IV Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons

Recreated Troop of Fourth Continental Light Dragoons

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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Our intent is to fill in the blanks of that noteworthy chapter of history by sharing published and unpublished information about the Fourth Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons and any other unit or individuals that served with the Regiment or fought against it.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.com
or sign the guestbook and make your presence known.