1st Pennsylvania Regiment
The 1st Pennsylvania Regiment was a Pennsylvania rifle unit that served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The 1st Pennsylvania Regiment was a military unit of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. It was initially organized in 1775 as the 1st Pennsylvania Rifles, also called the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, and was later known as the 1st Continental Line or 1st Continental Regiment. The regiment was raised in response to the Continental Congress resolution of June 14, 1775, which authorized ten companies of expert riflemen for one-year service. Pennsylvania was originally assigned six companies, but the enthusiasm of frontier communities led the colony's quota to increase to eight companies on June 22. A ninth company was added on July 11, and the completed formation ultimately contained thirteen companies. Colonel William Thompson commanded the regiment during its early organization. Its companies were drawn from several Pennsylvania communities and included Scotch-Irish, German, Welsh, Manx, Free Quaker, English Whig, German-American, and Dutch-American soldiers. Seven companies were recruited largely from Lancaster County, while two others came primarily from Berks and Northampton counties. The unit was sent to join George Washington's army around Boston, where its riflemen were employed as light infantry and later as a specialized reserve force. The regiment's defining military characteristic was its use of the long rifle. Compared with the smoothbore muskets common among British and Continental troops, the rifle offered substantially greater range and accuracy, but it fired more slowly, carried a lighter projectile, and generally lacked a bayonet. These qualities made the regiment particularly useful for skirmishing, sharpshooting, reconnaissance, and dispersed actions, but less suitable for conventional close-order line combat. Contemporary observer James Thacher described the riflemen as physically robust and highly accurate marksmen, reporting that they could strike small targets at distances well beyond the effective range of ordinary muskets. The regiment served in the New York and New Jersey campaign and fought at Trenton, Assunpink Creek, and Princeton. Two companies, commanded by Captains William Hendricks and Matthew Smith, accompanied Benedict Arnold's 1775 expedition to Quebec and were captured during the Battle of Quebec. In the Philadelphia campaign of 1777, the regiment fought at Brandywine, where Colonel James Chambers led it in the 1st Pennsylvania Brigade under Colonel Thomas Hartley. It occupied the division's exposed right flank near Chadds Ford, a position described as the post of honor. At Germantown, it served with the 2nd, 7th, and 10th Pennsylvania Regiments on the division's extreme right. It also participated in the action at Matson's Ford in December 1777. The unit continued its service after the Philadelphia campaign, fighting at Monmouth in 1778 and Springfield in 1780. Its clothing changed during the war. Early descriptions associate the regiment with green hunting shirts, black caps, and white trim, while officers wore green coats with red facings. Blue coats with red facings were later issued, including during the period around the Battle of Boston and the standardization associated with Valley Forge, although many riflemen continued to wear hunting shirts for much of the war. The regiment was furloughed in Philadelphia on June 11, 1783, and formally disbanded on November 15, 1783. It therefore has no continuing commercial operation, product portfolio, corporate ownership, or present-day headquarters. A company of the modern United States Army's 337th Engineer Battalion claims lineage from Captain Michael Doudeis's company of York, Pennsylvania, but that claimed lineage does not make the historic regiment an active organization.
History
The regiment emerged during the rapid expansion of the Continental Army in 1775. Congress called for companies of expert riflemen, and Pennsylvania exceeded its original allocation because of strong enlistment among frontier communities. The resulting formation was first identified as the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment or 1st Pennsylvania Rifles. Its companies represented a diverse cross-section of colonial Pennsylvania, including communities of Scotch-Irish, German, Welsh, Manx, Quaker, English, Dutch, and German-American background. Under Colonel William Thompson, the regiment joined Washington's forces at Boston. Its long rifles gave it an advantage in precision and range, but the weapons' slow loading and lack of bayonets limited their usefulness in standard linear engagements. The regiment was consequently used as light infantry, skirmishers, and a reserve capable of supporting exposed sectors. Its reputation rested on the marksmanship of its soldiers, who were described by contemporary observers as hardy and exceptionally accurate. The regiment's early wartime service included the New York and New Jersey campaign. It participated in the operations associated with Trenton, Assunpink Creek, and Princeton. Two of its companies joined Arnold's expedition toward Quebec in 1775 and were captured at the Battle of Quebec. The main body remained part of Washington's army and continued to operate in the principal theaters of the war. During the 1777 Philadelphia campaign, the regiment was commanded by James Chambers at Brandywine and served in the brigade led by Thomas Hartley. Under the wider direction of Anthony Wayne, it held the exposed right flank near Chadds Ford. At Germantown, the unit was grouped with the 2nd, 7th, and 10th Pennsylvania Regiments and again placed on the far right of the division. It also fought at Matson's Ford in December of that year. In 1777, Robert Blackwell became the regiment's chaplain and surgeon, although the available account notes that he had no medical experience. The regiment later fought at Monmouth in 1778 and Springfield in 1780. Uniform descriptions changed over time: early riflemen wore green hunting shirts and black caps, while later regulations and issue clothing included blue coats with red facings. Many enlisted riflemen nevertheless continued wearing hunting shirts through the end of the war. The unit was furloughed at Philadelphia on June 11, 1783, after the conclusion of active operations, and disbanded on November 15, 1783. A company in the modern 337th Engineer Battalion claims a lineage connection to Captain Michael Doudeis's company from York, Pennsylvania. The historic regiment itself, however, is defunct and should be treated as a Revolutionary War military formation rather than as a present-day brand or commercial entity.
- 1783
Furlough and dissolution
[1]The regiment was furloughed in Philadelphia on June 11 and disbanded on November 15.
- 1780
Battle of Springfield
[1]The unit took part in the Battle of Springfield.
- 1778
Battle of Monmouth
[1]The regiment participated in the Battle of Monmouth during the Continental Army's operations in New Jersey.
- 1777
Philadelphia campaign operations
[1]The regiment fought at Brandywine, Germantown, and Matson's Ford during the 1777 campaign in Pennsylvania.
- 1775
Congress authorizes Continental rifle companies
[1]A June 14 Congressional resolution authorized ten companies of expert riflemen for one-year Continental Army service, including a quota assigned to Pennsylvania.
- 1775
Pennsylvania expands the regiment
[1]Pennsylvania's allocation grew from six to eight companies on June 22 because of strong enlistment, and a ninth company was added on July 11. The formation eventually comprised thirteen companies.
- 1775
Service with Washington's army
[1]The regiment's companies were sent to Boston for service with Washington's army as light infantry and specialized reserve troops.
- 1775
Companies participate in the Quebec expedition
[1]Companies commanded by William Hendricks and Matthew Smith accompanied Benedict Arnold's expedition and were captured at the Battle of Quebec.
Products and positioning
A Continental Army rifle regiment specialized in long-range marksmanship, light infantry operations, skirmishing, and flank security rather than commercial offerings.
Sources1 sources
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