IV Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons
The purpose of this Internet Page is to commemorate the patriots of Colonel Stephen Moylan's Fourth Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons that wrote a noteworthy chapter in the history of the United States during the American Revolutionary War from January of 1777 to July of 1783.
Our intent is to fill in the blanks of that noteworthy chapter of history by sharing published and unpublished information about the Fourth Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons and any other unit or individuals that served with the Regiment or fought against it.
From our accumulations of historical material, and information submitted by other interested persons, we endeavor to document the adventures, misadventures and sacrifices of the regiment, the troops and detachments as identified in countless historical notes, testaments and oral histories of the families of known Officers and men of the Fourth Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons.
REGIMENTAL HISTORY
Elements of the Fourth Continental Light Dragoons were detached to all
Continental Field Generals and participated in almost every major and many minor
engagements in the war from 1777 to the end of the war in 1783. The 4th Dragoons
had the honor to serve in both the Northern and Southern Campaigns of the
Revolutionary War. The entire regiment or elements (a squadron, a troop or
detachments) of the regiment are cited as serving in the following actions or
being stationed at the following places at the dates indicated.
See the letter from General Washington to Colonel Moylan that put the 4th Dragoons in the History Books.
Date/Time period | Location or Place of the action | Officer in Charge or cited | |||
June 24, 1777 | Woodbridge, New Jersey | Col Moylan | |||
June 28, 1777 | Short Hills, New Jersey | Col Moylan | |||
Sept 11 - 15, 1777 | Brandywine, Chad's Ford, MD | Col Moylan | |||
October 4, 1777 | Germantown, Pennsylvania | Col Moylan | |||
Winter 1777-78 | Cantonment at Valley Forge & Trenton, NJ | Col Moylan | |||
May 20, 1778 | Batle at Barren Hill, Whitemarsh, Penna | Gen Lafayette | |||
June 28, 1778 | Monmouth Courthouse, New Jersey | Col Moylan | |||
Winter 1778-79 | Cantonment at Durham, Connecticut | Col Moylan | |||
1779 Campaign | Stationed at Pound Ridge, New York | Col Moylan | |||
July 11, 1779 | British Raid on Norwalk, Connecticut | Col Moylan | |||
August 8, 1779 | Raid on Lower Salem, New York | LtCol White | |||
Winter 1779-80 | Cantonment at Colchester, Connecticut | Col Moylan | |||
April-May 1780 | Loss of Charleston, South Carolina | Gen Lincoln | |||
June 23, 1780 | Battle of Springfield, NJ | Col Moylan | |||
July 4, 1780 | Little Falls, NJ | Col Moylan | |||
July 20, 1780 | The Cow Chase at Bull's Ferry, NJ | Capt Zebulon Pike | |||
Winter 1780-81 | Cantonment at Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Capt Fauntleroy | |||
Aug 1780 - Jan 1781 | Carolinas Campaign of | William Washington's Legion | |||
January 18, 1781 | Cowpens, South Carolina | W Washington's Legion | |||
March l9, 178l | Guilford Court House | Capt Cook | |||
Jan-Sept 1781 | Virginia Campaign | Capt Larkin Smith | |||
July 8, 1781 | Green Spring (Jamestown), Virginia | Capt Larkin Smith | |||
Sept 8, 1781 | Eutaw Springs, South Carolina | W Washington's Legion | |||
October 1781 | The siege of Yorktown, Virginia | Col Moylan | |||
November 1781 | 4LD to General Green in South Carolina | Major Fauntleroy | |||
Jan - Aug 1782 | Green's re-conquest of South Carolina | Capt Cook, Gill, Heard & Overton | |||
May-June 1782 | Re-conquest of Georgia | Gen Anthony Wayne | |||
May 21, 1782 | Ogechee Road, Georgia (Savannah) | Lt Bower 1LD | |||
June 21, 1782 | Chief Guristersigo's Defeat at Ebeneezer, Georgia | Gen Wayne |
Chester
America's first National Anthem
This famous song was sung and played widely during the Revolutionary War.
It
is believed that it was sung after the battle at Cowpens in South
Carolina.
At one time, it was considered for our national anthem.
It was
written by one of America's earliest composers,
William Billings,
a
New England minister and church music composer.
From the GENERAL
ORDERS of Friday, April 18, 1783, footnote #67 reads
April 19th.
At
noon the proclamation of Congress for a cessation of hostilities was proclaimed
at the door of the New Building,
followed by three huzzas; after which a
prayer was made by the Reverend Mr. Ganno,
and an anthem (Independence, from
Billings,) was performed by vocal and instrumental music. -- Heath's
Memories.
The GW Papers Index entry for this item reads - Billings, William,
anthem, 26.337n.
Ceremony
This Ceremony depicts Revolutionary War Soldier reenactors honoring
Those Who Have Gone Before Us
The Ceremony included the singing of Chester, the firing of three salute rounds,
The singing of Parting Glass, and the Mourning of Arms (as shown).
Additional verses of Chester are available at this Wikipedia link,
or, if you have some additional material or information to share,
Contact Us
Thank you for your interest.
Email us at:iv_dragoon@email.comor sign the guestbook and make your presence known.