Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Three Continental Regiments and their equipment, 1777

 

I recently visited the Saratoga National Historical Park, one day before the 244th Anniversary of the second battle, dubbed Bemis Heights. I rather think of it as 2nd Freeman’s Farm but no one else calls it that. It was a lovely visit even though the visitor center is closed due to Covid restrictions. There was a well-informed park ranger at the American headquarters who indicated all the points of interest that could be viewed from there. This has piqued my interest in the battle and a few more posts about it may arrive while I wait to see if my father-in-law has any more stories about his time in Korea to share. The park itself is quite lovely and has picnic tables, presentable enough to keep wives entertained.

 

The following data is from “The Battle of Hubbardton”, by John Williams, Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, 1988, reprinted 2002. If you can find a copy, get it. It used to be posted online. I got mine at the Hubbardton Battlefield visitor center back in 2002.

    
                            2nd New Hampshire, 1777




                        Green Mountain Boys (Hampshire Grants AKA Vermont) 1777

 

Good

Bad

Needed

Arms

408

14

0

Bayonets

413

0

9

Cartridge boxes

204

0

128

Priming wires and brushes

17

0

405

Powder horns

144

0

278

Pouches

31

0

391     

 

Good

Bad

Needed

Firelocks

140

40

18

Bayonets

46

1

151

Ramrods

107

55

36

Cartridge boxes

153

55

36

Pouches

6

1

191

Waist belts

63

0

135

Slings

6

0

192

Bayonet scabbards

48

2

148

 

 

 

 

 

Good

Bad

Needed

Muskets

355

14

0

Bayonets

359

0

11

Cartridge boxes

347

0

8

Priming wires and brushes

21

0

334

Powder horns

91

0

264

Pouches

28

0

327

State of Arms and Accoutrements of the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment, Colonel Alexander Scammel

 

 




Return of Arms and Accoutrements of the Green Mountain Boys Regiment, Colonel Seth Warner







State of Arms and Accoutrements of the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment, Colonel Nathan Hale (not the one executed)

 

These reports were submitted at Ticonderoga, June 17, 1777


You will note that the two New Hampshire Continental units had enough bayonets while the Green Mountain Boys didn’t have many at all. Both the New Hampshire units had a dearth of priming wires and brushes, needed to clean clogged muskets. It seems they needed to share the few they had, so only a few at a time could clean fouled weapons. One would presume the British and German regulars had enough of such kit. Warner’s troops don’t even list priming wires and brushes, but then they seem deficient in much else too.


Rain would be a problem, since the distribution of cartridge boxes needed to keep ammo dry was erratic. That said, the Continentals would prefer to trade fire with the enemy rather than cross bayonets.  


2 comments:

uiduach OB said...

Good stuff.

Phil said...

C'est magnifique! Wonderful colors...