10th Continental Regiment

The 10th Continental Regiment was a Connecticut regiment in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. It belonged to the 1776 establishment of the Continental Army and developed from Parson's Connecticut Regiment, also known as the 6th Connecticut Provincial Regiment, which had served under the 1775 establishment. The unit was associated with Connecticut's contribution to the revolutionary army and was organized for service against British forces in the northern theater. The regiment was initially commanded by Samuel Holden Parsons, a Connecticut officer who had led the earlier provincial formation. Its first major operational setting was the Siege of Boston, where American forces sought to compel the British garrison to evacuate the town. After the British withdrawal from Boston, the regiment took part in preparations for the defense of New York City as the war moved to the strategically important Hudson and New York theaters. In August 1776, Parsons was promoted to brigadier general. Command of the regiment then passed to John Tyler, who was promoted to colonel at the same time. Under Tyler, the regiment participated in the Battle of Long Island, fought on August 27, 1776, during the British campaign to seize New York. The American defeat led to a hurried withdrawal from Long Island and a broader retreat through Manhattan. The regiment was involved in the confused retreat that followed the British landing on Manhattan. The 10th Continental Regiment was present with the Continental Army at White Plains, New York, in October 1776, although it did not take part in the Battle of White Plains itself. After this period of campaigning, the regiment was assigned to guard duty at Peekskill, New York, an important position on the Hudson River and a logistical point for the American war effort. It remained there until the end of 1776, when the regiment was disbanded as part of the reorganization of the Continental Army. Because it was a military unit rather than a commercial brand, the regiment had no consumer products, commercial offerings, corporate owner, or modern market presence. Its historical significance lies in its role as a short-lived Connecticut formation that served in the Continental Army's campaigns around Boston and New York during the opening year of the Revolutionary War.

The 10th Continental Regiment was created within the Continental Army's 1776 establishment and represented the continuation of an earlier Connecticut formation. Its predecessor was Parson's Connecticut Regiment, also identified as the 6th Connecticut Provincial Regiment, which had served under the Continental Army's 1775 establishment. The regiment formed part of the military structure created by the revolutionary governments to place the colonies' wartime forces under a common Continental organization. Samuel Holden Parsons commanded the regiment during its early service. The unit was first active during the Siege of Boston, the opening major operation of the Revolutionary War in New England. American forces had surrounded the British garrison in Boston, and Connecticut troops formed part of the wider army maintaining the siege. After British forces evacuated Boston, the strategic center of the war shifted toward New York, where control of the harbor, waterways, and surrounding approaches was considered essential by both sides. The regiment subsequently participated in preparations for the defense of New York City. In August 1776, Parsons received promotion to brigadier general and left command of the regiment. John Tyler succeeded him and was promoted to colonel at that time. The change occurred just as the British campaign against New York was placing severe pressure on the Continental Army. The regiment fought at the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776. The battle ended in a major British victory and forced the Continental Army to withdraw from Long Island. In the aftermath, American units carried out a confused and hurried retreat as British forces landed on Manhattan and expanded their control of the area. The 10th Continental Regiment was part of this panicked retreat after the British landing on Manhattan. Although the regiment was with the Continental Army at White Plains, New York, in October 1776, it did not participate in the battle fought there. Following the New York campaigning, the regiment was assigned to guard duty at Peekskill, a strategically important post on the Hudson River. It remained at Peekskill for the remainder of the year rather than continuing as a separate field regiment in the following campaign cycle. At the end of 1776, the 10th Continental Regiment was disbanded. Its short existence reflects the frequent reorganization of Continental Army units during the first years of the war, when enlistment terms, state quotas, battlefield losses, and changing military requirements led to repeated changes in regimental composition. The unit is therefore best understood as a historical military formation, not as a continuing institution or commercial identity.

1. 177610th Continental Regiment enters the Continental Army establishment

   The regiment was organized as part of the Continental Army's 1776 establishment and was commanded initially by Samuel Holden Parsons.

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2. 1776Service during the Siege of Boston and New York preparations

   The regiment was first active during the Siege of Boston and later helped prepare the defenses of New York City.

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3. 1776Command passes from Parsons to Tyler

   After Samuel Holden Parsons was promoted to brigadier general in August, John Tyler assumed command and was promoted to colonel.

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4. 1776Battle of Long Island

   The regiment fought in the Battle of Long Island during the British campaign to capture New York.

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5. 1776Retreat after the British landing on Manhattan

   Following the British landing on Manhattan, the regiment was part of the Continental Army's panicked retreat.

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6. 1776Guard duty at Peekskill

   The regiment was stationed at Peekskill, New York, where it performed guard duty for the remainder of the year.

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7. 1776Disbandment

   The 10th Continental Regiment was disbanded at the end of 1776.

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8. 1775Predecessor regiment serves under the 1775 establishment

   Parson's Connecticut Regiment, also known as the 6th Connecticut Provincial Regiment, served as the predecessor formation of the later 10th Continental Regiment.

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Historical military unit; not a commercial brand.

• 1776New York campaign

  New York City · Long Island · Manhattan · White Plains · Peekskill

  The regiment helped prepare New York's defenses, fought at Long Island, participated in the retreat following the British landing on Manhattan, and later served at Peekskill.

  Outcome. The Continental Army lost New York City and surrounding positions, while the regiment ended the year on guard duty before being disbanded.

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• 1775Siege of Boston

  Boston · Massachusetts

  The regiment's predecessor and associated Connecticut formation served during the American siege of Boston, in which Continental and colonial forces surrounded the British garrison.

  Outcome. The British evacuated Boston in 1776, after which the regiment's operational focus shifted toward New York.

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• 1776Reorganization into the 1776 establishmentOther

  The Continental Army reorganized its units for the 1776 campaign, with the earlier Parson's Connecticut Regiment continuing as the 10th Continental Regiment.

  What changed. The regiment was placed within the 1776 Continental Army establishment.

  Aftermath. It served in the Boston and New York theaters before being disbanded at the end of 1776.

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• 1776Transfer to Peekskill guard dutyOther

  After the New York campaign, the Continental Army required units to protect important positions along the Hudson River.

  What changed. The regiment was assigned to guard duty at Peekskill, New York.

  Aftermath. It remained at Peekskill until the regiment was disbanded at the end of the year.

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1. 10th Continental Regiment
2. The Record of Connecticut Men in the Military and Naval Service During the War of the Revolution, 1775-1783