19th Continental Regiment

The 19th Continental Regiment was an infantry regiment of the Connecticut Line in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. It belonged to the Continental Army's 1776 establishment and was a successor to Webb's Connecticut Regiment, which had served in the army's 1775 establishment and was also known as the 7th Connecticut Provincial Regiment. The unit continued under the command of Colonel Charles Webb. The regiment formed part of the American force operating in the New York and New Jersey theater during the second half of 1776. It was present on the lines during the Battle of Long Island but did not engage in the fighting there. It subsequently took part in the Battle of White Plains, one of the major actions of the New York campaign, before withdrawing with George Washington's army across New Jersey and into Pennsylvania late in the year. The regiment later participated in the Battle of Trenton. Although the enlistments of some soldiers were expiring, a number of them remained in service beyond their original terms. Those men continued to serve with Washington's army during the Battle of the Assunpink Creek and the Battle of Princeton in early January 1777. Their continued service helped sustain the Continental force during a difficult period marked by expiring enlistments, retreats, and urgent efforts to maintain the army's position in New Jersey. The regiment did not remain a separate organization for long. In the Continental Army reorganization carried out at the end of 1776, it was redesignated as the 2nd Connecticut Regiment. The 19th Continental Regiment is therefore best understood as a wartime organizational designation within the evolving Connecticut Line rather than as a modern brand or commercial entity. Its historical significance lies in its participation in the New York and New Jersey campaign and in the continuity between Connecticut's provincial and Continental military formations.

The 19th Continental Regiment emerged from Connecticut's Revolutionary War military organization and belonged to the Continental Army's 1776 establishment. Its immediate predecessor was Webb's Connecticut Regiment, a formation associated with the 1775 establishment and also identified as the 7th Connecticut Provincial Regiment. The transition reflected the Continental Army's broader effort to organize the forces raised by the individual colonies into a unified army. The regiment remained under Colonel Charles Webb, who had commanded its predecessor. As part of the Connecticut Line, it operated in the main American army commanded by George Washington. Its service was concentrated in the New York and New Jersey theater, where the Continental Army faced British and German forces during the campaign of 1776. During the Battle of Long Island, the regiment was on the lines but did not take part in the principal fighting. The American defeat at Long Island forced Washington to evacuate his army from Long Island and New York. The regiment subsequently participated in the Battle of White Plains, fought in Westchester County in October 1776. After the American position deteriorated, it retreated with Washington's army through New Jersey and toward Pennsylvania late in the year. The campaign placed severe pressure on the Continental Army. Many soldiers were serving under enlistments that were close to expiration, and the army's survival depended in part on persuading men to remain in service. The 19th Continental Regiment took part in the Battle of Trenton after Washington crossed the Delaware River and attacked the Hessian garrison on December 26, 1776. Some members of the regiment chose to overstay their enlistments rather than leave the army at the end of their terms. These soldiers remained with the army for further operations in New Jersey. The men who continued serving saw action at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek and the Battle of Princeton in early January 1777. These engagements formed part of Washington's counteroffensive in New Jersey, which improved American morale and disrupted British efforts to consolidate their gains after the New York campaign. At the end of 1776, the Continental Army underwent a major reorganization. As part of that process, the 19th Continental Regiment was redesignated as the 2nd Connecticut Regiment. The regiment consequently ceased to exist as a separate numbered organization, although its personnel and institutional continuity continued through the reorganized Connecticut unit. Its record illustrates the fluid nature of Continental Army regimental designations during the first years of the Revolutionary War, when units were repeatedly raised, redesignated, consolidated, and reorganized in response to changing military requirements.

• 1777

  Continuing soldiers fight at Assunpink Creek and Princeton

  [1]19th Continental Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  Some soldiers who remained beyond their enlistment terms participated in the actions at the Assunpink Creek and Princeton in early January.

• 1776

  19th Continental Regiment established

  [1]19th Continental Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The regiment became part of the Connecticut Line under the Continental Army's 1776 establishment and continued under Colonel Charles Webb.

• 1776

  Service in the New York campaign

  [1]19th Continental Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The regiment was on the lines during the Battle of Long Island, did not fight in that battle, and later saw action at White Plains before retreating with Washington's army.

• 1776

  Participation in the Battle of Trenton

  [1]19th Continental Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The regiment took part in the Continental Army's attack at Trenton during Washington's New Jersey campaign.

• 1776

  Redesignated as the 2nd Connecticut Regiment

  [1]19th Continental Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The Continental Army's end-of-year reorganization converted the 19th Continental Regiment into the 2nd Connecticut Regiment.

• 1775

  Predecessor organized as Webb's Connecticut Regiment

  [1]19th Continental Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  Webb's Connecticut Regiment, also known as the 7th Connecticut Provincial Regiment, served as the predecessor formation to the later 19th Continental Regiment.

A historical Continental Army infantry regiment representing Connecticut during the American Revolutionary War.

• 1777Assunpink Creek and Princeton operations

  New Jersey

  Some members who extended their service beyond their enlistment terms remained with the army for the fighting at Assunpink Creek and Princeton in early January.

  Outcome. The operations helped Washington retain the initiative in New Jersey and contributed to the American recovery after the setbacks of the New York campaign.

  Source
• 1776New York and New Jersey campaign

  New York · New Jersey · Pennsylvania

  The regiment served with Washington's army during the campaign that began with the British advance against New York and continued through the American retreat across New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. It was present at Long Island, fought at White Plains, and later participated in the operations around Trenton.

  Outcome. The campaign ended with the Continental Army retreating from New York but recovering momentum through the victories at Trenton and Princeton.

  Source
• 1776Battle of Trenton

  New Jersey

  The 19th Continental Regiment participated in Washington's December 26 attack on the Hessian garrison at Trenton after the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River.

  Outcome. The American victory captured the garrison and provided an important morale boost during a period of military crisis.

  Source

• 1776

  Continental Army reorganizationStrategy

  Background

  The Continental Army reorganized its regiments at the end of 1776 as part of an effort to maintain and standardize the force during the Revolutionary War.

  Action taken

  The 19th Continental Regiment was redesignated as the 2nd Connecticut Regiment.

  Aftermath

  The 19th Continental Regiment ended as a separate designation, while its organizational and personnel continuity continued through the 2nd Connecticut Regiment.

  Source

1. 119th Continental Regimenten.wikipedia.org