2nd Pennsylvania Regiment
| 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1775–1783 |
| Allegiance |
 Second Continental Congress
|
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | http://www.243regiment.com/pabacks.gif |
| Part of | Pennsylvania Line |
| Nickname(s) | Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion |
| Colors | Uniform: blue faced and lined with red, with the letters P S R on the white pewter buttons |
| Engagements |
Battle of Long Island (1776) Battle of Valcour Island (1776) Battle of Trenton (1776) Battle of Brandywine (1777) Battle of Germantown (1777) Battle of Monmouth (1778) Battle of Stony Point (1779) Battle of Springfield (1780) Battle of Green Spring (1781) Siege of Yorktown (1781) |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Colonel John Bull Colonel John Philip De Haas Colonel James Irvine Colonel Henry Bicker Colonel Walter Stewart |
The 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, also known as The 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, was raised, October 12, 1775, under the command of Colonel
John Bull for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action during the Battles of Brooklyn, Valcour Island, Trenton, the Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and Springfield. The regiment was furloughed June 11, 1783, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and disbanded on November 15, 1783.
In January, 1776, the regiment took part in Benedict Arnold's failed to capture Quebec. With little to no winter clothing and half their muskets not in workable condition , the men struggled into Canada, their strength reduced by sickness. By March 30, four of the companies had arrived at the American lines near Quebec, but before the remainder could come up the attack was abandoned and the battalion started the retreat back to New York. The Regiment was encamped with the American Army at Fort Ticonderoga. In October it participated in Anthony Wayne's defeat of the British at Valcour Island. It remained at Ticonderoga until November 13 to await the arrival of replacement troops. By December 8 a remnant of the First Battalion was at New Germantown, NJ, but most of the men had been mustered out of service.
During this time, Congress realized a more substantial national army with enlistments longer than 12 months would be needed to fight the war successfully. Pennsylvania was assigned to provide 12 of these "Continental" regiments and decided to use the battalions created in 1775 as the foundation for the state's quota. Thus, the Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion, being the first unit formed by the state, became the First Pennsylvania Regiment, The First Pennsylvania Battalion became the nucleus of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment.
The regiment spent the winter months at Morristown, NJ, where it built up strength and was placed in Gen. Anthony Wayne's Division. Col. Henry Bicker was appointed to lead the regiment but did not actually join until the following October. In the meantime, the regiment was commanded by the senior officer present for duty, Major William Williams.
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Wikipedia