Richmond's Regiment facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richmond's Regiment
Active	1775-1777
Country	United States
Allegiance	Rhode Island
Type	Infantry
Part of	Eastern Department, Continental Army
Commanders
Notable commanders	Colonel William Richmond Lt. Col. Caleb Gardner

Richmond's Regiment was a group of soldiers from Rhode Island. They were formed in November 1775 during the American Revolution. Their main job was to protect Rhode Island from attacks by the British army.

History of Richmond's Regiment

Forming the Regiment

The idea for Richmond's Regiment came from the Rhode Island General Assembly on October 31, 1775. The regiment was officially put together in November. It started with eight groups of soldiers, called companies. Colonel William Richmond was in charge, and the group was named after him.

Defending Rhode Island

By December 22, the regiment was stationed on Aquidneck Island. This island was important because it had the port city of Newport. The soldiers worked on building defenses to protect Newport from a possible British invasion. In January 1776, the regiment grew from eight companies to twelve.

Firing on British Ships

In April 1776, soldiers from the regiment built a dirt fort at Brenton's Point. Today, this spot is where Fort Adams is located. From this fort, they fired cannons at British warships. These ships were blocking Newport harbor. The regiment fired on them four times between April 6 and April 14.

Joining the Continental Army

In May 1776, Richmond's Regiment officially became part of the Continental Army. This was the main army of the American colonies. Later that year, in September, General George Washington ordered the regiment to go to Long Island in New York.

Helping a Founding Father

On October 28, 1776, the regiment was in Mastic, New York on Long Island. They helped William Floyd and his family escape. William Floyd was a delegate to the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence. The regiment helped his family get safely from Long Island to Connecticut.

Battle at Brookhaven

Richmond's Regiment worked with New York soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Henry B. Livingston. They launched an attack from the water at Brookhaven, New York. During this attack, they captured 23 soldiers from Oliver DeLancy's Loyalist Brigade. Loyalists were Americans who supported the British. The regiment also captured Captain Jacob Smith, their leader. In this fight, the Loyalists lost six soldiers and had others wounded. Richmond's Regiment had one soldier killed and five wounded.

End of Service

The first eight companies of Richmond's Regiment were sent home on November 6. This happened at New London, Connecticut, after they returned from Long Island. The regiment's artillery company, which used cannons, was sent home on December 1.

The four remaining companies went to Newport to help Colonel John Cooke's Rhode Island militia. In December 1776, a large force of British and Hessian soldiers invaded Newport. The few American defenders had to retreat to the mainland.

The last four companies of Richmond's Regiment were sent home in January 1777. Their time of service had ended.

Leaders of the Regiment

• Colonel William Richmond: He led the regiment from October 1775.
• Lieutenant Colonel Gideon Hoxie: He also served from October 1775.
• Major Benjamin Tallman: He was a major from November 1775 to January 1776. He later became a colonel in December 1776.
• Major Caleb Gardner: He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in August 1776.