"Rangers among first leaders of America's Army" Topic

"When Congress established the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, the original 10 Rifle Companies were composed heavily of frontiersmen and some of the militia leaders already fighting were veterans of a unit known as Roger's Rangers.

Roger's Rangers were skilled woodsmen who fought for the British during the French and Indian War. They frequently undertook winter raids against French outposts, blended native-American techniques with pioneering skills and operated in terrain where traditional militias were ineffective.

The American ranger tradition actually began back in the early 17th century on the frontier, according to historian Glenn Williams at the U.S. Army Center of Military History…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Roger's Rangers was a Loyalist formation--Rogers raised them himself, later they became the Queen's Rangers. There probably were Ranger vets in some Continental units, but the Rifle Regiment that showed up at Boston was notoriously undisciplined.

Ironically, Washington disliked rifle units and tried to disband them during the war.

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

Rangers lead the way! Can I get a "hooah!"

No. Too silly. Carry on.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

HOOAH!!!!

A very poor imitation, adopted by the US Army unofficially, of the Marine Corps Oorah!

Washington disliked rifle units and tried to disband them during the war.

Washington came to realize that riflemen unsupported by musket and bayonet armed regular infantry were at a great disadvantage against the British regulars.

He didn't want more than 1,000 with the army at any one time. The rifles were not of a uniform caliber, were slow to load, and could not be fitted with a bayonet.

He did approve of the organization of the provisional unit commanded by Morgan in 1777 and sent it to the Northern Department for employment against Burgoyne.

After Morgan's unit returned to the main army the unit was broken up and was never reactivated. Rifle units, either militia or state troops, were used effectively with Greene's southern army and were usually brigaded, as at Guilford Courthouse, with regular Continental infantry.

In the northern battles, Morgan's riflemen were brigaded with a provisional light infantry unit commanded by Henry Dearborn and the two worked together successfully.

Gorham's Rangers, commanded by the Gorham brothers, were veterans working long before Rogers learned to shave.

The Queen's Rangers did not become an effective unit under Rogers, but did after first Wemyss, and then Simcoe (both British officers), became their commanders.

Thanks Kevin!.

Amicalement
Armand