Knowlton's Rangers facts for kids

The "1776" on the United States Army Intelligence Service seal refers to the formation of Knowlton's Rangers

Knowlton's Rangers was a special group of soldiers during the American Revolutionary War. They were like the eyes and ears of the Continental Army, helping George Washington gather secret information. This unit was named after its brave leader, Thomas Knowlton, and was formed in 1776.

The Rangers' Story: Spies and Soldiers

On August 12, 1776, General George Washington gave Thomas Knowlton a big promotion. He became a lieutenant colonel. Washington asked him to pick 130 soldiers and 20 officers. These men came from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Their main job was to go on secret missions to find out what the British army was doing.

One very famous American spy, Captain Nathan Hale, was part of Knowlton's team. Besides gathering important information, Knowlton's Rangers also fought in battles. They were trained as light infantry, which means they were fast and good at moving quickly. Because of their special skills, many people see Knowlton's Rangers as the first version of today's special forces. Think of groups like the Army Rangers or Delta Force.

Fighting at Harlem Heights

On September 16, 1776, Knowlton's Rangers were scouting ahead of Washington's army. They were near Harlem Heights in New York. They ran into some British soldiers and had a small fight. The Rangers were smart and managed to pull back safely.

Later, they launched a surprise attack with help from other American soldiers. General Washington wanted Knowlton to attack the British from behind. This would distract the British while other American troops attacked from the front. However, the Rangers accidentally attacked the British from the side instead.

Even though they lost the element of surprise, Knowlton bravely led his men forward. Sadly, he was badly wounded during the fight and died. Another officer, Major Andrew Leitch, was also hurt and passed away a few days later. General Washington was very sad about Knowlton's death. He said Knowlton "would have been an Honor to any Country." Captain Stephen Brown then took command of the Rangers.

The Battle of Fort Washington

Knowlton's Rangers were also part of the soldiers defending Fort Washington. This fort was the last place the Continental Army held in Manhattan. On November 16, 1776, the American troops at Fort Washington were surrounded by a much larger British force. They had to surrender. Many of the American soldiers, including some of Knowlton's Rangers, were taken as prisoners of war.

A Lasting Legacy

Knowlton's Rangers are remembered as America's very first organized spy group. They were also the first American Ranger unit created after the United States declared its freedom from the United Kingdom. The year "1776" on the modern U.S. Army intelligence seal is there because of when Knowlton's Rangers were formed.

There's even a group at Pennsylvania State University called the Order of Knowlton's Rangers. They help people learn about the history and traditions of this important unit.