the American rebels captured both Fort Ticonderoga and the Fort Crown Point. The rebels were able to seize 111 Cannons and in October went on to place a 45-day siege on Fort Saint-Jean, which was the principal defense for Montreal and Quebec City. General Montgomery had planned to use the Richelieu River to reach Montreal and then march on to Quebec City. For all intents and purposes, the siege at Fort Saint-Jean was a disaster for the Americans. It took far longer than expected and considerably weakened Montgomery’s Army. By the time Montgomery’s invasion force reached Quebec City in December, only 300 men were left of the original 2,000. Even with a weakened invasion force, General Montgomery was determined to march on to Quebec City. Montgomery knew that Washington would be sending him reinforcements. He left Major David Wooster in Command of a small detachment to keep the fort secure.

 

1st Pennsylvania Battalion, Continental Army
Deployed by Washington in January 1776, up to Canadian Dept.
Originally Mustered as, 1st Pennsylvania Rifles in 1775.

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     In September George Washington believed that upper Massachusetts could be crossed in twenty days, and Arnold prepared for the expedition by calling for 200 bateaux (small flat bottom) style boats, and enlisting frontiersmen and woodsmen for a proposed 180 miles expedition to join-up with General Montgomery in Quebec (In all actuality it was 300 miles). He was able to raise 1,050 volunteers that would make up 2 Battalions. His volunteers were from the existing New England companies that were serving in the siege of Boston. These two battalions would make-up the expedition force; and a third battalion of Continental riflemen would join them from Virginia and 1st Pennsylvania Rifles. They would be placed under the command of Captain Daniel Morgan. The trek through the heavy brush and woods of Maine was far more difficult than Washington or Arnold anticipated. On top of that they encountered extremely bad weather including icy rains. When boating the river ways were full of drowned trees, which either blocked their passage or caused their boats to wreck. This caused them to lose the bulk of their food stores. Dysentery from unclean drinking water became another major problem for Arnold’s troops. A little over half the journey 500 of the original 1,100 men ended-up turning back or died on route. When the forces reached their destination in Canada malnutrition had severely set in.

 

1770-1780 Revolutionary War Camp Style Canteen or Powder Barrel.
Oval Barrel W/Wooden Staves and Wrought Iron Bands 8.5″L X 6″ DH
Soldiers were required to bring a portable water canteen when reporting for duty.

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      The garrison at Fort Saint-Jean fought valiantly for 45 days before surrendering to Montgomery’s Army in November. Governor-General Carleton was able to evade capture by disguising himself as a commoner and then narrowly escaping down the river by a ship to the safety of Quebec City. Other British ships that fled weren’t as lucky and ended-up being seized prizes by the Montgomery’s forces. The seizure of British ships afforded the American rebels the much-needed winter clothing, supplies, cannons, and also the largest military vessel on Lake Champlain.

 

 The Anglophone & Francophone Canadian Militia of Quebec
Gilded Brass, 23mm.
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     Earlier during the summer of 1775, Governor Carleton directed the preparation of Canada’s provincial defenses. He organized the defense of Montreal and Quebec City immediately after learning of Arnold’s raid on Fort St. Jean. Only having a small garrison of British troops, Carleton was forced to raise an untrained and unwilling militia force from both the anglophone and francophone communities. When he first asked members of these communities to form militias the citizenry of these communities weren’t supportive. With the eminent advance of the Continental Army, Carleton was forced to use his Governor’s authority on June 9th 1775, to declare martial law and threaten the unwilling citizenry with punitive actions if they did not immediately form militias and join in the aid of the province’s defenses.

     The Quebec Militia was actually divided into two distinct units. A Canadian Militia drawn from the francophone population and the British Militia made up of anglophones. Both militia forces would work in unison for the defense of Quebec. During the siege both were issued the same uniforms: a green coat without lapels, with green facings, buff waistcoats and breeches, and a tricorn hat. The uniforms were stocks sent over previously from Britain in the summer of 1775, for a proposed but never raised Corps of Canadian Light Infantry.

 

     On December 1st 1775, General Montgomery arrived 1st with his troops at Pointe-aux-trembles. His force consisted of 300 men from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd New York regiments, and John Lamb who was able to raise a company of artillerists. Then James Livingston joined him with 200 men he was able to recruit for the 1st Canadian Regiment. Jacob Brown was also able to gather 160 men who were remnants of disbanded regiments due to expiring enlistments. All these militia companies would join together with Montgomery’s Army at Pointe-aux-Trembles. These men were later be supplemented with some companies who were originally left in Montreal under Major General Wooster’s command.

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      After Montreal, General Montgomery and his officers quickly turned their sights on Quebec, and were able to place the city under siege on December 6th 1775. At first, General Montgomery sent a personal letter to British Governor-General Guy Carleton demanding the city’s surrender. Sir Guy angrily declined his request, and then burned his letter, unread. Ten days later General Montgomery tried again, but Carleton’s obstinacy of British superiority afforded the same result. During the time General Montgomery was deeply concerned about the strength of his forces due to the newly expiring enlistments. He made the miscalculated strategy of attacking Quebec in a blinding snowstorm to conceal his army’s movements into the city. Montgomery’s strategy was to attack the city of Quebec by using two separate forces. The first force was under his direct subordinates’ command, and the second invasion force would be led by Benedict Arnold. 

 

Benedict Arnold in 1776, Mezzotint engraving by Thomas Hart.

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     Benedict Arnold whose men (about 300 Militia) had recently made a strenuous and difficult trek through the wilderness up through Northern New England. Montgomery’s plan was to converge both forces in the lower part of the city before scaling the walls that protected the upper part of the city. Unfortunately, during the onset of the initial attack General Montgomery was killed in action by canon fire. This action forced his army to retreat and fallback into an exterior position of defense.

 

British Projectiles incl: A 4″ Iron solid shot pierced through and fitted w/ plaited sailor’s rope, A 3″ Iron
solid shot marked W/ “British Broad Arrow,” A section of Bar Shot W/ a one half section of 2 3/4 ball joined
to a 7″ Iron Bar, Section of a 2 3/4″ Grenade, and 10 small pies of Grapeshot.

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     Benedict Arnold’s force including Daniel Morgan and James Livingston continued forward and was able to penetrate a little further into the lower city. Unfortunately, Arnold was also wounded in the initial invasion, and his force turned back briefly. Daniel Morgan who was an American pioneer, Virginia politician and soldier (One of the most respected battlefield tacticians during America’s War of Independence) led a renewed offensive assault in Arnold’s place. Unfortunately his militia became trapped in the lower part of the city and were forced to surrender. The Battle of Quebec was the first major defeat for the Americans, and it unfortunately came with heavy cost (54 killed, 34 wounded). General Montgomery was killed, Benedict Arnold was wounded, and Daniel Morgan, along with 401 men were taken prisoner. British Governor  Sir Guy Carleton and his militia only suffered a small number of casualties (5 killed, 13-14 wounded). The remaining part of the American Army under Arnold tried to maintain a blockade, but was mostly ineffectual. British reinforcements arrived in the spring by ship for General Carleton.

 

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The American Establishment
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    The “American Establishment” was an amalgamation of several British Provincial Regiments. The British Army Command provided a pathway for any Provincial Regiment to obtain a higher military status by going onto the American Establishment. For a Provincial soldier it was a sign of status to be conferred upon. Any Provincial unit that was eligible had to have performed valuable service with dignity and valor; and the candidate regiment had to have achieved their quota of new enlistments. The American Establishment was first conscripted in the American colonies during the second half of the American War under a single military establishment, which was within the regular British Army. This was unlike the Provincial Troops raised by legislatures and colonial governors to serve for a single season during the prior French & Indian War. This was a commitment for the whole duration of the war, and placed under the jurisdiction of the British Army’s command structure. General Howe most likely the person who authorized and erected the American Establishment on May 2nd 1779. Only 5 Regiments would achieve this status between 1779 and 1781, including The Queens Rangers (1st American Regt. May 2nd, 1779), The Volunteers of Ireland (2nd American Regt. May 2th 1779), The New York Volunteers (3rd American Regt.), the King’s American Regiment (4th American Regt. Dec. 1776), and the British Legion (5th American Regt.), which were numbered 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th American Regiments respectively. These American Establishment Regiments were allowed to order their clothing directly from England instead of using whatever they could obtain from the Provincial stores. Officers were automatically entitled to a permanent rank as well as half their pay upon the reduction of their unit at the war’s end.

 

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     The creation of an “American Establishment” was not a novel occurrence. It actually followed the age-old British custom, which already existed in Ireland and Britain. The idea was to grant these Loyalist Volunteers “nominally equal status” to their regular British Army counterparts. It was the hopes of the King and Parliament that this would encourage loyalist to enlist in the British Army down the road after volunteer service.

 

*
Queen’s Rangers * 1st American May 2nd 1779
Queen’s Rangers British Establishment December 25th 1782

*
The Queens Rangers
*************************
* 1st American *

     The predecessor to the Queen’s Rangers was Rogers’ Rangers. Robert Rogers was an American Frontiersman who fought for the British during the French and Indian War. Rogers arrived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1756, and began to muster soldiers for the British Crown using the authority granted to him by Colonel Winslow. Rogers’ recruitment was well supported by the frightened and angry provincials due to the numerous attacks by the Native American Indians. The Rangers were initially raised as a provincial company, but were quickly adopted into the British Army as an independent Ranger Company. Rogers was given the rank of Major and uniquely trained a light infantry company that adapted to the hostile winter environment that used unorthodox colonial guerrilla tactics.

 

Major Robert Rogers, Queen’s Rangers Organizer
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      Rogers’ Rangers primarily operated in the Lake George and Lake Champlain regions of New York. His force acted as a spearhead and was primarily tasked with conducting special operations outside of normal British Army orders such as, raiding French towns and military encampments. His Rangers were known to successfully launch winter time raids traveling on sleds, crude horseshoes, and even ice skates across frozen rivers. Roger’s tactics proved so remarkably effective that his initial company expanded into a Corps of more than a dozen companies containing as many as 1,200 to 1,400 men. Rogers’ Rangers became the chief scouting arm of the British Crown forces by the late 1750s because of their ability to gather intelligence about their enemy. The Rangers were officially disbanded in 1761.

 

* Queen’s Rangers “QR” Hand Engraved *
Silvered Sheet Copper Repousse 25mm.
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     When the Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, about 50 British Loyalist regiments were raised for the war time effort. Rogers was once again asked to raise a unit of Rangers. This time his recruits wouldn’t be angered and frightened provincials with Native American Indian problems, but American Loyalists who sided with the Crown against colonial rebels who were trying to fragment society. Under General Howe’s authority he raised a company of Rangers who were mainly living in Westchester, Long Island, and Western Connecticut. Shortly afterward, they were accompanied by men from the Queen’s Loyal Virginia Regiment. Rogers’ Rangers officially became the Queens Rangers, and were first assembled as such in August of 1776, on Staten Island in New York. The new name given was in honor of King George III’s wife Queen Charlotte, and was designated as “the 1st American Regiment.” The unit grew quickly to about 937 officers and men. They were organized into 11 companies of about 30 men each with an additional five troops of cavalry. Originally, the unit was tasked with building fortresses and redoubts.

     Their first skirmish took place at the Battle of Mamaroneck on October 22nd 1776, in Westchester County, New York. Following the retreat of George Washington into White Plains; British General Howe intended to cut off General George Washington’s escape route. He ordered Major Robert Rogers and his Rangers to set-up an outpost position in the village of Mamaroneck in order to cover the eastern flank of the British Army. The Rangers scouting reports previously indicated that Mamaroneck was recently abandoned by the Continental Army, so they were free to set up a British encampment. On the night of October 22, Colonel John Haslet of the 1st Delaware Regiment took 750 of his men and achieved a small tactical victory by a surprise attack. Even though Rogers Rangers rallied at the end and finally drove off the attack, he suffered serious losses: 30 men were killed or wounded and 36 were captured. Only 15 Continentals were killed in the battle.

 

      In 1768, “A Plan of Discipline for the use of Militia,” by Windham, William & George, Lord Townsend.
The manual acted as a guideline in training Militia and used by officers as a handbook in New England
& Canada. The ownership inscription is dated to 1772, Nathaniel Ruggles of Rochester, MA. who
served in the Massachusetts Regt. beginning in 1762 and during the American Revolution.

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      The British Command no longer approved of Roger’s command style and he ended-up leaving the unit three months later on January 29th, 1777. He was then replaced briefly by a noted brutal and ruthless officer named Major James Wemyss of Edinburg, Scotland. Wemyss was promoted to Major when he took command of the Queen’s Rangers. He led the Rangers for a little over five months, and during that time the Rangers fought two battles. One at Brandywine on September 11th, 1777, and then the other at Germantown the following month on October 4th, 1777. Even though the Rangers sustained heavy losses, the unit was able to earn a forward reputation for gallantry with a noted distinction of valor on the field at the Battle. Major Wemyss was slightly wounded at Germantown, and on October 15th 1777, John Graves Simcoe took command.

 

* Queen’s 1st American *
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    John Graves Simcoe was a Captain who saw action with a grenadier company with the 40th foot in the New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia campaigns. He later commanded the 40th at the Battle of Brandywine where he was slightly wounded. Legend has it that at Brandywine Captain Simcoe ordered a stand-down and not fire upon the fleeing rebels; amongst whom was General George Washington. After Brandywine Simcoe sought to form a Loyalist regiment of “Free Blacks” from Boston, but was instead he was given the rank of Major and offered the command of the Queen’s Rangers. The unit became informally known as “Simcoe’s Rangers.” It was a well-trained light infantry unit comprised of 11 companies of 30 men, 1 grenadier for each company, 1 hussar, light infantry, rifleman, and about 30 cavalry.

 

 Provisional Rank of Major, John Graves Simcoe
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     Simcoe’s Rangers saw extensive action during the Philadelphia campaign, including a successful surprise attack, which was planned and executed by Simcoe near the Crooked Billet tavern. The Battle of Crooked Billet was fought on May 1st 1778. Previously, in the closing days of April General Lacey began a series of maneuvers and patrols across the area and around Billet’s Tavern. One of Lacey’s straggling companies was attacked by a British patrol, and a Loyalist Spy was able to get information and notify Simcoe of General Lacey’s whereabouts. Simcoe secured permission from General Howe to launch an attack on Brigadier General John Lacey’s militia forces. On April 30th, Simcoe’s Rangers and Lieutenant Colonel Robert Abercromby led their contingent of 850 troops out of Philadelphia towards the Crooked Billet Tavern. The night before General Lacey ordered Lieutenant William Neilsen to begin his patrols around 2:00 AM and ordered the brigade to stand on high alert. Neilson failed to follow his orders and didn’t start his patrol until almost daybreak. They had not gone far when they spotted Simcoe’s Rangers and British troops advancing quickly. Simcoe was able to pull off a surprise attack against General Lacey and three regiments of Pennsylvania militia about 350 to 500 men who were literally caught sleeping. Simcoe’s Rangers inflicted significant damage, and Lacey and his remaining forces were forced to retreat into Bucks County. General Lacey had 26 soldiers killed, 8 wounded, and 56 captured. Simcoe and Abercromby only had 7 wounded.

*

Recruitment Poster used by J.Simcoe

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*

* Queen’s Rangers Design Patterns *

 

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*

Queen’s Rangers Service Records

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• In 1777- 1778 The Rangers provided escort and patrol duty around Philadelphia. 
• In 1778, Lt. Col. Simcoe led an attack on Judge William Hancock’s house during a foraging expedition and encountered Patriot militia and a night sneak attack with bayonets at Quinton’s Bridge killed 10 militiamen in their sleep and wounded 5 others. William Hancock was also killed that evening, but he was not with the Americans.
• In 1778, fought during the Philadelphia Campaign, Served as rearguard during the British retreat to New York. 
• In 1778, fought the Stockbridge Militia in the Bronx.
• In June of 1778, Simcoe and his Rangers took part in the Battle of Monmouth, New Jersey. 
• On August 31st of 1778, Lt. Col Simcoe led a massacre of 40 Native American Indians who were allied with the Continental Army in the Bronx. 
• On May 2nd 1779, Simcoe’s Rangers were officially taken into the American Establishment as the 1st American Regiment.
• On October 26th 1779, Simcoe’s Raid: Simcoe and 40 of his Rangers launched an attack on the Conference House in central New Jersey from Staten Island, New York. The raid resulted in the burning of Patriot supplies (hay & grain) inside of a Dutch Reformed Church. They went on to release Loyalists prisoners being kept in the Somerset County Courthouse. During the raid Simcoe was taken prisoner by Colonel Armand Tuffin a Breton Cavalry officer serving under the American Flag. 
• On December 31st 1779, Simcoe was released in a prisoner exchange and rejoined his unit in Virginia. 
• In 1780, The Rangers were stationed in Charleston, South Carolina.
• In January of 1781, Simcoe worked with the Turncoat Traitor Benedict Arnold with a series of British military actions against the Capital of Virginia. With Simcoe’s Rangers help the Richmond Campaign is considered one of Benedict Arnolds greatest successes while serving under the British Army, and one of the most notorious actions that Arnold ever performed. 
• September 28th to October 19th 1781,The Rangers were involved also with a skirmish near Williamsburg, and were at the siege of Yorktown. After their surrender the rank and file were imprisoned in Westchester, Virginia. 
• December 25th 1782, Simcoe’s Rangers was (elevated?) taken into the British Establishment. 
• At years end in December of 1781, Simcoe was invalidated back to England as a Lieutenant Colonel, and then promoted in 1782. 
• In 1783, when the war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the Queens Rangers left New York for Nova Scotia where they were disbanded. 
• Simcoe wrote a book on his experiences with the Queens Rangers, Titled, “A Journal of the Operations of the Queen’s Rangers from the year 1777 to the Conclusion of the late American War,” which was published in 1787.
• When the British decided to create a new province in Canada, they chose John Graves Simcoe to be the first Lieutenant Governor. The province of Upper Canada was created in what we now call southern Ontario. Founder of Toronto.

 

* 1791-1802 Queen’s Rangers Post War Canada *
Crown Surmounting Arabic “1st A” encompassed in a Laurel Wreath
Lower Legend QR Queens . Rangers, Raised Design, 23mm. Silvered Brass

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     In 1791, after the American War of Independence John Graves Simcoe was named Lieutenant Governor of the newly created British Province of upper Canada. The Queens Rangers was revived to form the core of the Canadian defense forces. The officers were mostly all veterans of America’s Revolutionary War. The Rangers 1st built and then stationed themselves out of Fort York, which is west of downtown Toronto, Ontario. Although, there was very little military action during this period, the Queens Rangers were instrumental in clearing land that helped construct both Canadian capitals. York, which is now Toronto, and Niagara, which was located on the Lake. The Queens Rangers were also credited with building the first military roads from Toronto to Kingston through Lieutenant Governors Simcoe’s road building campaign. Most notably in 1795, they blazed a trail for Yonge Street, a major arterial route from Ontario, which connects the shores of Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe. This provided a “Key Gateway” of sorts to the Upper Great Lakes. Afterward, the Rangers turned their road building efforts to Dundas Street and Kingston Road. The Queen’s Rangers were once again disbanded in 1802, with most of the men joining the York Militia with which many would take an active role in the War of 1812.

 

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    This is the post-war Dress Uniform coat of Captain William Jarvis of the Queen’s Rangers Dragoons. William Jarvis first joined John Graves Simcoe’s Rangers in 1777. The Dragoon uniform dress coat sports a Dark Green color with a Black velvet collar, cuffs, and lapels. There is a White turret back with “Silver buttons” depicting an incised surmounting Crown over the initials, “D” / “Q . R,” which is encompassed within two incised Laurel Wreaths with a center Bow tie. Circling the outer perimeter of the button is an incised decorative squiggly edge design. To set off the uniform buttons in a military fashion statement is a Silver tear drop curved lace that ends in a “V” point. The sleeve buttons are set between two opposed tear drops in a herringbone stitch design. The coat’s collar design is what is called, “Raised and Fall” in its shape. Supposedly, this was an emerging fashion in the 1780’s, which carried through for officers in the next few decades. 

 

Queen’s Rangers * 1st American May 2nd 1779
Queen’s Rangers British Establishment December 25th 1782

 

 

QUEEN’S RANGERS * “QR” Button

Color: A Silvery Brown.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Hand Engraved, Silvered Copper sheet Repousse over Bone Back.

Size: 25mm. 
Coat Size.
Robert’s Notes: There appears to have been five design patterns made for the Queen’s Rangers. This is the earliest known pattern. Prior to the creation of the 1st American Regiment on May 2, 1779, the unit was thought to have used plain flat metal buttons, but a pewter specimen indicates that Officers and Sergeants may have used Pewter Crown and Standard Buttons. This early specimen could serve as evidence (conjecture) that the regimental officers or cavalry could have used these prior to 1779. The button was excavated at a British Fort at Richmond, Staten Island, New York. Current whereabouts: New York Historical Society.
Variation: This is a one-piece flat button with a crude “QR” hand engraved on a plain face.

 

1779 QUEEN’S RANGERS 1ST AMERICAN * “SMALL CROWN & ARABIC 1 IN 2 CONCENTRIC RINGS “

Color: A Silvery Brown.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Pewter.

Size: 16mm. 
Cuff Size.
Robert’s Notes: There appears to have been five design patterns made for the Queen’s Rangers. This is the enlisted man’s  pattern. Prior to the 1st American Regiment on May 2, 1779, the unit was thought to have used plain flat metal buttons.
Variation: This is the most common of the five patterns to be found at forts, encampments and Revolutionary War sites. The button depicts a small Imperial State Crown of England surmounting a small Arabic number “1.” There are three raised concentric rings with the outer closed. The two interior rings have a plain field and are only crown high. The outer ring contains the inscription, “American” in raised Roman font capital letters in a semi-circle around bottom legend. This is a flat one-piece button with a loop shank.

 

1779 QUEEN’S RANGERS 1ST AMERICAN * “SMALL CROWN & ARABIC 1 IN 2 CONCENTRIC RINGS“

Color: A Silvery Brown.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Pewter.

Size: 16mm. 
Cuff Size.
Robert’s Notes: This is the same pattern for the Queen’s Rangers enlisted man’s button above, but slightly convex on the obverse, and is much thicker than my other pewter one. Most probably a different mold was cut and used. The reverse appears to have a larger British style raised boss. This enlisted man’s pattern was probably for riflemen or infantry.
Variation: The button depicts a slightly larger crown surmounting a small Arabic number “1.” There are three raised concentric rings with the outer closed. The two interior rings have a plain field and are only crown high. The outer ring contains the inscription, “American” in raised Roman font capital letters in a semi-circle around bottom legend. This is a flat one-piece button with a loop shank.

 

1776 QUEEN’S RANGERS 1ST AMERICA * SMALL CROWN W/ LARGE ARABIC 1

Color: A Silvery Brown.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Pewter.

Size: 23mm. 
Coat Size.
Robert’s Notes: This is the large coat size enlisted man’s pattern. The button depicts a small crown surmounting a large Arabic number”1″. Encircling the lower legend is the inscription, “AMERICA” in large Roman font letters. This is a flat one-piece cast button with a loop shank. Noted Variant: inscribed, “America” not American.

 

1791-1802 QUEEN’S RANGERS * QR QUEENS . RANGERS 1st-A IN LAUREL WREATH

Color: A Pewter Brown.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Silvered Brass.

Size: 23mm. 
Coat Size.
Robert’s Notes: This appears to be an officer or sergeant’s Repousse pattern.
Variation: This is a British-Canadian enlisted man’s pattern coat button. The button depicts a medium size Crown surmounting a small Arabic number “1st A.” Encompassing the 1st is a Laurel Wreath in a semi-circle crown high. QR Queens . “Rangers” appears in raised Roman font capital letters circling the bottom legend. This is a flat cast one-piece button with a loop shank.

The Brian Rollason Collection.
www.facebook.com/RollasonWarof1812 

 

1791-1802 QUEEN’S RANGERS * QR QUEENS . RANGERS 1st-A IN LAUREL WREATH

Color: A Pewter Brown.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Silvered brass.

Size: 16mm. 
Cuff Size.
Robert’s Notes: This appears to be an officer or sergeant’s Repousse pattern.
Variation: This is the Officer’s pattern cuff button. The button depicts a medium size Crown surmounting a small Arabic number “1st A.” Encompassing the 1st is two Laurel Wreaths which reach crown high, which are joined at the bottom with a Bow tie. QR Queens. “Rangers” appears in raised Roman font capital letters circling around the bottom legend. This is a flat cast one-piece button with a loop shank.

The Brian Rollason Collection.
www.facebook.com/RollasonWarof1812 

 

1791-1802 QUEEN’S RANGERS * QUEENS RANGERS DRAGOONS D /Q .R

Color: Silvered W/ Patches of Oxidation.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Incised Design, Silvered Brass.

Size: Lapel Size.
Robert’s Notes: This is Captain William Jarvis’ lapel button on his dress uniform. Records indicate the buttons were made for him when he ordered his uniform. He paid 1 pound 11 shillings for the buttons. When originally displayed at Fort York they incorrectly assessed the coat came from post-war 1785. Historians and military writers revised the date of the jacket. Unfortunately, no one has published a picture of the back of the buttons, but they are of so high quality it would be reasonable to assume either Samuel Firmin, Walter Williamson, or even John Williams may have made them.
Variation: The button depicts a medium size Crown surmounting a small Arabic number “1st A.” Encompassing the 1st is a Laurel Wreath in a semi-circle crown high. QR Queens. “Rangers” appears in raised Roman font capital letters circling the bottom legend. This is a flat cast one-piece button with a loop shank.

 

*
The Volunteers of Ireland
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(105th Regt. of Foot) * 2nd American Regiment *

 

 ~ 1770’s ~
Irish Volunteer Sleeve Button

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     Originally, this regiment was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as “The Volunteers of Ireland” in 1777, and then continued on to the City of New York with the regular British Army in the spring of 1778. Francis Edward Rawdon-Hastings was an Irish Lord who had joined the British Army and then rose through the officer’s ranks to General. In 1777, he was given permission to form a Loyalist Provincial Regiment of Irishmen who were currently serving in other Loyalist regiments. Rawdon’s enlistment cry to Irishman was, “The Cause of America is the Cause of Ireland.“

 

 1782-1783 105th Regt. of Foot (Volunteers of Ireland).
105 Under a harp W/ Volunteers of Ireland Circling Around the Legend 
Copper 19mm. Raised Design Flat button with a loop shank. Extremely Rare.

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     The British Army had the wind at their backs and in May of 1780, there was a major victory by the British in Charleston, South Carolina. Afterward, General Rowdon’s Volunteers of Ireland (the 105th Regt. of Foot) went on to fight in the Battle of Camden in South Carolina. The British forces in the Southern theatre were under Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis. He would soon face off against Major General Horatio Gates’ American Army about 5 miles north of Camden South Carolina.

 

Volunteers of Ireland Silver Infantry Officer’s Belt Plate
Crown Maid of Erin Harp in Center, “N I” Inscription on Flanks
Top Riband Inscribed, “For Our King” Bottom Riband, “Our “Country.”

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      Lord Cornwallis had roughly about 2,239 men including, Loyalist militia, Rawdon’s Volunteers of Ireland, and Sir Banastre Tarleton’s infamous British Legion. For the battle, General Cornwallis formed his army into two brigades. On the right was Colonel James Webster who was tasked to go up against the inexperienced militia of the American Army. The left brigade was under Lord Rawdon’s command and would face the Continental Infantry with his Volunteers of Ireland (105 regt.) along with Banastre Tarleton’s Infantry and Loyalist Troops. Tarleton’s cavalry force was strategically planned to work around and then charge into the rear of the Continental line to break-up the formation. Lord Cornwallis also placed four guns in the British center to match General Gates gun formation.

 

The 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers
Three Feathers over Roman XX III 
Motto in Banner Ribbon “ICH DIEN”
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     General Gates placed the American Army in formation just before first light. On the right flank he placed Mordecai Gist of the 2nd Maryland Brigade (three regiments) with the Delaware regiment acting as right-wing support. On his left flank he placed Caswell’s 1,800 North Carolina Militia and 700 Virginians with 120 men of Armand’s Legion in the rear. General Gates ordered the attack and Cornwallis issued the same order in response. Cornwallis ordered Lt. Colonel James Webster on the right flank to advance the 23rd Fusiliers and the 33 Regt. of Foot (about 800 soldiers) with bayonets toward the 2,500 Virginia and North Carolina militia. The militia got spooked fast because they had never fought against bayonets before, and they fled the battle-ground practically before it even began; thus, collapsing General Gates’ left wing. The Virginians fled so fast they only suffered 3 wounded, and the North Carolinians fled all the way back home to Hillsborough, North Carolina.

 

1770-1780 33 Regt. of Foot
Plain Face w/ Arabic 33 Incised
Copper Alloy with Silver Sheet
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     Lord Rawdon’s left Brigade and Volunteers of Ireland advanced in two charges against the 2nd Maryland Brigade and Delaware regiment, but heavy fire repulsed his regiments. The Continental troops constantly launched counter attacks that came close to breaking Rawdon’s faltering line, but Cornwallis rode to support his left flanking position and was able to steady his men. He then ordered up the 1st Maryland brigade to engage the remaining Continental soldiers who remained. General Cornwallis then ordered Carleton Cavalry to charge into the rear of the Continental line. They were quickly outnumbered, outflanked, and surrounded. The cavalry charge finally broke up the Continental line for good and Gates troops fled. After just one hour of battle the American troops were utterly defeated, suffering over 2000 casualties. About 100 Continentals were able to escape through the swamp and about 50-60 Maryland line Continentals were able to escape in good order. The unscrupulous and treacherous Carleton had his cavalry pursue the retreating Continental soldiers for some 22 miles before drawing rein. In Tarleton’s own words to his men: “Route and slaughter in every quarter”.  The Volunteers of Ireland 105th Regt. acted with noted distinction and Sergeant Thomas Hudson performed with unwavering battlefield heroics that his name was continually praised in aftermath reencounter journals of the battle.  Sergeant Hudson later received one of only two decorations of heroism awarded to a soldier of the British Army.

 

1781 Continental Army Officer’s Repousse Button
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     On April 25th 1781, Major General Nathanael Greene of the American Army defended a ridge known as, “Hobkirk’s Hill” near Camden, South Carolina with a small force of about 1,550 regular soldiers and militia. Lord Francis Rawdon of the British Army was under the impression that the Continental Army on Hobkirk’s Hill was vulnerable without artillery and a swift strike could be beneficial. So, Rawdon took 900 men including his own regt. the Volunteers of Ireland (105th Regt.) at 9:00 AM and left the security of Camden’s fortifications. Rawdon’s plan was to skirt the swamp in the woods next to the ridge and take the Continentals by surprise after their long march the day before.

      As the Continentals were cooking and doing their laundry that morning the forward pickets detected the British advance. They were able to delay them long enough to get word to General Greene so he could give orders and line up the troops. Greene perceived the advantage because the British approach had to present a narrow front. He placed a Virginia Regt. on the extreme right with another Virginia regt. to their left. On the extreme left he placed the 5th Maryland regt. with the 1st Maryland Regt. to their right. Fortunately, earlier that morning Lt. Colonel Carrington was able to return with three 6lb. canons. The heavy Artillery was placed in the center position with the North Carolina Militia with 40 gunners from Virginia.

 

Rawdon’s Own Volunteers of Ireland
The 2nd American Regiment in 1779

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     Rawdon extricated his forces from the swamp and forced the pickets back. At 11:00 AM Rawdon was able to properly place his forces in formation and slowly advanced up the ridge toward the waiting Continentals. The unexpected artillery fire from the Americans inflicted heavy casualties on Rawdon’s Volunteers, but they were able to hold their line. Unfortunately, as the Continental’s line was advancing the commander of the 1st Maryland Regt. was killed. This caused a lack of leadership and his troops didn’t hold their line and halted their advantaged strike. The company ended-up falling back to safety where they were able to reform the line once more. Concurrently, in another stoke of bad luck the commander of the 5th Maryland regt. was also mortally wounded, which threw his troops in disorder to hold their line. Seeing the Continental Army’s separate lines fall apart, Rawdon took advantage of the situation and ordered his Volunteers of Ireland to charge forward with bayonets. The Maryland troops rallied briefly for a few rounds of musket fire, but eventually fled themselves as the British descended onto them. After a fierce brief clash, the rest of General Greene’s soldiers retreated back a few miles off the ridge, leaving Rawdon’s troops in possession of the hill. The attack quickly became known as, “The second Battle of Camden.” 

 

British Cannon

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     On June 2nd, Rowdon left Charleston South Carolina along with his Volunteers of Ireland and 2,000 British troops in order to provide the much needed relief for the 550 Loyalist soldiers who were under siege at a fortified town called “Ninety Six.” The siege began preparations on May 22, 1781, by 1,000 Continental troops under the direction of General Greene. The Continental troops concentrated their efforts almost exclusively on an earthen fortification known as the “Star Fort” that was within the town limits. The Continental soldier’s assault was partially successful, but suffered when the leaders of their attack were killed in action, and Greene lacked sufficient time before British reinforcements would come to the Loyalist’s aid. General Greene ended-up calling off the assault before striking a victory, and retreated when word came that Rawdon’s forces were only 30 miles away. The Volunteers of Ireland stayed in South Carolina until the British surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown on October 19th 1781. The Volunteers were removed from South Carolina and taken by ship to New York. On December 25th 1782, the Volunteers were placed on the British Establishment as the 105th Foot regt. 

 

THE VOLUNTEERS of IRELAND (2ND AMERICAN REGIMENT) 1782-83
1782 Re-named “The Kings Irish Regiment” & Designated 105th Regiment of Foot

Color: Pewter Grey with Black.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Pewter.
Size: 22mm.
Troiani:
 LVI.c
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Good Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Robert’s Notes: This is the large size enlisted man’s pattern. The pattern has a high relief Crown over the mounted onto of a raised circle. There is a raised Arabic number “2” centered on a plain field. The word American is arced in the legend underneath. The regiment was formed in New York and Philadelphia in May of 1778. They had some action in Virginia, King’s Ferry, and Stony Point New York. Went to Charleston South Carolina in 1780, with a battle in Hobkirk’s Hill and Camden. Also had a Garrison stationed at Camden in 1781. In 1782, they had a raid on Santee. In 1779, they were recommended to be named 2nd American Regiment, but the designation didn’t take place until 1782. Later in that same year, they were re-designated 105th regiment of Foot, and re-named, “The King’s Irish Regiment”.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is reportedly intact.

Library Records Has Limited Information on BCL-6:
History:        Yes              Recorded Sales Price:     Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: ~ New York ~

 

 

*
New York Volunteers
Designated the 3rd American Regiment in May 2nd 1779

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The 3rd American Regiment Button

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    In Nova Scotia, the eastern province of Canada, several New York Volunteer companies were raised to fight in the beginning of the wartime effort. Several of these volunteer companies participated in the early New York campaign of 1776. Afterward, a detachment of N.Y. Volunteers was sent roughly 30 miles upstate to the Hudson Valley region by Bear Mountain (later West Point Area) for the attacks on Fort Clinton and Montgomery during the early part of the month of October in 1777. Their aim was dual purpose. First, they aimed to secure the Hudson River waterway and dismantle the Hudson River Chain. Second, they were to create a diversion through an attack on the forts in order to draw away the American troops from the Army of Horatio Gates who at the time was opposing British General Burgoyne’s attempt to control the Hudson River. This Regiment was issued coats in 1779, from the 52nd Regt., meaning New York Loyalist Volunteers would have used 52nd Regt. Buttons.  

 

Joined “NY” Button (Only Specimen Variant Known)
Officer’s Led (Not Pewter) Pattern 24mm.
Dug around Ft. Montgomery, New York

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      By the fall of 1778, they were transferred to east Florida. Several months later in May of 1779, they were officially designated the “3rd American Regiment”. By October of that year, the 3rd American Regiment traveled up from Florida to Savannah, Georgia, to take part in the siege at Savannah. In early April of 1780, the regiment traveled and participated with the siege of Charleston. By April 25th, the 3rd American Regt. was organized into a smaller British force of 1400 men under Lt. Colonel Francis Rawdon. The Lt. Col. was responsible for securing and defending the supply line from Camden to Charleston after Cornwallis had left. After capturing Charleston in May 1780, British forces under General Charles Lord Cornwallis established a supply depot and garrison at Camden as part of their effort to secure control of the South Carolina backcountry. (At this time the British Army held a chain of outposts that ran from Augusta, Georgia, and up into South Carolina).

 

 1776 -1783 New York Volunteers

 *************      *************

     General Nathanael Greene, with 1,551 Continental Army soldiers, tried to secretly disrupt the supply line by a surprise attack on Lt. Colonel Rawdon small command of 1400 men. At the time Lt. Colonel Rawdon was preoccupied by Francis Marion, whose band of partisans were orchestrating guerrilla tactics on his supply line from Camden to Charleston. The British commander was forced to dispatch 500 men (Leaving only 900 men to defend Camden) to deal with Marion’s rebels under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Watson Tadwell. He basically ordered him to seek-out and destroy the legendary “Swamp Fox.” When General Greene ensued the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill (in Camden, South Carolina) Rawdon’s men were left outnumbered, and ended up being flanked by musket fire. General Green also was able to surprise Rawdon by unaccounted for heavy artillery, which freshly arrived that morning. Needless to say, Lt. Col. Rawdon suffered heavy losses because Hobkirk’s hill was undefended by any British heavy artillery. The British lost roughly 260 men in the battle, with at least 38 soldiers outright killed at the onset. The Americans lost roughly 270 enlisted-men in the engagement. Later, in August of 1780, the Battle of Camden was fought and became a major victory for the British Army in the southern theater. The British forces were led under the command of Lt. General Charles, Lord Cornwallis. He was able to successfully route the American Army under Major General Horatio Gates north of Camden, thereby securing and strengthening the British hold over all of the Carolinas. By the summer of 1782, the 3rd American Regiment finally returned home to New York, and then later disbanded in Nova Scotia, Canada in 1783. It is said that after the war the officers and Volunteers of the 3rd Regiment were prideful and reflected that sentiment when proudly commenting on their buttons. 

 

1776 – 1779 NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS BUTTON



Color: Brass Yellow W/ Corrosion Brown.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Copper.

Size: 22mm. Coat Size.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Good Planchet Condition, A Good High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: This is recorded as an officer’s pattern, possibly the second one introduced. The button’s pattern depicts the initials for New York Volunteers, “N Y over V” in raised letters on a plain field. Circling the initials is an ornamental circle with ribbon bows on the side and below. The button’s edge border appears reeded. 

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank.

Dug near Ogdensburg, New York.

 

 

1776 – 1779 NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS BUTTON



Color: An Orangey Brown color.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Cast pewter.

Size: 24mm. Coat Size.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Fair Planchet Condition Remains, A Fair High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: This is a large size enlisted man’s pattern that was cast in pewter. The button depicts a raised design of a Crown surmounting the letters “NY over V” (New York volunteers)  Oak leaves outside of a concentric ring border.

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece cast button with a loop shank. The shank is reportedly original, straight, and intact.



 

1776 – 1778 Found W/ NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS BUTTON



Color: An Orangey Brown color.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design.

Size: 24mm. Coat Size.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition Remains, An Exceptional High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: Landed in Boston in 1774, and were flanking companies at Lexington & concord. Went on to join the New York campaign in 1776. Fought with NY Volunteers in Long Island, Pell’s Point, White Plains, and Fort Washington. Went on in 1777, to attack forts Clinton & Montgomery. This Regiment’s coats were purchased for Provincial use in 1779, when the regiment dispersed into other regiments. Many New York Loyalist Volunteers would have used 52nd Regt. Buttons. Many of these buttons were found with NYV buttons at known Loyalist sites.
This is a large enlisted man’s pattern that was cast in pewter. The button depicts a raised design of  a large “52” on a plain face with a Cable edge border.

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a raised boss and loop shank. 

 

1776 to 1779 NEW YORK VOLUNTEER LOYALIST 



Color: Silvery Brown.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Silvered Cast Pewter.

Size: 21.77mm. Coat Size.

Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Fair Planchet Condition, A Good High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: This could be another variation of a New York Volunteers’ button. The sellers said this was a Loyalist button in the listing, but unclear if factual. I could not source this button to any recorded documentation, but circumstantial evidence points to N.Y. loyalists during the Revolutionary war. The button’s pattern depicts New York raised initials in the center of a border edge decorative ring. The high relief pattern is set on a flat plain field with no edge border.

Reverse Button Analysis: The Boss is still present, but the loop shank is missing.



 

1779-1783 The 3rd AMERICAN REGIMENT

Color: A Silvery Green.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Cast Pewter.
Size: 22mm.
Troiani:
 LNYV.d
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Good Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Robert’s Notes: This is the large enlisted man’s coat button. The pattern has a high relief design of a crown over the Arabic number “3” that is within a concentric ring. The word American is in raised lettering in the legend underneath. Originally, this regiment was raised as two companies in Nova Scotia in 1776, and then went on to fight in the New York Campaign. In 1777, they expanded to a battalion, and had a detachment at the battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery. In the fall of 1778, they moved down to East Florida. They joined in the fight at the siege of Savannah in September of 1779, and then went to Charleston, S.C. in the spring of 1780. In the summer of 1782, they returned to New York. They officially were designated the 3rd American Regiment on May 2, 1779.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is reportedly intact.

 

 

The King’s American Regiment
Titled the 4th American Regiment in March of 1781

*******   *******   *******

     The King’s 4th American Regt. was raised in New York in 1777. The Regt. was stationed in several NY areas including, Long Island, Flatbush (Brooklyn), Flushing (Queens), and Kingsbridge (Bronx), New York. In 1777, the volunteers traveled upstate to the Hudson Valley region and participated in line and then hand-to-hand combat attacks upon Fort’s Clinton and Montgomery by Bear Mountain. In the late summer of 1778, they joined the garrison ranks in Rhode Island and took part in the raid on Nantucket. Afterward, in June of 1779, they returned to the New York metro area for a little over a year and then traveled south in October of 1780, to Virginia and then on to Charleston, South Carolina. Afterward, they traveled to Savannah, Georgia, and Florida for several obscure wartime operations. In March of 1781, they were officially titled, “The 4th American Regiment”. Since, there have been no found enlisted man’s patterns from these volunteers it is thought to be believed they wore, “RP” style buttons. There has been some conjecture that non-officers (the enlisted men) might have all worn standard flat brass buttons. Unlike other officer’s buttons these came in a variety of colors. For dating button specimens: Prior to 1778, green with gold coats faced white. Afterwards 1779, red coats faced with blue, (1783) faced olive). Aside from face color there appears to be two unique officers patterns used with several die variations as to stipple ring spacing and crown design, each having a similar cuff variant. 

 

 

1776-1778 THE KING’S AMERICAN REGIMENT



Color: Marble Green With Gold Highlights.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Incised Design With Raised Stipples, Gilt Brass.

Size: 25mm.
 Coat Size Button
Troiani: LKAR.a / Variation 2
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Exceptional Planchet Condition, An Exceptional Impression Remains.

Robert’s Notes: The design has a Medium Size decorative Crown incised inside on plain center field. Inside the crown is a Rose, Heart, and Cross with another small Catholic Cross surmounting the top. Circling around the crown is a double row of High Relief Stipples that is set inside of a channel. Circling around the border is the unit’s designation, “The. Kings. American. Regiment“. This is engraved in all Roman font capital letters. There is also four high-relief  Separation Dots in-between each word. This type of officer’s button was designed and made with the highest quality of manufacturing available at the time. They were usually made of gilded brass, and had Samuel Firmin’s “SF” backmark. This regiment was originally raised as a New York garrison in 1777, and was called, “The Associated Refugees.” They were stationed in several places in New York including, Flatbush, Flushing, and Kings Bridge. Their early campaigns included the attacks on Forts Clinton and Montgomery in the Hudson Valley. In 1778, they joined part of the Rhode Island Garrison and participated in the raid on Nantucket. Afterwards they returned back to New York in 1779. In 1780, they went to Virginia, and then onto Charleston, South Carolina. Afterwards they went onto Savannah, and had several operations in Georgia and Florida. They were titled the 4th American Regiment in 1781. The regiment was officially disbanded in 1784.

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a One-Piece Casting for the Reverse Shank. The shank is original straight, and intact.



Chris, Prince Edward Island Collection.~
Notes: In 1778 the buttons changed to Gold with Blue or Green Faces.

 

 1776-1778 THE KING’S AMERICAN REGIMENT



Color: White Gold Face with Gold Inlay.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Incised Design With Raised Stipples, Gilded Brass.

Size: 25mm.
 Coat Size.
Troiani: LKAR.a/ Pattern 2
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Exceptional Planchet Condition, An Exceptional Impression Remains.

Robert’s Notes: The design has a Small Size decorative Crown incised on a plain center field. Inside the crown is a Rose, Heart, and Cross with another small Catholic Cross surmounting the top. Circling around the crown is a double row of High Relief Stipples that is set on a stipple base inside of a channel. Circling around the border is the units designation, “The . Kings . American . Regiment”. This is incised in all Roman font capital letters. There are also four high relief Separation Dots in-between each word. This type of officer’s button was designed and made with the highest quality of manufacturing available at the time. They were usually made of gilded brass, and had Samuel Firmin’s “SF” backmark.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a One-Piece Casting for the Reverse Shank. 



Notes: The Original Buttons were Gold with White Faces, and then after 1778 they changed to Gold with Olive Green or Blue Faces.

 

1776-1778 THE KING’S AMERICAN REGIMENT (4th American Regt.)



Color: Rusty Gold.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Incised Design With Raised Stipples, Gilded Copper.

Size: 25mm.
 Coat Size.
Troiani: LKAR.a/Variation 2
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Exceptional Planchet Condition, An Exceptional Impression Remains.

Robert’s Notes: There appears to have been two or three die variations as to being in high relief or being incised. The design has a Small Size decorative Crown incised on a plain center field. Inside the crown is a Rose, Heart, and a Cross with another small Catholic Cross surmounting the top. Circling around the crown is a double row of High Relief Stipples that is set on a stipple base inside of a channel. Circling around the border is the unit’s designation, “The . Kings . American . Regiment”. This is incised in all Roman font capital letters. There are also four high relief Separation Dots in-between each word. This type of officer’s button was designed and made with the highest quality of manufacturing available at the time. They were usually made of gilded brass, and had Samuel Firmin’s “SF” backmark. This regiment was originally raised as a New York garrison in 1777, and was called, “The Associated Refugees”. 
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a One-Piece Casting for the Reverse Shank. 



 

1776-1778 THE KING’S AMERICAN REGIMENT



Color: Charcoal Gray Face with Gold Inlay.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, High Relief Design, Gilt Brass.

Size: 15.25mm Cuff Size.

Troiani: LKAR.a/Variation
 2
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Good Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: This rough example which shows major edge loss and chipping comes out of lower Canada. Unlike the coat size buttons, this die variant’s pattern is in high relief pattern instead of incised. This button’s design has a medium size high relief Crown on the center of a plain field. Within the crown is a Heart, Cross, and Rose. Circling around the crown is a Double Row of high relief Stipples. Circling around the border is the unit’s designation, “The . Kings . American . Regt.” in all high relief Roman font capital letters. There is four high relief Dots in-between each word which could signify an old-style European Cross. This type of officer’s button was designed and made with the highest quality of manufacturing available at the time. 

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece with a loop shank for the reverse. The shank is originals, straight, and intact.

 

1776-1778 THE KING’S AMERICAN REGIMENT



Color: Charcoal Gray Face with Gold Inlay.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, High Relief Design, Gilt Brass.

Size: 15.89mm Cuff Size.
Troiani: LKAR.a/Variation
 1
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: This is the small cuff size officer’s button for the King’s American Regiment. There appears to have been two or three die variations as to being in high relief or being incised.This patten is in High relief instead of incised. This button’s design has a medium size high relief Crown on the center of a plain field. Within the crown is a Heart, Cross, and Rose. Circling around the crown is a Double Row of high relief Stipples. Circling around the border is the unit’s designation, “The . Kings . American . Regt.” in all high relief Roman font capital letters. There are four high relief Dots in between each word which could signify an old-style European Cross.



The RJ. Silverstein Collection.
Dug near Monck’s Corner, South Carolina

 

1776-1778 THE KING’S AMERICAN REGIMENT



Color: Coppery Color W/Charcoal highlights.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, High Relief Design, Gilded Copper.

Size: 16.mm Cuff Size.
Troiani: LKAR.a/Variation
 2
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, Strong impressed Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: This is another variation of the small cuff size officer’s button for the King’s American Regiment. This button’s design has a small impressed Crown on the center of a plain field. Within the crown is a Heart, Cross, and Rose. Circling around the crown is a Double Row of high relief Stipples. Circling around the border is the unit’s designation, “The . Kings . American . Regt.” in all high relief Roman font capital letters. There is One incised Dots in-between each word. 

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece with a loop shank for the reverse. The shank is original, straight, and intact. 

 

1779 THE KING’S AMERICAN REGIMENT
They were titled the 4th American Regiment in 1781



Color: Yellow Gold With Purple/Blue Face.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Incised Design With Raised Stipples, Gilt Brass.

Size: 25mm.
 Coat Size Button
Troiani: LKAR.a/Variation
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Exceptional Planchet Condition, An Exceptional Impression Remains.
Robert’s Notes: The design has a Small Size decorative Crown incised on a plain center field. Inside the crown is a Rose, Heart, and Cross with another small Catholic Cross surmounting the top. Circling around the crown is a double row of High Relief Stipples that is set inside of a channel. Circling around the border is the unit’s designation, “The. Kings. American. Regiment“. This is engraved in all Roman font capital letters. There are also four high relief Separation Dots in-between each word. This type of officer’s button was designed and made with the highest quality of manufacturing available at the time. They were usually made of gilded brass, and had Samuel Firmin’s “SF” backmark.

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a One-Piece Casting for the Reverse Shank. The shank is original straight, and intact.


Notes: In 1778 the buttons changed to Gold with Blue & Green Faces.

 

1781-1783 KINGS AMERICAN REGIMENT * 4TH AMERICAN REGT.

Color: Earth Brown with Gilt Highlights.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Incised Design, Gilded Brass.

Size: 17mm. 
Cuff Size.
Troiani: LKAR.f
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Good Planchet Condition, A Good Impression Remains.

Robert’s Notes: In March of 1781, the King’s American Regiment was re-titled The Kings 4th American Regiment. Officers heavily gilded buttons with SF backmarks. Enlisted men were presumed to wear regular “RP” buttons. This officer’s button has a Large English Tudor Rose incised in the center with an Arabic incuse number “4” surrounded by a Reeded Circle. The unit’s designation, “The . Kings. American. Regiment” circles around the outside with a small Tudor Rose depicted at the bottom. 

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original straight, and intact. SF backmark present.

Notes: In 1778 the buttons changed to Gold with Blue & Green Faces.

 

 

1781-1783 KINGS AMERICAN REGIMENT * 4TH AMERICAN REGT.

Color: Earth Brown with Gilt Highlights.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Incised Design, Gilded Brass.

Size: 175mm. 
Cuff Size
Troiani: LKAR.e
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Good Planchet Condition Remains, A Strong Impression Remains.

Robert’s Notes: In March of 1781, the King’s American Regiment was re-titled Kings 4th American Regiment. Officers heavily gilded buttons with SF backmarks. Enlisted men were presumed to wear regular “RP” buttons. This officer’s button has a Large English Tudor Rose incised in the center with an Arabic incised number “4” surrounded by a Reeded Circle. The unit’s designation, “The . Kings. American. Regiment” circles around the outside with a small Tudor Rose depicted at the bottom. 

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original straight, and intact. SF backmark present.

 

1780’s British Legion Infantry Enlisted Man’s Button



Color: A Two-Tone Brown with Orange Flair.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Copper.

Size: 16.61mm.
 Cuff Size.
Rarity: R-7 (With this Border Variation)
Troiani:LRP.q (Book Specimen)
Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: Since this was excavated at Monck’s Corner it is reasonable to presume this was part of the British Legion infantry unit. This button is the large size coat button. The button’s pattern depicts a small crown over the initials, “RP”. The high relief pattern is set on a flat plain field with a raised border edge. One theory put forth is that these “RP” buttons did not exist before 1780. I am told by Don T. that this is an extremely rare type of Royal Provincial pattern, because it has a raised border, but I am skeptical of his assessment since I have seen multiple patterns of “RP” design pattern buttons. 




Reverse Button Analysis: The raised boss is still present, and the Iron loop shank is intact.

The RJ. Silverstein Collection.
Excavated near Monck’s Corners Charleston, South Carolina.

 

*
~ The British Legion ~
Designated the 5th American Regiment on March 7th, 1781

*******   *******   *******

Joshua Reynolds, Portrait of Colonel Banastre Carlton
Painting depicts Col. Tarleton Standing Victorious over Captured Military Prizes.

***********   *******   ***********

     The British Legion’s Cavalry and Light Infantry didn’t possess regimental colors like a bigger British Army line regiment. The chance that a light and fast-moving Legion of dragoons and light infantry would unnecessarily carry a cumbersome flag during a campaign is most improbable (in my opinion). There is no official record of the British Legion (5th American regiment) ever having regimental colors from when they formed in December of 1781, until they merged into the King’s Dragoons in 1783.

       
*************************************************************************************************************

     There is some debate by historians that Sir Joshua Reynold’s portrait of Colonel Banastre Tarleton is depicting the British Legion’s flag standard. Instead of the being draped on the ground under his feet the painting depicts a Legionnaire triumphant raising a conquering bellowing flag flourishing above Tarleton’s head. The flag’s field faintly depicts a Crown surmounting a battle worn silhouette of the Legion’s initial “L” within a victorious Wreath. The heraldic  Swan of the King (Eagle’s do not have long necks, esp. gallantry bowing) is depicted within a sun in the top left corner, and two artillery pieces below.  In military portraits it was considered normal to have the victor standing tall over his war trophies such as draped flags and captured cannons were considered victor prizes.

 

***********   *******   ***********

     Even though there is no official record of regimental colors we know some Cavalry units like the 17th Light Dragoons (who were attached to the Legion) did carry small (Pennant size) military standards called “Guidons.” It should be reasonable to assume a well-known successful British Legion Regt. headed by someone of Colonel Tarleton’s stature looking to strike fear or proudly display his Legion would have used a guidon. On the other side of the debate is the realization of warfare. Would they have bothered to carry a large Legion flag as pictured with them when they were detailed to charge into battle fields wielding sabers and breaking-up formation lines? History tells us that Colonel Tarleton’s Legionaries weren’t known to be civilized in their warfare tactics, and were often discipled and judged publicly. So, let your mind give you the answer, for me it was Joshua Renyolds was of embellishing the painting with Col. Tarleton’s Legion’s battlefield reputation with a Loyalist underpinning nature. 

 

1780 British Legion L Cipher
Cast Brass Openwork Script L
Possibly used on their Leather Caps

***********   *******   ***********

     The Legion was formed in New York City on July 6th 1778, by Sir Henry Clinton. His goal was to merge several smaller Loyalist units into a single force. His idea was to create a “Legion” that combined both infantry and cavalry to form a battery of light and fast-moving artillery. The infantry consisted of Caledonian Volunteers, which was a partially mounted and partially foot unit raised in Philadelphia in later part of 1777, and early 1778. Additional infantry included Ritzema’s Royal American reformers, West Jersey Volunteers, and some of the Roman Catholic Volunteers. Sir Henry Clinton’s Cavalry consisted of Captain Kinloch’s independent troops of New York Dragoons, the Philadelphia Light Dragoons, Emmerich’s Chasseurs, the “Prince of Wales American Volunteers”, and the 16th Light Dragoons. This newly formed regiment would be commanded by commissioned Colonel William Lord Carthcart with Banastre Tarleton as a commissioned Lieutenant Colonel. Once the British Legion left New York Tarleton would assume full operational command. This light and fast-moving Legion would be composed of approximately 250 cavalry and 200 infantry. The Legion would become to be colloquially known as, “Tarleton’s Raiders”, “the Green Horse”, and the “Green Dragoons”. The Green Horse was picked up for the most part by the loyalist as a sort of prestigious class differential because Tarleton’s Officers all wore green uniform coats. The Green Horses primarily fought several battles and many skirmishes in two principal campaigns, one in the Carolinas and the other in Virginia.

 

This button is an exact “L” match to the flag in Joshua Reynold’s painting
This was also dug at Monck’s Corners, Charleston South Carolina. I cannot confirm
this button is from Tarleton’s Legion; it could very well be from Pulaski’s Dragoons.

*******   *******   *******

      Small elements of the Legion’s Dragoons and infantry fought at the siege of Savannah in 1779. By 1780, the Legion as a whole unit was a vital part of British General Clinton’s Army that captured Charleston, South Carolina. The Green Horses participated in most of General Clinton’s South Carolina’s campaigns including the dispersal of American forces at Lenud’s Ferry, and the defeat of General Issac Huger and Lt. William Washington at Monck’s Corner. After the Legion received reinforcements in the form of more drafts from Emmerich’s Chasseurs, Bucks County Dragoons, and the Prince of Wales Volunteers they were able to take influential parts in the British Army’s Campaign efforts. 

 

 1775-76 South Carolina Loyalist Dragoons

*************      *************      *************

     The capture of the city of Charleston and its harbor was a vital necessity of the British plan to recapture the southern states and enlist loyalists to the crown. The Royal governors of the southern colonies gave the British the misconception that southern colonies were full of Loyalists who were just waiting for the British Army to liberate them from the patriots. There were major colony planters and merchants who had a variety of economic and family ties with Great Britain. For the Army the city of Charleston specifically was a symbol of patriot liberation for Loyalist recruitment, and would provide them a vital base of operation from which they could conduct their southern campaign. This was a meaningful turn in British strategy since the northern theatre was viewed as a stalemate after 1779. The successful capture of Savanah Georgia at the end of 1778, renewed British hopes of carrying out a successful British campaign and squashing the southern patriot rebellion. 

 

 The 2nd Continental Dragoon’s Standard taken by Tarleton at Pound Ridge, N.Y.. Colonel Tarleton
was a 24 years old and known as, ” a courageous and ambitious officer who was daring for action
and eager for fame.”  General Clinton decided that Carleton was ready to command the raid and would 
be his 1st independent expedition. His compliment would incl. the British Legion, 17th Light Dragoons,
Queen’s Rangers, the Hussars, and mounted Hessian Jagers. The total compliment was about 200.

*************      *************      *************

     General Washington was one step ahead of the British in his strategic planning. He figured logically that Charleston would be the likely target after Savanah. He gave command of Charleston’s defenses to Major General Benjamin Lincoln in September of 1779. He warned Lincoln that an attack was probable but that he would not be able to send reinforcements because he needed to maintain adequate numbers surrounding the northern British stronghold of the City of New York. When General Lincoln arrived in Charleston, the city’s harbor and defenses were in complete despair or left unfinished. His first task would be to repair and build-up the fortifications around the city while addressing the disarray of the western and southern sides. General Lincoln and his subordinates could not do this alone and had to importune city government officials to provide men and materials in order to reinforce the dilapidating conditions of the city.  Fort Moultrie and its garrison of 200 defenders was seen as a principal defense of Charleston’s city and harbor. It dominated all the narrow entrance channels though the sand bar leading into the mouth of the harbor. The Fort itself was constructed of sand and Palmetto logs, which have a spongy consistency and unusual nature of being able to absorb the shock from naval cannon fire and shot projectiles. 

1778-79 Artillery Officer’s Belt Tip, Artillery Piece & American Flag
Belt Tips are the earliest known Artifacts to Depict the American flag.
American Flag 13 Star Design was laid out in Rows of Five, Three, Five.

*************      *************      *************

     General Clinton set his sights on a renewed southern campaign and evacuated Newport, Rhode Island in October of 1779. He met his second in command, General Cornwallis in New York to set sail south to Charleston, South Carolina. His compliment included 8,500 British Regulars and 5,000 sailors on 90 troopships and 14 warships. After a treacherous sea, river, and mainland journey the British Army arrived at Charleston to begin preparation for the siege. Just after Christmas of 1779, the German soldiers left New York and made its way up the Savannah River. They maneuvered over land routes in the last part of the trip in order to approach Charleston from its weaker western and southern sides, thus bypassing the defenses at Fort Moultrie that took out the earlier British invading force in 1776.

 

~ 3rd Continental Light Dragoons ~
Sent to Southern dept. in 1779, &
 engaged in all Carolina Activities.

*************      *************      *************

     By the time the British arrived at the city General Benjamin Lincoln had 6,577 Continental Troops, Militia, and Sailors. Naval forces consisted of 3 Frigates, 5 Scoops, 1 Schooner, 1 Brig, and 3 armed Galleys. Needing to keep his communication and supply routes open outside the city limits General Lincoln dispatched 350 Dragoons and militia under General Issac Hunter 30 miles north to the crossroads of Monck’s Corner. Washington knew Lincoln’s ammunition stocks were inadequate and would be depleted in any kind of long drawn engagement. So, he advised General Lincoln to abandon the city in order to save his Continental forces, but Lincoln who grew relations with city officials during the fortification convinced him to stand fast. On April 1st 1780, General Cornwallis forces crossed over the Ashley river and began digging siege lines across the neck of the Charleston Peninsula in hopes of capturing the city and harbor intact. 

 

*************      *************      *************

     The American troops didn’t stand idle as the British Troops were digging their siege lines. American Patriot partisan forces under various commanders like Francis Marion harassed British soldiers in guerrilla warfare type tactics. Some even loaded cannons with metal refuse and broken glass (in order to conserve their ammunition stock for the upcoming battle) and fired onto the British soldiers who were working on their siege lines. Even after the British started their preparation on April 1st, troops still arrived to help with the defense of the city, including General Woodford with his 750 Virginia Continentals. 

     In order for General Clinton’s siege to be effective, he needed to break the American’s supply route and stop any kind of troop reinforcements into the city. Concurrently, he needed to consolidate British control over the immediate area, protect his own supply lines, and swiftly end guerrilla attacks by patriot militia. He formalized a plan to send a detachment of 1400 men under Col. James Webster to Biggin’s Bridge on the Copper River in order to intercept and cut off the American Army’s supply train. On April 13th, Tarleton’s patrols were fortunate enough to intercept a correspondence letter on April 13th from General Huger to General Lincoln. He learned vital intelligence on the disposition of Huger’s forces at Monck’s corner. On April 14th, General Clinton dispatched Banastre Tarleton and his Legion with Patrick Ferguson to capture Monck’s Corner. Instead of supplementing Tarleton’s Legion with British regulars whose main concern was concentrated on the siege and its preparation, he was given Loyalist Troops raised from the Colony of South Carolina. In addition, Tarleton’s British Legion was also reinforced by a detachment of the 17th Light Dragoons under the command of Captain Henry Talbotwith. 

 

 Royal Provincials button
found near Monck’s Corner, unusual border
Most likely Lt. Carleton’s Provincial Loyalists

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      On April 14th, 1780, the Battle of Monck’s Corner was fought outside the city of Charleston, South Carolina. The previous day’s intercepted correspondence from General Huger enabled Tarleton’s detachment to initiate a surprise attack, which he planned to commence in the early hours of the morning at 3.a.m. His carefully planned time would help seal the victory over the American forces stationed at Monck’s Corner. The survivors of the attack said it was swift and vicious and caused a complete disfunction to the preparation of military order to provide a counter attack. The American’s were so caught off guard in the early morning raid that both the officers and troops were forced to flee on foot for their lives into the surrounding swamps. The lost position at Monck’s Corner had an unfortunate consequence to General Lincoln’s besieged Army. It cut off their only avenue of escape.

     The Battle at Monck’s corner caused the death of 14 troops, 19 wounded, and 64 captured. Tarletons’ biggest prize was said to be the capture of the horses belonging to the American officers and cavalrymen. This strategically planned successful raid renowned Tarleton’s reputation amongst his superior officers, as well as the American troop survivors of the South. Colonel Tarleton’s command ethics didn’t just end in capturing the position of Monck’s Corner he ordered Green Horse to give no quarter to fleeing or captured soldiers. His officers were also documented by survivors of committing unwarranted, unprovoked brutalities toward not only captured officers, but unarmed patriot sympathetic civilians as well. Colonel Tarleton seems to have commanded a ravenous bunch of officers and troops whose ethics were highly questionable in civilized warfare. The Battle of Monck’s Corner would be the first major victory in the British renewed Southern Campaign.

 

 The Colors of the 3rd Virginia Detachment
Captured by Banastre Tarleton at Waxhaws.

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    The Battle of Waxhaws which was commonly also known as, “Buford’s Massacre” took place on May 29th, 1780, near Lancaster, South Carolina. After General Lincoln’s surrender of Charleston, General Huger ordered Buford to return to Hillsborough North Carolina. He turned his column from his previous assignment at Lenud’s Ferry and headed north. Colonel Buford’s command consisted of 380 Virginian Continentals, mainly new recruits. Colonel Tarleton was sent to intercept Buford and was in command of 150 Dragoons and mounted infantry. He sent Captain Kinlock ahead under a white flag to parley and demand Buford’s surrender. Buford ordered a halt of the column and formation of a line. In Tarleton’s conditions for surrender he greatly exaggerated the size of his force and claimed he had 700 men in hopes of swaying Buford’s decision to surrender without confrontation. buford outright refused to surrender and said, “I reject your proposal and I will defend myself to my last extremity.” Buford reformed his column and continued to march northward.

Continental Light Dragoon Button Cast Mold
Dug by Dale Hawley

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     Around 3:00 on May 29th, 1780, Tarleton’s Dragoons caught up with Buford’s rear guard. Five Dragoons were captured and the Captain who had fallen from his horse and was down was inhumanly mangled with saber cuts. Colonel Buford stopped the column and ordered a single battle line near some open woods. Tarleton, whose horses were tired from pursuit was unable to bring his field artillery into range. He set up a command post at a hill nearby. He went forward with his Dragoons and ordered a charge on the Continental line. His Cavalry assault was so fierce it tore through the Continental line and fragmented it into pieces. Unfortunately, Colonel Buford waited until the enemy was only 10 years away before ordering to fire, which strategically made the mistake of only allowing his men to fire a single volley. The calamity was so swift and severe that the Continentals immediately tried to surrender and threw down their weapons.

 

 1770’s Ceramic Plate Depicting a British Dragoon Officer.

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After Colonel Buford realized the cause was lost he immediately dispatched a white flag to Tarleton’s position in an attempt to surrender. While Buford was calling for quarter, Tarleton’s horse was struck by a musket ball and fell over on top of him trapping him underneath; hence, he claims he never received the flag, even though it was visible on the field. Tarleton’s Dragoons, fearing he was killed under the dissection of a white flag, resumed their attack with a fiercer vengeance of retribution. From American soldier accounts, Tarleton’s Dragoons proceeded to slash to death unarmed American soldiers as they were attempting to surrender. The incident would then go on to be known as, “the Waxhaws Massacre” for propagandists looking to bolster new recruitment and incite resentment toward the British Army. Americans who fought in the southern campaign would go on to use a new battle cry, “Tarleton’s Quarter,” which pretty much meant no quarter at all. Of the 420 Continentals making up Buford’s command, 113 were killed with Sabers, 150 were wounded, and 53 were captured. Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton only lost 5 men with 12 injured. Colonel Buford and some of his Dragoons were able to escape the engagement, but without their standard! 

Francis Marion, aka “The Swamp Fox”

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     On June 21st 1775, Francis Marion was commissioned as a Captain in the 2nd South Carolina regiment serving under William Moultrie at Fort Sullivan in Charleston’s harbor. He served valiantly in the Battle of Sullivan’s Island on June 28th 1776, and in the following September the Continental Congress commissioned him as a Lieutenant Colonel. In autumn of 1779, he took part in the siege of Savannah, and then later he went on to Charleston. He unfortunately broke his ankle, and wasn’t present during the siege or fall of Charleston. After hearing of General Lincoln’s loss, the defeat of General Huger at Monck’s Corner, and the Buford Massacre, he re-evaluated Continental Army war tactics and decided to adopt a more form of guerrilla warfare on the British. Marion did not believe in committing men to frontal warfare against the British army. He believed it was fruitless taking on the British Army using jus in bello established European rules of engagement (ROE).

 

~ 2nd South Carolina Regiment ~
Following the Capture of Charleston in 1780,
Colonel Francis Marion took the field as a
Militia Commander for irregular Militiamen

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     Lt. Colonel Marion decided to organize a small unit of men who were known to be “irregular militiamen” who preferred unconventional methods of warfare. Originally, Marion was able to raise about 20 to 70 patriots who embraced and preferred to use guerrilla tactic warfare. These men understood the strategic benefit of having the element of surprise in their guerilla-style attacks. They would patiently wait until the unsuspecting British Soldiers were off-guard in their routine activities, and then swiftly strike in a deadly encounter and withdraw before any alarm for reinforcements could be raised. These attacks were ruthless and terrorizing to the British regulars and Loyalist units who were under civilized British ROE. These militiamen were also opposite of Continental Troops. They served without pay, supplied their own horses, arms, and often supplied or hunted for their own food. Suffice to say, these irregular militiamen most likely had an axe to grind for they had no love for the British, nor had they the fortitude for regular service in the Continental Army or militia forces.

 

Possibly, A Generic 2nd Continental Light Dragoon Officer Button
Dug by my Treasure Hunter Buddy Dave Wise

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      The British loathed and despised Francis Marion and his irregular militia men’s guerrilla warfare tactics. They had made repeated attempts at capturing Marion and neutralizing his force; but with the overabundance of patriot loyalty in the Williamsburg area it gave Marion an intelligence gathering edge over the British. In November of 1780, Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton was detailed to either kill or capture Marion and his unit. It was LT. Colonel Tarleton who actually gave Marion his nom de guerre, “The Old Swamp Fox”. It came after he unsuccessfully pursued Marion and his troops for over 26 miles through a swamp without capture. Afterward, it was said he openly despaired of ever being able to find the “Old Swamp Fox.” Marion’s unconventional raids and exploits didn’t go unnoticed by the Patriot resistance movement outside the Continental Army. Governor John Rutledge who was in exile in North Carolina commissioned Marion as a Brigadier General. 

 

 1770’s Ceramic Plate Depicting a Patriot Dragoon Officer.

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     Another one of Tarleton’s affixations was the pursuit of Brigadier General Thomas Sumter of the South Carolina militia. Thomas Sumter was originally a soldier in the Colony of Virginia’s militia who then rose through the ranks after he joined the South Carolina Militia. The Battle of Fishdam Ford would finally take place on the morning of November 9th 1780. The British Legion was able to pull off a surprise attack at 1 A.M. under the command of British Major James Wemyss against a militia encampment under the command of General Thomas Sumter. The British attack ended up failing because of the heightened security of the militiamen of Sumter’s camp, and Major Wemyss ended up being wounded and captured in the brief engagement. Afterward Lord Cornwallis took command of the southern Crown forces and defeated General Horatio Gates at the Battle of Camden and nearly caught General Sumter at Fishing Creek with a surprise attack by Tarleton’s British Legion.

 

An Officer’s South Carolina Gorget (No Unit Association)
The Great Seal of South Carolina below as the Central device
The Angel Gabriel is Above Blowing his Trumpet Stating God’s Support for S.C.
On Left is Lady Liberty is Extending a Roman Style Laurel Wreath upon SC GS
On Right is a Uniformed Officer Clutching S.C. GS and holding possibly a Sword.

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*

     At the Battle of Cowpens on January 17th, 1781, the American troops under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan routed the British Legion, which was a part of a bigger force under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton. The Americans inflicted heavy casualties on the British forces defeating Tarleton. Most of the infantry was captured and the battle was a true turning point in the war’s southern campaign. After Cowpens, the remaining Legion infantry either transferred to the cavalry or joined the garrison of Charleston. From this point forward the British Legion was a cavalry force only. In March of 1781, the British Legion was incorporated into an amalgamation of several British Provincial Regt. known at the time as the, “American Establishment”. This made them an official part of the British Army rather than provincial or local troops.(The establishment was created on May 2nd, 1779, and was organized as 5 regiments; the Queens Rangers, Volunteers of Ireland, New York Volunteers, the King’s American Regiment and the British Legion, which were numbered 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th American Regiments respectively. The British Legion became the nth American Regiment at this time.

     Afterward, Cornwallis abandoned the Carolinas for Virginia. The British Legion cavalry under Tarleton raided towns ahead of the British Army, and nearly captured Governor Thomas Jefferson and Virginia’s General Assembly at Charlottesville. The Legion again engaged in widespread unnecessary destruction in order to get retribution and punish rebel sympathizers. Their goal was to deny any type of material support to the Continental Army and government. When Cornwallis finally occupied Yorktown the Legion was posted across the York River at Gloucester. The 5th Regiment got into a skirmish with French troops and ended-up surrendering at the end of the siege. Lord Cornwallis sought terms of surrender that would have ensured “No Reprisals” against the Loyalists, but General Washington refused understanding the unorthodox war behavior of the vengeful Loyalists. 

    *A specimen of the British Legion’s 5th Regiment Cavalry button was recovered near the site of Fort Golgotha, Huntington, N.Y.. It is believed that some remnants of Tarleton’s British Legion Cavalry were merged into the King’s American Dragoons in 1783. The Cavalry were known to wear small buttons on their jacket with an “L” insignia. The Legion’s infantry supposedly wore “RP” or unmarked buttons.  

 

1777-1780 Loyalist South Carolina Mounted Unit (A Detachment W/ Legion)

Color: A Hershey’s Chocolate Brown With Olive Undertones.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Copper.
Size: 28.5mm.
Troiani’s: ADSC.a Mine is Book Specimen.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, A Good Planchet Condition Remains, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Robert’s Notes: My latest theory is that this button belonged to a South Carolina British Loyalist either Dragoon’s or some kind of British related-Mounted Cavalry unit. Most likely an Officer using it as a field wear metal button. The loyalist sympathizers in South Carolina were known to had had light cavalry units, as well as an infantry unit. Probably, one of those pompous British assholes like Tarleton who had grand illusions of military authority over their fellow colonists. Collector’s should note, I have seen specimens with the same pattern on a convex field that were found in England. These have been tightly dated to the same time period. The button’s pattern depicts a Dragoon’s symbol of a Mounted Rider with a Drawn Saber. The horse is depicted as Charging upon a grassy mound. The high relief pattern is set on a flat stippled field with a deep channel in the legend.

     Since fall 2010, several copper, white metal, and pewter specimens have surfaced from metal detector enthusiasts. Meaning, this pattern was used more widespread than just the southern colonies. Confirmation from dig finds come from England, Canada, and the New England Colonies. I clearly make the distinction if the rider has a drawn Saber, I believe that would make the difference from a Livery type. No un-dug Specimens are known to exist, or have we seen painted portraits of officers with this button pattern.

 

 

1780’s British Legion Infantry



Color: A Two-Tone Brown with Orange Flair.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Copper.

Size: 16.61mm.
 Cuff Size.
Rarity: R-7 (With this Border Variation)
Troiani:LRP.q (Book Specimen)
Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: Since this was excavated at Monck’s Corner it is reasonable to presume this was part of the British Legion infantry unit. This button is the large size coat button. The button’s pattern depicts a small crown over the initials, “RP”. The high relief pattern is set on a flat plain field with a raised border edge. One theory put forth is that these “RP” buttons did not exist before 1780. I believe in my collecting experience and understanding known specimens that this is an extremely rare type of Royal Provincial pattern, because it has a raised border, and I have seen multiple patterns of “RP” design pattern buttons. 




Reverse Button Analysis: The raised boss is still present, and the Iron loop shank is intact.

The RJ. Silverstein Collection.
Excavated near Monck’s Corners Charleston, South Carolina.

Notes: There are only two known patterns to exist for an officer’s “Royal Provincial” button. The first is a 22mm. gilded Copper Repousse with a wood back. This was made for the Royal North Carolina Volunteers. This type has never been excavated, but examples have been found on period uniform jacket that dated to around 1782-3. The second, is a 22mm. gilded one-piece copper button with a loop shank. This pattern has a raised Crown with flowers and thistles above the above foliated or script letters “RPV” (Royal Provincial Volunteers). There have been a few recovered specimens of this type from South Carolina, but again this was probably not commonly used.

 

1778-1780 British Legion Loyalist Volunteers (Unconfirmed outside of dug location)

Color: A Silvery Brown.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Silvered Copper.

Size: 22mm. 
Coat Size
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Fair Planchet Condition, A Fair High Relief Pattern Remains.

Robert’s Notes: 18th Century Loyalist button. The button depicts a Large Raised Lined Shield in the Center. There is a raised capital letter, ” L “ for Loyalist in calligraphy. There is a high relief Ornate Crown above the shield. The word, “Volunteers” is arced in the bottom legend.

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank.



 

 

The Kings American Dragoons February 1781
Remnants of the British Legion & Queens Rangers

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    The King’s America Dragoons was a British Provincial military unit raised by Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Thompson for Loyalist service in February of 1781. The company was a conglomerate mix of the remnants from other British Loyalist units including, the British Legion, Queen’s Rangers, and a segment of Black Loyalist soldiers. The King’s American Dragoons primarily served on Long Island in 1782 and the early part of 1783. Colonel Thompson who had concurrently served as, “Under-Secretary of State,” spared no expense in ensuring that his Loyalist troops received uniforms and equipment that was equal or superior to any regular British Army regiment. Officers were known to wear Oval Sword Belt Plates, which were cast in bronze or brass, and the enlisted men wore high quality two-piece gilded brass buttons. 

 

The Color Standard of the King’s American Dragoons
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     In 1782, Colonel Thompson ordered Fort Golgotha to be built on the site of the town’s old burial grounds. The Fort was one of a string of British fortifications in a network in and around Huntington Long Island. He ordered the nearby Presbyterian Church to be dismantled and its timbers used in the Golgotha’s construction. This earned the King’s Dragoons local notoriety amongst the local civilian population for destroying and church and desecrating a local burial ground in order to erect a fort. Upon the war’s conclusion in July of 1783, they were evacuated from New York and resettled in Saint John, New Brunswick. The Dragoons were disbanded later in October of that year. Sir Benjamin Thompson moved to London where his administrative talents were recognized, and he was appointed a full Colonel. In the following year in 1784, Thompson who was also a physicist and inventor received knighthood from King George III because of his design contributions in British warships.

 

*                                   *   *

 

*

~ King’s Dragoon’s Officer’s Sword Belt Plate (drawings) ~
Oval device bearing a “LD” Cipher w/in an 8-Pointed Star
Circling around the legend is, “The Kings American Dragoons.”

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*

 

* Kings Royal Regiment of New York
1st Battalion in 1776, 2nd Battalion in 1780

*

 In 1780, Officer’s Uniforms were Scarlet
faced Blue, and trimmed with Regimental
Pattern “KRR” Gilt Buttons and Gold Lace. 

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    The King’s Royal Regiment of New York was raised on June 19th, 1776, in Canada by exiled Loyalist leader Sir. John Johnson who left his home and estates in the Mohawk Valley with his family and approximately 200 loyalist retainers. As loyalist refugees fleeing rebel persecution from New York, they traveled through the Adirondack Mountains to reach sanctuary up in British Canada. Upon their arrival in Montreal on June 15th, their timing happened to be fortuitous of Sir Guy’s militia being able to recapture the city a few days before.

     Soon afterward, Sir Johnson and his retainers set out to help chase down the retreating Continental Army south, down into the Richelieu Valley toward Lake Champlain. When he arrived at Fort Chambly with his loyalist retainers, he offered his services to Governor Carleton. Governor-General Carleton immediately commissioned and authorized Sir. Johnson to raise a loyalist regiment, which he named, “The King’s Royal Regiment of New York.” Initially, the regiment was only comprised of Sir Johnson and his refugee retainers from his estates in the Mohawk Valley, but the steady stream of Loyalist refugees fleeing into Montreal provided a ready source of recruits for Johnson’s Royal Regiment of New York.

     In the summer of 1777, the KRR was instrumental in the siege of Fort Stanwix in the Mohawk Valley, New York. Later that year, the regiment saw action in the Saratoga Campaign at The Battle of Oriskany on August 6th, 1777. This was considered one of the most significant engagements in the Saratoga Campaign, and also one of the bloodiest battles in the American Revolution. In the absence of British regulars, the battle was fought solely between the American Patriots with their allied Oneidas against Loyalists adversaries who were allied with the Iroquois Indians. In 1778, they participated in Carleton’s Raid, and then went on afterward to see action in the devastating raid on the Schoharie Valley. 

 

 In 1780, the KRR received its first issue of uniforms in
Red, faced with blue w/ regimental-marked KRR buttons. 

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     In the 1780’s, the King’s Royal Regiment of New York usually worked in concert with other fellow provincial regiments such as Butler’s Rangers and some of the allied Native American tribes (such as, the Iroquois Indians) in low level raiding campaigns throughout the NY frontier and agricultural sector of the Mohawk Valley. Their purpose was basically two-fold in nature. First, they intended to impede the supply of food to George Washington’s Continental Army. Their second goal was to apply indirect pressure to the rebel’s political leaders who were, at this point in time, actively persecuting Loyalist residents as traitors in aiding and supplying the British troops. 

 

1771-84 Royal Regiment of New York Officer’s Button
2nd Battalion

Color: Brass Yellow.
Metal: Gilded Repousse Sheet Copper / Bone Back & Cat gut cord Attachment.
Size: 22mm. Coat Size.
Present Condition: Heirloom Specimen, The Copper Repousse Exceptional Condition, Exceptional High Relief Pattern Remains.
Robert’s Notes: This is a large size officer’s pattern. The button depicts a small Crown above with a large intertwined Script “KRR” in the center on a plain field. Flanking each side on the edge’s perimeter is a Laurel Branch in a semi-circle reaching up toward the Crown. In the bottom legend is New . York in plain font. 

 

1771-84 Royal Regiment of New York Officer’s Button
2nd Battalion

Color: Brass Yellow.
Metal: Gilded Repousse Sheet Copper / Bone Back.
Size: 22mm. Coat Size.
Present Condition: Heirloom Specimen, The Copper Repousse Exceptional Condition, Exceptional High Relief Pattern Remains.
Robert’s Notes: This is a large size officer’s pattern. The button depicts a small Crown above with a large intertwined Script “KRR” in the center on a plain field. Flanking each side of the edge’s perimeter is a Laurel Branch in a semi-circle reaching up toward the Crown. In the bottom legend is New . York in plain font. 

This button comes from the uniform of Jeremiah French that is displayed in the Canadian war Museum. Jeremiah was a New York farmer and Loyalist who joined the British Army after he fled with others to Canada. Later, after service in the Queen’s Rangers, he served as a Lieutenant in the 2nd battalion, KRRNY, which was raised in 1780.

Additional Information: When he fled to Canada in 1777, French was hunted by rebel Committees of Safety, who issued this wanted notice: THIRTY DOLLARS REWARD ESCAPED from the guards the 21st of April last, one Jerah FRENCH of Manchester, who was prov’d to be a notorious TORY and was confined therefore. Whoever will seize the said FRENCH and return him to the commanding officer at Ticonderoga shall be entitled to the above reward. Every friend of liberty is hereby requested to take him dead or alive. Per order, JOSEPH BRADLEY, chairman of the committee of several towns assembled at Dorset, Dorset 21st April 1777. Jeremiah French was perhaps not a typical Loyalist. Safe in Canada, he joined the Queen’s Loyal Rangers as a lieutenant in 1777. According to the charges in his court martial in 1781, French immediately embarked upon a second career of fraud and embezzlement. The Loyalist lieutenant, said his commanding officer, had stolen and sold barrels of beef and flour that should have been issued to his troops. Acquitted, French nonetheless left the Queen’s Loyal Rangers and joined the King’s Royal Regiment of New York in November of 1781. A new regiment meant a new uniform, which French purchased in Montreal. The French family preserved this uniform for generations, until they donated it to the Canadian War Museum in 1983.

 

 

1781-84 Royal Regiment of New York Enlisted Man’s Pattern
2nd Battalion

Color: Brass Yellow.
Metal: Cast Pewter with Iron Shank.
Size: 19mm. Coat Size.
Present Condition: Dug Specimen, The Pewter in Fair Condition, Good High Relief Pattern Remains.
Robert’s Notes: This is the enlisted man’s pattern. The button depicts a small Crown above and the motif, “KRR” in large block letters on a plain filed. Circling the edge perimeter is a flanking Laurel on each side. This is a flat one piece button with a raised boss and loop shank.

The Brian Rollason Collection.
Dug near lle aux Noix (Fort Lennox) Quebec

 

 

* King’s County Militia *
1776 to 1783

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 William Axtell was a prominent West Indian merchant living in Long Island, New York. He was descended from David Axtell who was a Colonel in Cromwell’s Army, and was beheaded at the restoration of the Stuarts. During the Revolutionary War, much of New York remained Loyalists. As soon as the Royal Order was re-established, William was commissioned by the British to be a Colonel for the Corps of Long Island Loyalists. His militia was made up of independent troops of Light Dragoons and other combined volunteer corps. Their officers wore scarlet uniforms faced with Royal blue and trimmed in silver. 

 

 

Kings Orange Rangers
Orange County, New York

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 The King’s Orange Rangers was a Loyalist Battalion of Light Infantry raised in 1776, from Orange County, Provenance New York. In 1775, Sir William How accepted an offer from William Bayard to raise a battalion, which would defend the British interests in the Colony of New York. Within four months, KOR recruited roughly about 200 men, and were put on guard duty at King’s Bridge located at the northern tip of Manhattan Island. Unfortunately, during the winter the unit came down with smallpox and other diseases in camp. The KOR mostly wore civilian clothing; essentially, whatever they were wearing when they enlisted. Recruiting continued into 1777, with advertisements in the New York Gazette and weekly Mercury promising 40 shillings with new clothes, arms and accoutrements and everything necessary to complete a gentleman volunteer. In the spring of 1777, their first uniforms arrived. In keeping with most other American Loyalists of the time, the Corps were issued green coats faced white with white small clothes. This would last until 1780, when keeping with their name they were issued red coats with orange facing. The Rangers had an undistinguished military record and saw very little combat in the war. Their focus was largely on Patriot privateers. The Rangers left New York for the province of Nova Scotia, British Canada, where they saw most of their service until war’s end. 

 

 

* Butler’s Rangers *
Pouch Plate W/Openwork Script “GR” Cipher,
Georgian Crown Surmounts a Circular Flat Band
W/ Butler’s Rangers incised. 76mm. H x 52mm. W.

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     Butler’s Rangers was a Loyalist British Provincial Regt. in the American War of Independence, raised by Loyalist John Butler. He previously distinguished himself during the Saratoga Campaign at the Battle of Oriskany on August 6th, 1777. As a result of his combativeness, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel and given permission to raise his own British provincial regiment. Butler was able to raise 200 Rangers and make associations with several of the Native American tribes and increased his military associated strength by 300 Indians. His Rangers were mostly raised from upstate New York, refugees who fled to Canada when the American Revolution broke out. Included among his enlistments were African Americans who were former slaves. Historians are uncertain to an exact number, but enlistments have ranged from two to more than a dozen. Butler unfortunately did not have a strong relationship with the Indians or their tribe leaders, and his association ended-up earning him a reputation of being brutal treacherous and vicious in his battle tactics even though he was unable to control the warriors actions as his Rangers.

 

The Death of Major Pierson, John Singleton Copley, 1783
Some 50,000 African Americans escaped slavery from plantations. It is estimated that 20,000 took up arms
and fought with the British, in contrast to only 5,000 serving in the Continental lines. Afterwards, for loyal service
many were evacuated by the British after the war, and settled with Empire Loyalists in Nova Scotia, Canada.

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*

     The Ranger’s principal headquarters was based out of Fort Niagara, located in New York on the eastern bank of Niagara river at its mouth on Lake Ontario. Their winter lodging, however, was constructed on the west bank of the Niagara peninsula on the shoreline of Lake Ontario. The Rangers mostly fought in the Western part of New York and Pennsylvania, but ranged as far as Ohio and as far south as Virginia. The Ranger’s primary weapon was the Long and Short-Land forms of the Brown Bess musket, but smaller caliber weapons were used infrequently by officers. There appears to be a historical debate on their uniforms, but most agree they wore dark green woolen coats that were faced white. Most likely so they could blend into their surroundings. The trousers varied from gaitered trousers made from Russian sheeting (a hemp product), or of green cloth and buckskin Indian leggings that reached from their waist to ankles. 

 

* Butler’s Rangers Cross Belt Plate *
Incised Georgian Crown Surmounting “GR” Cipher
Butlers incised in Upper Legend & Rangers in Lower Legend

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     At the Wyoming Valley Massacre in Pennsylvania on July 3rd 1778, the Rangers were accompanied by the Iroquois Native Americans and killed more than 300 Patriots. Settlers claimed that after the battle Iroquois raiders hunted down and killed the fleeing Patriots. They also committed ritual torture to death against 30-40 men who had already surrendered. 

The Cherry Valley massacre on November 11th, 1778, was an attack on a Fort and the citizens of the village of Cherry Valley in Otsego County New York. It has been described as one of the most brutal and horrific massacres of the American Revolution. A mixed force of British soldiers, Loyalists, and Native Americans from the Seneca and Mohawks attacked the unprepared village. The raiders were under the command of John Butler’s son Walter Butler who exercised very little rein over the Native Americans during the raid. Supposedly, Butler’s authority with the Native Americans was undermined because of his poor treatment of Joseph Bryant who was the leader of the Mohawks.  The Seneca without regard targeted non-combatants in addition to the armed defenders. During the campaigns of 1778, Bryant ached an undeserved reputation for brutality, because he didn’t exercise his power to halt the atrocities by the other Native American Indians. Butler who was the overall commander of the expedition failed to restrain the innocent civilian killings and earned a reputation for ruthlessness with no-holds-barred warfare tactics. John Butler maintained that he unfortunately could exercise little control  over the Native Americans especially the Seneca. The news of the massacre was so widespread that calls for reprisal led to the 1779, Sullivan Expedition, which drove the Iroquois out of New York.

 

1777-1780 Butler’s Rangers Officer’s Button

Color: Tarnished Brass Yellow.
Metal: Gilded Sheet Brass Repousse.
Size: 24.5mm. Coat Size.
Present Condition: Heirloom Specimen, The Repousse Remains Strong, Exceptional High Relief Pattern Remains.
Robert’s Notes: This specimen belonged to Colonel Peter Hare who was commissioned as a Captain in Butler’s Rangers on February 8th 1779. His company had 52 men. Peter was born on May 11th 1748 in New York and originally joined the 2nd Battalion of the New York Militia under Colonel Wempell in Captain Mynder’s company. At some point he obviously became a “turncoat” for an unknown reason. He went on to become the superintendent of Canada with his brother John Hare JR. from May 1st 1777, to Dec 24th, 1777. Peter then went on to serve as second Lieutenant in Captain William Caldwell’s company in Butler’s Rangers from December 25th 1777, to October 24th 1778. He became Captain in the Butler’s Rangers on February 8th 1779. I mention these dates to try to tightly date the button. In the winter of 1780, he led his company to Detroit to act as a scout for the garrison and his company took up positions in some Shawnee villages close to the Ohio River.
* Majority of the Officer’s buttons are in Gilded sheet brass and sheet Silver both with Ivory backs. Most likely the reason between the Gold and Silver buttons was to make the distinction between Officers and non-commissioned senior officers like Sergeants to Majors. So, Sergeants buttons appear to be sheet silver repousse over bone back. Several molds were used because there are slight differences in the letters.

 

1777-1780 Butler’s Rangers Enlisted Man’s Pattern

Color: Pewter Grey.
Metal: Pewter W/ Iron Shanks.
Size: 17mm. Cuff Size.
Present Condition: Dug Specimen, The Pewter Planchet Remains Strong, Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Robert’s Notes: The button’s pattern depicts the inscription “BUTLERS / RANGERS” in all capital block letters. All enlisted man’s coat & cuff patterns appear to be pewter with Iron Shanks. There appears to be several molds made with slight difference to the lettering. All enlisted man’s patterns are thought to be made in 1780 or later, but is conjecture and could have been made prior. 

 

 

1777-1780 Butler’s Rangers Enlisted Man’s Pattern

Color: Pewter Grey.
Metal: Pewter W/ Iron Shanks.
Size: 17mm. Cuff Size.
Present Condition: Dug Specimen, The Pewter Planchet Remains Strong, Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Robert’s Notes: This is another Pewter cuff button, but with slightly different cut lettering. The button’s pattern depicts the inscription “BUTLERS / RANGERS” in all capital block letters. All enlisted man’s patterns are thought to be made in 1780 or later, but is conjecture and could have been made prior. 

 

1777-1780 Butler’s Rangers Enlisted Man’s Pattern

Color: Pewter Grey.
Metal: Pewter W/ Iron Shanks.
Size: 24mm. Coat Size.
Present Condition: Dug Specimen, Pewter Planchet Remains Strong, Exceptional High Relief Pattern.
Robert’s Notes: This is the enlisted man’s pewter coat button. The button’s pattern depicts inscription “BUTLERS / RANGERS” in all capital block letters. There appears to be a wide space in the coat variations between Butlers and Rangers. All enlisted man’s coat & cuff patterns appear to be pewter with Iron Shanks. There appears to be several molds made with slight difference to the lettering. All enlisted man’s patterns are thought to be made in 1780 or later, but is conjecture and could have been made prior. 

 

 

Queen’s Loyal Rangers * Jessup’s Kings Loyal Americans
Rodger’s King’s Rangers * MacAlpin’s Corps * Jessup’s Loyal Rangers

    The generic Crown buttons with the word “Rangers” below could have been used by an amalgamation of troops from these Canadian Provincial Loyalist corps most likely after 1781. Specimens have been dug at Fort Haldimand, which was the main British supply base, and the North Hero Island blockhouse site, but otherwise these buttons are rarely found by metal detectorists. There appears to be an Officer’s pattern and Enlisted Men’s pattern that are uniquely similar in nature. The large size officer’s pattern is Silvered Brass is an incised Crown depicting military trophies and standards within a Laurel Wreath circling the outside legend. The word Rangers is incised underneath. The Enlisted man’s pattern uses a very similar motif but in raised pewter. The cuff variant appears to be a raised pattern that is similar in nature to both coat variants. 

The Queen’s Loyal Rangers :

 

Jessup’s King’s Loyal Americans :

 

Rodger’s King’s Rangers :

 

MacAlpin’s Corps:

 

Jessup’s Corps of Loyal Rangers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ~ 1778 South Carolina Royalists ~

*
**
***
****
1780 Officer’s Silver Shoulder Belt Plate.
The Sapling Pine Tree Bears a Ribband Trunk tied
W/ the Latin motto, “SUB REGE FLORESCIT” Meaning,
Under the King it Flourishes,” 2  Ribands Flank the Loblolly
So. Carolina (L) Royalists (R).  Large Georgian Crown Above
Georgius Rex Royal Cipher “GR,” Incised Around the Outer Legend 
is, “HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE,” which is the British Chivalric
Motto for Order of the Garter, “He be Shamed Who thinks Badly of it.”
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

South Carolina Royalists…
 

 

 

Silver Belt Plate, Ensign Justus Earle
4th Battalion, The New Jersey Volunteers

*******   *******   *******

     The New Jersey Volunteers, more commonly known as Skinner’s Corps, or Skinner’s Greens (due to their green wool uniform coats) was a British Provincial military unit of Loyalists. The New Jersey Volunteers were first raised in 1776, by Cortlandt Skinner who was the last acting Royal Attorney General of New Jersey. He was commissioned as a Brigadier General and asked to recruit for several battalions of Loyalists. Initially, he was able to raise 3 battalions in the Province of New York, but increased to 6B, of 500 men each. 

     The New Jersey Volunteers saw their first combat on August 27th 1776, at the Battle of Long Island during the British New York Campaign. The British defeated the American Army, and gained control of the strategically important harbor of New York; in which they would be able to hold on to this for the rest of the war. This was also the first major battle that took place after the new United States declared its independence.  The Battle of Brooklyn Heights would be the largest troop deployment and combat fought battle of the entire Revolutionary War. After the Battle of Long Island they were assigned to the initial British garrison of the occupation army in the City of New York. Skinner’s Greens also conducted regular operations both of the city in Westchester county, which was known as “Neutral Ground.” A kind of lawlessness enveloped the area between Skinner’s Greens and local partisans who resisted control of the area by British military occupation. Both sides gathered intelligence on the other, stole cattle, and looted the countryside. 

 

Neck Stock of the British 35th Regt. of Foot. Arrived in Boston June 12th 1775.
Participated in the Siege of Bunker Hill in Boston. Afterward went on to the New York
Campaign of 1776, to Control the Harbor With N.Y. & N.J. Volunteers.
Battles incl. Long Island, & White Plains. Wintered in Staten Island 1777-1778.

*******   *******   *******

     One Battalion was sent to the British Colony of East Florida, and then went on to assist in the capture of Savannah Georgia. Other’s served in the Battle of King’s Mountain in South Carolina, and then also the last major engagement in the Carolinas, “The Battle of Eutaw Springs,” in which both sides claimed victory. Records also show there was a detachment that participated in the Siege of Yorktown.

     Because there was a lack of recurring recruitment to increase or stabilize the battalion strength ranks there ended up being a reduction and reorganization down into 4 battalions. By July of 1781, the 2nd and 3rd battalion merged and were re-organized into a 3rd, and the existing 3rd went to the 2nd battalion. On September 6th in 1781, the 3rd Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers took part in the raid of New London Connecticut, which was conducted under the overall command of Brigadier General Benedict Arnold. The British were first successful in overrunning Fort Trumbull, and the British then went on to New London to raid and burn much of it to the ground. Other parts of the British Army (Volunteers included) attacked Fort Griswold across the river. Since Arnold had sold military secrets to the British the fleet knew Griswold’s defenses and was able to avoid artillery fire. At the time of the expedition, the harbor in New London was considered the best deep-water harbor on Long Island Sound, and was the base of the American Naval Operations. Afterward, they moved forward to the Battle of Groton Heights. This was Arnold’s attempt at subterfuge. His plan was to destroy the American privateer fleet of ships in the harbor, and their supply of naval goods and stores within the city. This was a cause-and-affect that was intended to divert General Washington and the French Army under Rochambeau from marching on to Yorktown. The British expedition suffered enormous casualties at Fort Griswold before the Americans were forced to surrender. All told, 52 British soldiers were killed with 142 wounded, and 83 New Jersey Volunteer militia were killed with 39 wounded. General Arnold and the Hessian raiding party suffered an equal amount.

 

The Royal Fencible Americans

*******   *******   *******

     The Royal Fencible Americans was a Loyalist Battalion of Light Infantry raised in Boston in 1775, to protect British interests in Nova Scotia by Colonel Joseph Goreham. Goreham had previous experience commanding a regular corps of Rangers during the French and Indian Wars of 1754. When he first raised the Fencibles he took the initiative and ordered special uniforms, buttons with a regimental pattern, and pouch or cap badges from his London agent Alderman Thomas Harley in 1776. Part of the order was later countermanded by Sir William Howe, but some of the order still managed to be shipped including these regimental pattern buttons. The button depicts a raised motif of a Laurel crossed under a Straight Blade Sword with the raised letters, “RFA” in the lower legend. The sergeant’s version appears to be a two-piece version with possibility of a tombac.

 

 Royal Fencible Americans Along W/ Queen’s Rangers, & Loyalist Royal Provincial Buttons

*******   *******   *******

     The RFA’s most notable achievement was the defense of Fort Cumberland during the Eddy rebellion in November of 1776. This would also be the only time it would face combat as a regiment. The Eddy rebellion was an attempt by a small number of militia to bring the American War of Independence to Nova Scotia in the winter of 1776. With approximately 500 militia and minimal logistics support from Massachusetts Jonathan Eddy attempted to besiege and forcefully storm Fort Cumberland. The forts defenders, the Royal Fencible Americans and Royal Marines repelled several attempts by Eddy’s militia to storm the fort and drove off the besiegers. In retaliation, all local Patriot sympathizers who supported the Forts attack had their homes burned and farms destroyed. The successful defense of Fort Cumberland preserved the territorial integrity of the British Maritime possessions, and Nova Scotia remained loyal throughout the war.  

 

Dug on the shoreline of Canada.

 

 

1775-1786 ROYAL FENCIBLE AMERICANS

~ Prince of Wales American Volunteers ~

*******   *******   *******

 The Prince of Wales American Regiment was raised early in 1777, under Colonel Montford Browne who had rendered good service in the early southern campaign of the British. He showed valor in the Battle of Hanging Rock with the defeat of Colonel Sumpter. At its height it reached 10 companies with 33 Officers, about 442 men in total. 

 

 

Loyal Irish Volunteers
*******************************
Massachusetts Militia

* Loyal Irish Volunteers Shoulder Plate *
Dug in Massachusetts
*******   *******   *******

     There appears to have been about at least 80-90 people in this company, maybe more (of course, four or more companies make a Battalion, and two or more Battalions make a Regiment). Pewter buttons or plain white metal buttons were frequently worn by enlisted men, and Officers were known to have Gilded yellow metal or Silver pattern regt. design buttons in small numbered regiments. I believe these 2 buttons were used by commissioned officers I named below of the Loyal Irish Volunteers. My research found this letter for formal formation of the volunteer company. Unfortunately, I haven’t found anyone’s heroics or company stories to note. The important thing is to capture the atmosphere of America’s towns and cities during this era for the calling result of a formation to be assembled in the first place, indicating an underground movement was afoot and British town, city, and state government officials were addressing the situation!

The Loyal Irish Volunteers Formation

Headquarters, Boston, 7th Dec., 1775.

Some Irish merchants residing in town, which their Adherents, having offered their service for the dense of the place, the Commander in Chief has ordered them to be armed, and directs their being formed into a company, and to be called, “The Loyal Irish Volunteers”. 

They will  be distinguished by a White Cockade.

M. James FORREST, captain; 1st Lieuts. William Granville Hoard, John BRANDON,; 2nd Lieuts; John RAMMAGE, Jonathon STERNS, Ralph CUNNINGHAM.

Their guard room and alarm posts to be near Mill Bridge. This company will mount a guard every Evening and Patrol the streets, and will take into custody all Suspicious and Disorderly persons found in the streets at Improper hours. 

The Commissary General will issue Rations and Provisions to this Company accordingly to the returns signed by Captain FORREST. 

Kimberly Orderly book, New York Historical Society Collections 1883, pages 270-271.

 

 

~ Robert’s Guide to Understanding Uniform Supply ~

     On August 2nd 1775, the Earl of Dartmouth ordered the division of North America into “Two separate Command areas.” Quebec, Montreal, and Ontario Canada were under the Command of Governor Sir Guy Carleton. The Canadian Atlantic Provinces including the American Colonies on the Atlantic Seaboard was under the Command of General Gage and his successors. This division had an important impact on the Loyalist Corps raised for the American War of Independence. Each of these two commands represented a different troop establishment and supply system. Meaning, orders and supplies destined for a Loyalist Corps in New York came under a different authority from those Corps serving in Canada. A Corps such as the King’s Royal Regiment of New York was in-spite of its name part of the Canadian establishment under command of General Gage. Meaning in a nut shell, the same uniforms and arms that were sent to New York would not be issued to Governor Carleton in Canada. Colonies such as, Newfoundland and West Florida tended to be semi-autonomous.

 

Post War Table Land Grant Census for the King’s Volunteer Officers

In Late September of 1784, two census were taken of Loyalist troops on the River of Saint John and other settlements. One showing the number of persons for whom provisions had been drawn before the Muster (A) and the other of the number present at the Muster (B) The figures for the Regt. that contained a large portion of New England men are given below. 

Census Table A 

Name of the Regiment                 Men        Women      Children > 10       Children < 10     Servants    Total 

King’s American Dragoon              194            43                   24                            23                     32            316

King’s American regiment              153           47                   79                            22                      44            345 

Prince of Wales A. Volunteers       157            65                   54                             23                     56            355 

Queen’s Rangers                             222            66                   21                            41                     47            397
*                                                    ______________________________________________________________
Totals                                               726          221                 178                          109                    179          1413

 

Census Table B

Name of the Regiment                 Men        Women      Children > 10       Children < 10     Servants    Total 

King’s American Dragoon               143            39                     19                         24                      6            316

King’s American regiment               144           35                      68                         28                    18            345 

Prince of Wales A. Volunteers           5              4                        8                           1                      0            355 

Queen’s Rangers                              210          64                      22                         42                     23           397
*                                                     _____________________________________________________________
Totals                                               502         142                    117                        104                     47         1003  

* The difference in numbers between the two tables is because some of the members of these Provincial Regiments did not settle on the land assigned to them, but scattered to other localities, near or remote.

British Regular Army

    Below is a list of all the British units that fought in the American Revolution between 1775 to 1783. Battles and skirmishes took place in all thirteen colonies against American Rebels and their French, Spanish, and Dutch allies. In addition to the British Regular Army I included German auxiliary units known as, “Hessians.” Unfortunately, there were no battle honors ever awarded to British regiments who fought in American because it was seen by the British as a civil war. I made it really easy for fellow researchers to find out all about any specific regiment by clicking on the regt. of interest. 

Artillery:

• Gunner from the Royal Artillery in Canada, 1777, with uniform adapted to the North American conditions.
• Royal Regiment of Artillery
• Royal Irish Regiment of Artillery

Cavalry

• 16th The Queen’s Lancers a.k.a. the 16th (or The Queen’s) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons
• 17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoon

Foots Guards

• Brigade of Guards (raised from drafts of 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, and 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards)
• 1st Battalion
• 2nd Battalion

Line Infantry

• 1st (Royal) Regiment of Foot
• 3rd Regiment of Foot or “Buffs” and “Royal East Kent Regiment”
• 4th (The King’s Own) (Lancaster) Regiment of Foot
• 5th Regiment of Foot (Royal Northumberland Fusiliers)
• 6th Regiment of Foot (Royal Warwickshire Regiment)
• 7th Regiment of Foot (Royal Fusiliers)
• 8th (The King’s) Regiment of Foot
• 9th Regiment of Foot (East Norfolk Regiment)
• 10th Regiment of Foot (Royal Lincolnshire Regiment)
• 13th Regiment of Foot (Prince Albert’s) (Somerset Light Infantry)
• 14th Regiment of Foot (Prince of Wales’s Own) (West Yorkshire Regiment)
• 15th Regiment of Foot (Sir William Clifton’s Regiment of Foot) (East Yorkshire Regiment)
• 16th Regiment of Foot
• 17th Regiment of Foot
• 18th (or Royal Irish) Regiment of Foot
• 19th Regiment of Foot
• 20th Regiment of Foot
• 21st Regiment of Foot (Royal North British Fusiliers)
• 22nd Regiment of Foot (Cheshire Regiment)
• 23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welch Fusiliers)
• 24th Regiment of Foot
• 26th Regiment of Foot
• 27th (Enniskillen) Regiment of Foot
• 28th Regiment of Foot
• 29th Regiment of Foot
• 30th Regiment of Foot
• 31st Regiment of Foot
• 33rd Regiment of Foot
• 34th Regiment of Foot
• 35th Regiment of Foot
• 37th Regiment of Foot
• 38th Regiment of Foot
• 40th Regiment of Foot
• 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot
• 43rd Regiment of Foot
• 44th Regiment of Foot
• 45th Regiment of Foot
• 46th Regiment of Foot
• 47th Regiment of Foot
• 48th Regiment of Foot
• 49th Regiment of Foot
• 50th Regiment of Foot
• 52nd Regiment of Foot
• 53rd Regiment of Foot
• 54th Regiment of Foot
• 55th Regiment of Foot
• 57th Regiment of Foot
• 59th Regiment of Foot
• 60th (Royal American) Regiment of Foot
• 62nd Regiment of Foot
• 63rd Regiment of Foot
• 64th Regiment of Foot
• 65th Regiment of Foot
• 69th Regiment of Foot
• 70th Regiment of Foot (Glasgow Lowland)
• 71st Regiment of Foot (Frasers Highlanders)
• 74th Regiment of (Highland) Foot
• 76th Regiment of Foot (Macdonald’s Highlanders)
• 79th Regiment of Foot (Royal Liverpool Volunteers)
• 80th Regiment of Foot (Royal Edinburgh Volunteers)
• 82nd Regiment of Foot (1777)
• 83rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Glasgow Volunteers)
• 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants) (Loyalist)
• 105th Regiment of Foot (Loyalist, ex Volunteers of Ireland)
• ?110th Regiment of Foot (ex King’s American Regiment)

Regiments stationed in the West Indies

• 85th Regiment of Foot (Westminster Volunteers)
• 86th Regiment of Foot (Rutland Regiment)
• 87th Regiment of Foot (1779)
• 88th Regiment of Foot (1779)
• 89th Regiment of Foot (1779)
• 90th Regiment of Foot (Yorkshire Volunteers)
• 91st Regiment of Foot (Shropshire Volunteers)
• 92nd Regiment of Foot (1779)
• 93rd Regiment of Foot (1780)
• 94th Regiment of Foot (1780)
• 99th Regiment of Foot (Jamaica Regiment)

H.M. Marine Forces

• 1st Battalion
• 2nd Battalion

American establishment

• 1st American Regiment (formerly the Queen’s Rangers) (1756–1783)
• 2nd American Regiment (formerly the Volunteers of Ireland, placed on British establishment, in 1782, as 105th Regiment of Foot) (1778-1784)
• 3rd American Regiment (formerly the New York Volunteers) (1776-1783)
• 4th American Regiment (formerly the King’s American Regiment, placed on British establishment, in 1782, possibly as the 110th Regiment of Foot) (1776-1783)
• 5th American Regiment (formerly the British Legion, placed on British establishment, in 1782, as Tarleton’s Dragoons) (1777-1782)

American Loyalist units

Provincial Corps

• American Legion (1780-1783)
• American Volunteers (1779-1780)
• Armed Boat Company (1781-1783)
• Black Company of Pioneers (also, known as the Black Pioneers, later merged into the Guides and Pioneers in 1778), (pioneers, another name for military construction engineers) (1777-1778)
• British Legion (placed on American establishment in 1781 as 5th American Regiment) (1777-1778)
• Bucks County Dragoons (absorbed by British Legion in 1780) (1778-1780)
• Butler’s Rangers (1777-1784)
• Caledonian Volunteers (formed part of the British Legion in 1778) (1777-1778)
• Campbell’s Dragoons (South Carolina Dragoons) (1781)
• Canadian Companies (1777-1783)
• Claus’ Rangers^[1][2] (1775-1783)
• Collett’s Independent Company (1777)
• De Lancey’s Brigade (1776-1783)
• Detroit Volunteers (claimed descent from Roger’s Rangers, later became 1st Battalion 119th Field Artillery Regiment, Michigan National Guard) (1778-1783)
• Diemar’s Troop of Black Hussars (also, known as Diemar’s Hussars and Black Hussars, hussars, (light cavalry) (1779-1781)
• Duke of Cumberland’s Regiment (1781-1783)
• Duchess County Company (1776-1777)
• Emmerich’s Chasseurs (chasseurs / light cavalry) (1777-1779)
• Fenwick’s Dragoons (South Carolina Dragoons) (1781)
• Forshner’s Independent Company (1780-1781)
• Georgia Light Dragoons (there was also, a Local Volunteer Corps unit, of the same name) (1779-1781)
• Georgia Loyalists (1779-1782)
• Governor Wentworth’s Volunteers (1777-1781)
• Guides and Pioneers (absorbed the Black Company of Pioneers in 1778) (1778-1783)
• Harkimer’s Batteau Company (1780-1783)
• Hierlihy’s Corps
• James Island Light Dragoons
• King’s American Dragoons
• King’s American Regiment (placed on American establishment, in 1781, as 4th American Regiment, part of the regular, British Army) (1776-1783)
• King’s Rangers
• King’s (Carolina) Rangers
• King’s Orange Rangers
• King’s Royal Regiment of New York
• Kinloch’s Light Dragoons (formed part of the British Legion in 1778)
• Locke’s Independent Company
• Loyal American Rangers (1780-1783)
• Loyal American Regiment
• Loyal Foresters
• Loyal New Englanders
• Loyal Rangers
• Loyal Rhode Islanders
• Maryland Loyalists Battalion
• McAlpin’s Corps (also, known as McAlpin’s Corps of Royalists, absorbed the American Volunteers, King’s Loyal Americans, Queen’s Loyal Rangers, and Adams’ Rangers)
• Nassau Blues
• Newfoundland Regiment (placed on British establishment in 1782)
• New Hampshire Volunteers
• New Jersey Volunteers (Skinner’s Greens)
• Newport Artillery Company (Rhode Island) 1741
• New York Volunteers (placed on American establishment, as 3rd American Regiment in 1779)
• North Carolina Highlanders
• North Carolina Independent Company
• North Carolina Independent Dragoons
• Pennsylvania Loyalists
• Philadelphia Light Dragoons (formed part of the British Legion in 1778)
• Prince of Wales’s American Volunteers
• Provincial Light Infantry
• Queen’s Rangers (placed on American establishment, in 1779, as 1st American Regiment, descended from Roger’s Rangers)
• Roman Catholic Volunteers (1777-1778)
• Royal American Reformers
• Royal Fencible Americans
• Royal Garrison Battalion (placed on British establishment in 178
• Royal Georgia Volunteers
• Royal Highland Emigrants (placed on British establishment in 1779 as 84th Foot)
• Royal Nova Scotia Volunteer Regiment
• Saint John’s Volunteers
• Starkloff’s Dragoons (South Carolina Dragoons) (1781)
• South Carolina Rangers
• South Carolina Royalists
• Stewart’s Troop of Light Dragoons
• Van Alstine’s Batteau Company
• Volunteers of Ireland (absorbed the Roman Catholic Volunteers and New Jersey Volunteers and placed on American establishment, in 1779, as 2nd American Regiment, part of the regular, British Army) (1778-1782)
• Volunteers of New England
• West Florida Royal Foresters
• West Jersey Volunteers

Militia Units

• Charleston Militia (1780-1782)
• Charleston Volunteer Battalion (1780-1782)
• Detroit Militia (1775-1784)
• East Florida Militia (1776-1783)
• Georgia Artillery (1781-1782)
• Georgia Militia (1779-1782)
• German Independent Company, (part of New York City Militia) (1776-?)
• Independent Troop of Black Dragoons (also, known as Black Pioneer Troop) (1782)
• Loyal Commissariat Volunteers (1779-1782)
• Loyal Ordnance Volunteers (1780)
• Loyal Volunteers of the City of New York (also, known as New York City Militia) (1776-1783)
• Massachusetts Militia (1775-1783)
• Massachusetts Volunteers (1777-1783)
• McDonald’s Company of Volunteers (1778)
• Minorca Volunteer Company (part of East Florida Militia) (1777-?)
• New Jersey Militia (1776-1777)
• New York City Militia (1776-1783)
• New York Independent Highland Volunteers (1776-1783)
• New York Marine Artillery Company (1780-1783)
• New York Militia (1776-1783)
• New York Rangers (1776-1783)
• North Carolina Militia (1781-1782)
• Nova Scotia Militia (1775-1784)
• Nova Scotia Volunteer Militia Regiment (1776-1781)
• Quebec City Militia (1775-1783)
• Quebec Militia (1775-1783)
• Saint Johns County Volunteers (1781)
• South Carolina Militia (1775-1782)
• South Carolina Volunteers (1781-1782)
• Westchester Chasseurs (chasseurs (light cavalry) (1777)
• West Florida Militia (1778-1781)

Local Volunteer Corps

• Adams Company of Rangers (also, known as Adams’ Rangers) (1777-1780)
• Bay Fusiliers (also, known as Mosquito Shore Volunteers and Black River Volunteers) (1779-?)
• Bucks County Volunteers (1778-1783)
• Detroit Volunteers (1778-1783)
• Dunlop’s Corps (1780-1781)
• East Florida Rangers (1776-1779)
• East Florida Volunteers (1777-1780)
• Ethiopian Regiment (1775-1776)
• Georgia Light Dragoons (there was also, a Provincial Corps unit, of the same name) (1781-1782)
• Georgia Rangers (1773-1776)
• Georgia Rifle Dragoons (1779)
• King’s Dock Yard Volunteers (1780)
• King’s Loyal Americans (1776-1781)
• Loyal Volunteers of the City of New York, under the command of Mayor David Mathews
• Mackay’s Corps (also, known as Mackay’s Corps of Royalists, Pfister’s Corps of Royalists, and Leake’s Corps of Royalists)(1777-1781)
• Mayor’s Independent Company of Volunteers of New York City under the command of Loyalist Mayor David Mathews
• McAlpin’s Corps of Royalists (also, known as McAlpin’s Corps and American Volunteers) (1777-1781)
• Mosquito Shore Volunteers (also, known as Bay Fusiliers and Black River Volunteers) (1779-?)
• Natchez Volunteers (1781)
• Negro Volunteers (1779)
• Newfoundland Volunteers (1779-1980)
• North Carolina Volunteers (1776)
• Queen’s Loyal Rangers (1777-1781)
• Queen’s Loyal Virginia Regiment (absorbed by Queen’s Rangers in 1776) (1776-1783)
• Queen’s Royal Rangers (1775-1776)
• Rattan and Black River Volunteers (1780-1781)
• Royal Bateaux Volunteers (bateau|batteux) (1779-1781)
• Royal Ethiopian Regiment (disbanded) (1775-1776)
• Virginia Light Horse (1776)
• Virginia Volunteers (1781)
• Volunteers of Augusta (1781-1782)
• West Florida Provincials (1778-1781)
• West Florida Refugees (1777-1781)

Associators and Refugees

• Associated Loyalists (1780-1782)
• Black Brigade^{[3] [4][5]} (Black Loyalists) (1779-1783)
• Brant’s Volunteers (1777-1779)
• De Lancey’s Refugees (1776-1783)
• Hatfield’s Company of Partisans (partisan irregulars) (1779-1782)
• Hazard’s Corps of Refugees (1780-1782)
• James Stewart’s Company of Refugees^[6] (1780-1781)
• King’s Militia Volunteers (1779-1780)
• Loyal American Association (1775-1776)
• Loyal Associated Refugees (1779)
• Loyal Irish Volunteers (1775-1776)
• Loyal Newport Associators (1777-1779)
• Loyal Refugee Volunteers (1779-1782)
• Maryland Royal Retaliators (1780-1781)
• Pepperell’s Corps (1779-?)
• Robins Company of Partisans^[6] (partisan irregulars) (1780-1782?)
• Royal North British Volunteers (1775-1776)
• Sharp’s Refugee Marines^[6] (marines – naval-based infantry force) (1779)
• Uzal Ward’s Company of Refugees^[6] (1780-1783)

West Indian Forces

• Barbados Militia
• Barbadian Rangers (1781-1783)
• Black Carolina Corps
• Grenada Militia (1775-1779)
• Jamaica Corps of Foot (also, known as the Jamaica Corps and Amherst’s Corps) (1781-1783)
• Independent Companies (Jamaica)
• Jamaica Legion (absorbed by Jamaica Volunteers in 1780) (1780)
• Jamaica Light Dragoons (1780-1781)
• Jamaica Militia (1780-1781)
• Jamaica Rangers (1779-1783)
• Jamaica Volunteers (absorbed the Jamaica Legion, after 1780) (1779-1781)
• Turks Island Company (1781-1783)

German Auxiliaries

Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst

• Rauschenplatt’s Princess of Anhalt-Zerbst’s Regiment (2 battalions, 1 infantry in Quebec (1778), and 1 “Pandour” in New York (1780))
• Nuppenau’s Jäger Company
• Company of Artillery

Margrave of Ansbach and Bayreuth

• 1st Regiment Anspach (later Regiment von Volt; 1st Anspach Battalion)
• 2nd Regiment Bayreuth (later Regiment Seybothen; 2nd Anspach Battalion)
• Anspach Jäger Company

Duchy of Brunswick

• Dragoon Regiment Prinz Lüdwig Ernst
• Grenadier Battalion Breymann
• Light Infantry Battalion von Barner
• Musketeer Regiment Riedesel
• Musketeer Regiment Specht
• Regiment Prinz Friedrich
• Regiment von Rhetz
• von Geyso’s Jäger Company

Electorate of Hanover

• 1st Battalion von Reden
• 1st Battalion von Hardenberg
• 1st Battalion la Motte
• 2nd Battalion Prinz Ernst von Mecklenburg
• 2nd Battalion von Goldacker
• 14th Regiment
• 15th Regiment

Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel)

• Combined Regiment von Loos
• Fusilier Regiment von Dittfurth
• Fusilier Regiment Erbprinz (later Musketeer Regiment (1780))
• Fusilier Regiment von Knyphausen
• Fusilier Regiment von Lossburg
• Grenadier Regiment von Rall (later von Woellwarth (1777); von Trümbach (1779); d’Angelelli (1781))
  • 1st Battalion Grenadiers von Linsing
  • 2nd Battalion Grenadiers von Block (later von Lengerke)
  • 3rd Battalion Grenadiers von Minnigerode (later von Loewenstein)
  • 4th Battalion Grenadiers von Koehler (later von Graff; von Platte)
• Garrison Regiment von Bünau
• Garrison Regiment von Huyne (later von Benning)
• Garrison Regiment von Stein (later von Seitz; von Porbeck)
• Garrison Regiment von Wissenbach (later von Knoblauch)
• Jäger Corps
• Leib Infantry Regiment
• Musketeer Regiment von Donop
• Musketeer Regiment von Trümbach (later Von Bose (1779))
• Musketeer Regiment von Mirbach (later Jung von Lossburg (1780))
• Musketeer Regiment Prinz Carl
• Musketeer Regiment von Wutginau (later Landgraf (1777))

County of Hesse-Hanau

• Janecke’s Frei Corps of Light Infantry
• Musketeer Regiment Erbprinz
• Creuzbourg’s Jäger Corps
• Pausch’s Company of Artillery

Principality of Waldeck

• 3rd Waldeck Regiment

 

 1778-1783 Royal Edinburg Volunteers Buckle
*******   *******   *******

 

 

UNIDENTIFIED LOYALIST BUTTON SECTION

 

 

1780’s-1815 ENGLISH YEOMANRY CAVALRY/VOLUNTEER HORSE TROOPs

Color: Rusty Brown W/ Gilt Highlights.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Brass.

Size: 18mm. 
Cuff Button
Type: Volunteers
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Good Planchet Condition Remains, A Good High Relief Pattern Remains.

Isabela’s Notes: This is an English Yeomanry Cavalry / Volunteer Horse Troop button.  Made by William Williams, London between 1794 and 1802 (1794 is the earliest this button could have been made as 1794 was the year that Pitt’s Volunteer act, establishing the Yeomanry was passed-by the end of 1794, there were 32 units established. The motto ‘Liberty, Loyalty, Property’ originated with the Yeomanry movement and is seen on other Yeoman Cavalry buttons and medals. The motto applied to the Volunteer Yeomanry (mounted cavalry) units which were raised to protect the lives and property of the homeland whilst the regular army were occupied overseas.

Most of the buttons have letters ending in C for cavalry but there are a few with the letter V for Volunteers, the the NYV could stand for one of the English counties. It does not match buttons for Norfolk which uses NY over C, or Northamptonshire.  But it could be an earlier version than they have posted, or even a more little know Volunteer Cavalry Troop raised in a smaller locale.

Rob’s Notes: Yeomanry

On 24th March 1794 the government of Mr Pitt, threatened with invasion of the country by the French Revolutionary army, passed a bill which invited the Lords Lieutenant of Counties to raise volunteer troops of cavalry to be composed of gentlemen and yeomanry. In those days the delineation between classes was clear, and yeomen, although respectable, were just below the rank of gentlemen. They were country people who farmed land as freeholders or tenant farmers.

Apart from the regular regiments of Foot and Horse, there was already the militia, which had existed since the mid-17th century but they were recruited from the lower strata of the class structure and considered to be unreliable. There was a need for well-disciplined and intelligent men to protect every county in Britain, not just from sea invasion but from French spies and those Britons who were sympathetic to the revolutionary cause. There had been mounted units formed in previous emergencies such as the Jacobite invasion from Scotland in 1745 but the scale of response in 1794 was far greater. By the end of 1794 there were 32 yeomanry corps in existence and by 1801 there were 21,000 officers and men.

The yeomen provided their own horse and uniform but the government provided the arms and ammunition. Being mounted they were highly mobile and could respond to any alarm with speed. They were organized in Troops which were based at the main towns of the county and would operate independently from each other. Actually, the only time that a unit was faced with French invasion was in February 1797 at Fishguard in Pembrokeshire. For their part in apprehending the enemy, the Castlemartin Yeomanry were granted the only yeomanry battle honour of the Napoleonic Wars.

 

 

1794-1802 ROYAL CANADIAN VOLUNTEERS

Color: A Pewter Grayish W/ Orange Undertones.
Metal: Slightly Convex, 1-Piece, High Relief Design, Cast Pewter.
Size: 14mm.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Variation: 
Robert’s Notes: This button has nothing to do with the American Revolution. The battalions were in upper and lower Canada post war. 
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact.

Library Records Has Limited Information on BCL-16:
History:               Yes     Recorded Sales Price:    no
Current Button Owner and Location:     ~ Yes ~

 

 

1780’s-1815 SCOTTISH VOLUNTEERS BUTTON

?

Color: Golden Ochre Brown.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Brass.

Size: 14mm. 
Cuff Button
Type: Non Military
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Fair Planchet Condition, A Fair High Relief Pattern Remains.

Isabela’s Notes: The pattern and the provenance was listed by Early American Auctions as Great Britain Rev. War Volunteers button. I am unable to determine a date or use range, but I would say 1780 forward is my best guess.  When I examined the crown I noted a Scottish Saint Andrews Cross in the center. So, without any further evidence I would have to say that it has Scottish roots, and made with a mold instead of manufactured. Since no other specimens have been reported or surfaced, it is tough to be certain. The auction house also noted it was dug in New York. The sale listing also noted there is an “RP” for Royal Provincials somewhere on the button, but I fail to detect it. So, i cannot confirm it was a Revolutionary War era volunteers’ button, but am fascinated by the decorative shield and crown. Most buttons with English crowns in this era usually have either a heart, rose, & cross or a combination of all three. It wasn’t until later 1812 when the crown style changed with new Royal Navy mandates. Next, the button’s pattern depicts a high relief shield with a double outline. This has me thinking that the outer outline is actually the Broad Arrow indicating English military ownership. Most likely an indication of unit’s designation within the shield. This is pure speculation on my part and hopefully one day I will find concrete evidence. The shield  contains the initials, ” T*L over a V “. There is a high relief  Crown surmounting the shield with a St. Andrews Cross in the center flanked by Two Catholic Crosses. The pattern is set on a plain flat field with no edge raised border. 

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. The surface is coarse, and has green encrustations.



Library Records Has Limited Information on BCL-16:

History:     Yes                 Recorded Sales Price:     Yes

Current Button Owner and Location:                    No

Dug in New York State. 

 

1795-1800 SALISBURY VOLUNTEER INFANTRY BUTTON

?

Color: Coppery Brown.

Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Brass.

Size: 19mm. 
Coat Button.
Type: Volunteer Infantry.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Good Planchet Condition, A Good High Relief Pattern Remains.

Isabela’s Notes:  I am  not able to determine a date or use range exactly, but I would say 1790 to 1815. The button’s pattern depicts a small Decorative Crown with high relief Stipples, Three Inverted Diamonds, and Six Crosses. Directly under is three large initials, “LVI” in high relief calligraphy. The pattern is set on a plain field with no raised edge border. 

Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is broken off.

Library Records Has Limited Information on BCL-17:

History:                 Yes        Recorded Sales Price:     Yes

Current Button Owner and Location:                      No

 

 

 

 

1793-1815 LOYALIST WITH CROWN & IRISH HARP

Color: Brown & Green With Gilt Highlights .
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design with Raised Lettering, Silvered Copper.
Size: 23mm.
TYPE: Non Military
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong Pattern Remains.
Robert’s Notes: This button was advertised and sold as a Revolutionary War Irish Loyalist Button; but I believe this was made Post Rev. War and geared toward Irish Loyalists to show their support for the King of England in the war with France. This is very similar to the King and Constitution Irish button I have in that section. The button’s pattern depicts a Small Ornate Crown surmounting the top of a medium size Decorative Irish Harp. The front of the harp is adorned by a Female Angel Figure. Flanking each side of the harp is a Rose Stem and Thistle Stem on a lined field. Circling the inner pattern is a Reeded Stipple Ring. This button’s pattern represents England and Ireland united under the rule of the King of England.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original and intact, but crushed inward. GILT with a Wreath design is stamped.

Library Records Has Limited Information on LLTK-6-B:
History:        Yes       Recorded Sales Price:                   Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:     ~ Canada ~

 

 

1775 & 1776 Actual Maps of Long Island NY & Boston Continental Army Positions

 

Thanks to Brian Rollinson for providing Quebec Militia Plate and Queen’s Ranger Button Pictures.
Please visit his site at: www.facebook.com/RollasonWarof1812