The British Military Presence in America, 1660-1720
The presence of British regular army forces in the American colonies in the late 17th century and early 18th century was sporadic at best. This period in which Britain was becoming an empire at war intermittently with other European Powers, was a time when defending colonial possessions was becoming, but was not yet a major priority. This is a small but evolving attempt to learn something about and portray those sent to America to defend it from natives, pirates and the other major competing adversaries in America, those being, initially, the Netherlands, and later Spain and France. The wars fought in America during this time that involved regulars were King William’s War (1690-98), Queen Anne’s War (1702-13), the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718-20).
In the 17th century and later, soldiers were seen as a dangerous burden to those civilian communities they lived in or near. The need for protection from hostile natives, pirates, the Spanish and or France in the Caribbean seemed to lead to some appreciation for soldiers and former soldiers as settlers. During the post-1697 disbandment, Antigua offered a bounty and land for those soldiers who stayed on there. In 1688, Antigua also offered a pension to wounded soldiers and their children or widows. By all indications, this demonstrates a unique view of soldiers. Further exploration of the literature is called for to see if this unique attitude was common to the North American and other Caribbean colonies.
Regular Regiments. Regular regiments, in whole or in part, were involved in both garrison and expeditionary missions in North America and the Caribbean during this period. How the regiments were equipped was a function of how much the regimental commander was willing to spend on his soldiers and where the British army was generally in its transition away from pike to bayonet, from matchlock to fire lock, bandoleer of boxes to cartridge boxes and the other transitions occurring in the army. Matchlock muskets and bandoleers (or “collars”) of charges might have been seen throughout the period with vastly decreasing frequency after 1700. Marine units would not have had matchlocks in their inventory. Firelocks would have been seen in ever increasing numbers throughout the period. Sword belts and plug bayonets would have been prevalent from the 1680’s onward. I have addressed the regimental colors (coat/facing) of the different regular regiments that served in America during the specified time wherever possible as well as if they were raised in Ireland. Also, when possible, I have provided the numbered regiment designation of those regiments that continued to 1757 and the duration of service of those regiments that were “broken.”
Independent Companies. The Independent Companies were composed of officers and soldiers sent from Britain and not raised locally. Unlike the other units of the army that each had distinctive uniform colors, regiment dependent, they would have worn Royal Livery colors, that is to say red coats faced blue. Commanders were responsible for clothing, arming and equipping their soldiers. Each company would have been equipped and clothed as any other company for the time it was raised. This being a time of great transition in weapons and equipment and there being no uniform pattern for clothing and equipment, there is likely to have been a good deal of variation between the companies at different locations not to mention the differences between the equipment of “old timers” and new replacements. When the initial issue was worn out, it was expected that the colony, officers or soldiers would replace it. The likelihood that such replacement occurred with any degree of regularity is low, given multi-year long delays in soldier and officer pay and colonies already feeling over taxed by the British government. Equipment and style of uniform was a function of when a company deployed from England and when or if it was re-supplied and re-equipped.
An Independent Company organization had 50-100 soldiers with one Captain, one to two Lieutenants, three sergeants, three corporals and 2 drummers. There is no mention in the literature of pike being used, only muskets. Once a soldier came over with an Independent Company they rarely went back to Britain. They either died, as large numbers did, due more to conditions than combat, or retired and settled where they had been sent, subject to recall at any time. Officers did find their way back to Britain on occasion, but staying in the colonies allowed advancement for those without the requisite family connections, due to death and or retirement of superiors. A lack of family connections would have been likely to land officers in the Independent Companies to begin with. Sergeants from regular regiments, as opposed to “gentlemen,” were even known to have been offered and accepted commissions in the Independent Companies during the reign of Queen Anne. These were not prestigious postings for ambitious officers.
Why volunteer for service in an Independent Company half a world away? Some soldiers didn’t, but were forced to go as punishment for desertion and other crimes. Others were from “broken” disbanded regiments and wished to remain soldiers. Some were doubtless told they would receive their past due pay if they continued to serve.
The army underwent a major draw down in 1697 with the signing of the Treaty of Ryswick leading to a 60% reduction of an army of 87,500 men. A total of 1500 officers were put on half pay. The Independent Companies were an opportunity to continue to serve, and many chose to.
The mission of the Independent Companies was colonial defense as well as to augment and support offensive operations. The Independent Companies manned garrisons and forts, served as leadership cadre as well as trainers for militia forces, and served as marines for Royal Navy and Privateer vessels that needed them. Soldiering in the Independent Companies no doubt became a part time job, situation and location dependent, allowing for casual labor and taking up outside trades. Unlike soldiers in mobile regiments, these soldiers became permanent members of the community where they were stationed.
Militia
The militia was comprised of all able bodied male civilians usually between the ages of 18 and 60, led by local prominent community leaders. They either brought their own arms or were armed by their commanders. There is no evidence I have found of militia uniforms with the exception of an effort on the part of the Port Royal Council in the 1680’s to provide black hats and red coats to the militia and an eyewitness account of the Port Royal militia wearing red coats with blue facings in 1688 . Militia rotated through forts and were involved in patrolling frontiers areas. In the case of islands and coastal regions militia patrolled areas subject to amphibious assault and piracy. Militia were also involved in expeditionary operations and subject to serve as marines on Royal Navy vessels requiring a complement of marines.
The Role of Women
Women had a critical role in the armies of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, to the point that armies would feed 15 women per company to insure the execution of the essential logistical roles of cooking, providing medical support as well as repairing and washing clothes. The Independent Companies and militia were no different in this regard. In the literature there are two interesting citations concerning the presence of women in the Army, the first being a Lieutenant of an unidentified Independent Company with smallpox being put ashore with his wife so she could nurse him to health. The other is the drowning of 35 women in the sinking of a troop ship in the St Lawrence Seaway during the abortive attempt on Quebec in 1711. Wherever British soldiers went, their women went too.
Chronology of Military Operations in North America
and identifiable British units involved, 1664-1720
25 Aug 1664 Dutch surrender New Amsterdam and Fort Amsterdam (renamed as New York and Fort James) to three companies of the Duke of York’s Regiment (approximately 100 men in three companies) (1664-1690)
1665-67 Second Dutch War
1667 Dutch raid on the James River
1670 Treaty of America between Britain and Spain
1672-74 Third Dutch War
1673 Admiral Evertson takes New York for Holland
1674 New York returned to Britain
1675-76 King Phillips War
Bradford’s Plymouth Militia
Treat’s Connecticut Militia
1675-76 Virginia war with the Susquehannocks.
1676 Bacon’s rebellion in Virginia
1676 Pate’s rebellion in Maryland
1676 Albermarle’s war with the Meherins.
1677 Culpepper’s rebellion in Carolina
1682 Pirate raid on plantations on the York River in Virginia. Ship pursued to Rhode Island and crew captured
1683 Talbot establishes Maryland fort near New Castle with Maryland militia garrison
1686 Spanish destroy Scottish settlement of Stuart’s Town in Carolina
1687 Guard Ship Dumbarton captures pirate vessels vicinity Accomack County in the Chesapeake Bay
1688 Raid on Maine Indians
1689-97 King William’s War
1689 Coode’s Rebellion in Maryland
1690 Phip’s capture of Port Royal and Acadia
Johnson’s Massachusetts Militia
1690 French raid Falmouth Maine
1690 Phips raid on Quebec
1696 Raid on Beaubassin
Church’s Massachusetts Militia
1696 French destroy Fort at Pemaquid Miane
1697 Seizure of St. Johns by Commodore Norris
Gibson’s Foot (28th) (red/yellow)
1697 Treaty of Ryswick- Acadia returned to France
1702-13 Queen Anne’s War/War of Spanish Succession
1700 Governor Nicholson and Captain Passenger of the HMS Shoreham capture Lewis Guillar and the Le Paix on the James River in Virginia
1701 Pennsylvania established armed watch on Delaware Bay to look for pirate activity
1702 Raid on St Augustine
Daniel’s South Carolina Militia
1704 Apalachee Raid
Moore’s South Carolina Militia
1704 Attack on Port Royal
1704 French raid on Deerfield, Massachusetts
1704 Raid on Mines
1706 Spanish/French attack on Charleston
Southward Militia Regiment
1707 Raid on Port Royal
Hilton’s Massachusetts Militia
1 New Hampshire Militia Regiment
1708 Recapture of St John’s by French
1710 Capture of Port Royal and Acadia
Hobby’s Massachusetts Militia regiment
Tailer’s Massachusetts Militia regiment
Whiting’s Connecticut Militia regiment
Walton’s Rhode Island/New Hampshire Militia regiment
1711-12 Attempt on Quebec under Commodore Walker
Stanhope’s Sea Service Foot (11th) (red/yellow)
Livesays’ Sea Service Foot (12th) (red/white)
Handasyde’s Sea Service Foot (22nd) (red/buff)
Wetham’s Sea Service Foot (27th) (Irish) (red/buff)
Saunderson’s 1st Marines (30th) (red/yellow)
Donegal’s Marines (35th) (Irish) (red/orange)
Charlemont’s Sea Service Foot (36th) (Irish) (red/green)
Meredeth’s Sea Service Foot (37th) (Irish) (red/yellow)
One company each from:
Villier’s 2nd Marines (31st) (Irish) (red/yellow)
Borr’s 3rd Marines (32nd) (red/white)
Mordaunts’ Marines
Holt’s Marines
Shannon’s Marines
Vetch’s Massachusetts Militia
Walton’s Massachusetts Militia
1 Company, New Hampshire Militia
1711-15 Tuscarora War
Moore’s South Carolina Militia
1715-18 Yamassee War
Craven’s South Carolina Militia
1718-20 British War with Spain
1718 Cpt Maynard kills Blackbeard and captures crew.
1718 Col Rhett captures Stede Bonnet and crew.
North American Garrisons, 1664-1720
New York
1664 Colonel Nicoll’s Company occupies Fort James
Colonel Cartwright’s Company occupies Ft Orange/Albany
Colonel Carr’s Company occupies Delaware River settlements
1667 Carr’s Company Disbanded
1672 Krieger’s Company raised
1673 Dutch retake New York and English garrison surrenders
1674 Edmond Andros arrives at New York with one Independent Company of 100
soldiers to be divided between Albany and Fort James/ New York City
1676 Ft Charles at Pemaquid built and garrisoned with 50 men
1686 Two additional Independent Companies arrive at New York. Four companies established with two sent to Boston
1689 All companies disbanded
1690 Two Independent Companies (3 officers and 68 soldiers each) with one in New
York and one at Albany
1694-95 Four Independent Companies (3 officers and 68 soldiers each)
1699 Four Independent Companies (3 officers and 50 soldiers each)
1701-14 Four Independent Companies (3 officers and 100 soldiers each) with 2
Companies in New York City and 2 in Albany
Virginia
1676 Herbert Jeffrey’s Regiment (approximately 1000 officers and soldiers with 200
soldiers 6 sergeants and 6 corporals per company) arrives in Jamestown Virginia.
active vicinity Albermarle
- One company sent to Northern Neck to support militia and protect
plantations
- Two companies sent to the Falls of the James
- One company sent to Kecoughtan
1677 Herbert Jeffrey dies
1677 Independent Company established
1678 Four companies return to England
1679 One Company sent from England
1682 Both Companies disbanded
Massachusetts
1686 Two Independent Companies in Boston
1689 Two Independent Companies returned to England
South Carolina
1670 2 Militia Companies
1685 Northward Militia Regiment
Port Royal/Annapolis Nova Scotia
1710-17 Four Independent Companies
1717-20 Phillip’s Foot (40th) (red/buff)
Newfoundland
1689-1712 One Independent Company
1694-97 Gibson’s Foot (28th) (red/yellow)
1699 Queen Dowager’s Foot- Selwyn’s (2nd) (red/green)
xxx River’s Foot (6th)
1713-17 Four Independent Companies
1717-20 Phillip’s Foot (40th)
Chronology of Military Operations in the Caribbean and identifiable British units involved, 1660-1720
1660 Captain Myngs’ raid on Santiago
Windsor’s Militia
1663 Captain Myngs’ raid on Campeche
Windsor’s Militia
1665 - 1667 Second Dutch War
1665 Colonel Morgan’s raid on Dutch colonies of St Eustatius and Saba
Jamaica Privateers
1665 Captain Mansfeld’s raid on Cuba and Spanish occupation of Providence Island
Jamaica Privateers
1665 Captain Morgan’s raid on Granada
Jamaica Privateers
1665 Colonel Watt’s raid on St. Martin’s
Watt’s Militia Regiment
1665 Captain Morris’ raid on Guiana
Morris’s Militia Company
1666 English Colony established on New Providence – James Modyford commissioned as
Governor of the Bahamas
1666 Captains Searle’s and Stedman’s raid on Tobago
1666 French capture English side of St Kitts, Montserrat and Antigua
1666 Capture of St Lucia
Willoughby’s Militia Regiment
1666 Captain Harman’s raid on Cayenne
Willoughby’s Militia Regiment
1667 British raid on Tobago
Bridge’s Foot
1667 Captain Harman’s raid on Surinam
Willoughby’s Militia Regiment
1667 French return English side of St Kitts, Montserrat and Antigua to Britain
1668 Captain Morgan’s raid on Puerto Principe
Jamaica Privateers
1668 Captain Morgan’s raid on Portobello
Jamaica Privateers
1669 Captain Morgan’s raid on Maracaibo
Jamaica Privateers
1670 Spanish raids on Jamaica
1670-71 Captain Morgan’s raid on Panama
Jamaica Privateers
1670 Spanish sack New Providence
1670 Captain Searle’s raid on St Augustine
1670 Treaty of America between Britain and Spain
1672 - 1674 Third Dutch War
1672 Major Beeston with the HMS Assistance and HMS Lilly capture the Charity at sea
and Mary while careened.
1673 Col Tobias Bridge captures Tobago Bridge’s Foot
1680 Sharpe’s raid on Panama
1680 Morgan takes Everson’s ship in Cow Bay. Captured crew turned over to Spanish at Cartagena.
Morgan’s Company
1684 Captain Carlyle with the HMS Francis burns the Trompeuse and another ship at
St Thomas.
1683 New Danish Governor installed on St Thomas with British help in response to
support for pirate activity by prior governor
1683 Spanish raid British colony on New Providence
1684 Captain Mitchell and the HMS Ruby captured the Golden Fleece
1687 Captain Sir Robert Holmes Expedition
1684 Spanish raid on Nassau- English settlers evacuate the Bahamas
1687 Colonists from Jamaica settle on New Providence and build a fort.
1689 - 1697 King William’s War
1689 French capture St. Kitt’s and St. Eustatia
1689 French raids on Jamaica
1689 Thornhill with 2 sloops captures French privateer
Hamilton’s Company, Thornhill’s Militia.
1689 Thornhill Raid on St Bartholomew
Thornhill’s Militia
1689 French capture Antiguilla and retaken by Codrington
Lloyd’s/Holt’s Foot (1689-98) (blue)
1690 British retake St Kitt’s and St. Eustatia
Independent Company
Thornhill’s Militia
Blackstone’s Militia
Pym’s Militia
Earl’s Militia
William’s Militia
1690-92 Commodore Wright’s Expedition/1690 Raid on St. Bartholomew’s and St.
Martin’s Islands
Thornhill’s Militia
Pym’s Militia
Earl’s Militia
Hewetson’s Militia
1691 Codrington’s raid on Hispanola
Lloyd’s/Holt’s Foot
1691 Captain O‘Brien’s raid on Hispaniola
1693 Commodore Wheeler’s raid on Martinique
Foulke’s Foot (38th) (red/yellow)
Lloyd’s/Holt’s Foot
Collingwood’s (32nd) (red/white)
Salter’s Militia
Boteler’s Militia
1694 French Raid on Jamaica
Montjoy’s Independent Company
1695 Commodore Wilmot’s raid on Hispaniola
Lloyd’s/Holt’s Foot
Collingwood’s (32nd)
1697 Fort Nassau built outside Nassau
1702-13 Queen Anne’s War/War of Spanish Succession
1702 British capture of French sector of St. Kitts
1702 Admiral Benbow’s raid on Guadalupe
Wetham’s Sea Service Foot (27th) (Irish) (red/buff)
1702-04 Commodore Walker’s Expedition/ Raid on Guadalupe
Viscount Boyne’s Sea Service Foot. (20th) (Irish) (red/white)
Donegal’s Marines (35th) (Irish) (red/orange)
Charlemont’s Sea Service Foot. (36th) (Irish) (red/green)
One company each from:
Saunderson’s 1st Marines (30th) (Irish) (red/yellow)
Villier’s 2nd Marines (31st) (Irish) (red/yellow)
Fox’s 3rd Marines (32nd)
Mordaunts’ Marines (1702-04)
Holt’s Marines (1702-13)
Shannon’s Marines (Irish) (1702-13)
Wetham’s Sea Service Foot (27th)
Byam’s Militia
Two Independent Companies of St Kitts
1703 French/Spanish raid on Nassau
1706 Spanish raid on Nassau- most English settlers evacuate the Bahamas
1706 French raid on Nevis
Burt’s Miltia
1706 French raid on St. Kitt’s
1710 French raid on Monserrat
1717 Cpt. Hume of the Scarborough sinks Martel’s ship at St Croix
Jones/Alexander’s Sea Service Foot (38th)
1717 13 British frigates sail to Caribbean to eliminate piracy
1717 Teach’s raid on St Kitts
1717 British Crown issues proclamation for suppression of piracy and surrender by 1718
1718-20 British War with Spain
1718-19 British settlement on Crab Island. Removed by Spain.
1718 Cpt. Woods Rogers arrives at New Providence and garrisons island
1720 Cpt. Barnet captures Jack Rackham, Mary Reed, Ann Bonny and crew
1720 Spanish raid on Nassau
Caribbean Regular Army Garrisons, 1660-1720
Bermuda
1702-20 One Independent Company
Cpt. Lancelot Sandys, Lt. Robert Henley, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals one drummer and 50 sentinels detached from Handasyde’s Sea Service Foot (22nd) in 1702. Barracks located in St George.
Barbados
1667-73 Bridge’s Foot, Six Companies
1671-97 Two Independent Companies
1694-97 Russell’s Foot (The Barbados Regiment)
1698-99 One Independent Company
Bahamas (Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, New Providence)
1718-20 One Independent Company
Baeuchamp’s Company
Jamaica
1678-82 Two Independent Companies
Carlisle’s Company
Morgan’s Company
1694-99 One Independent Company
Montjoy’s Company
1694-1697 Lillingston’s Foot (38th) (red/yellow)
1703-05 Livesay’s Sea Service Foot (12th) (red/white)
1703-13 Handasyde’s Sea Service Foot (22nd) (red/buff)
1714-20 Two Independent Companies
Leeward Island Colony (St. Kitt’s, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, Nevis, Anguilla, Dominica)
1667-71 Bridge’s Foot, Four Companies with two on Barbados and two on St. Kitt’s
1671-90 St. Kitt’s two Independent Companies
1689 St Kitts two Independent Companies move to Nevis
1690-1706 St. Kitts one Independent Company
1690-98 Lloyd’s/Holt’s Foot on St. Kitt’s
1692-99 Collingwood’s/Fox’s Foot (32nd ) on Antigua
1699- 1714 Wetham’s Sea Service Foot (27th) on St Kitt’s, Antigua and Nevis
1702-03 St Kitts two Independent Companies
1710-1720 Jones’/Alexander’s Sea Service Foot (38th) on Antigua
Locally raised Caribbean forces:
1660-63 Jamaica
1665 Jamaica
1665 St Kitts
1665 Barbados
1666-67 Nevis and Antigua
1667-68 Jamaica
1672-73 Barbados
1689 Nevis
1689 Nevis
1692 Barbados
1692 Barbados
1690 Antigua
1690 Antigua
1690 Montserrat
1694 Jamaica
1702 Antigua
1706 St Kitt’s
1706 Nevis
Antigua Privateers 1702-13
Bermuda Privateers 1682-84
Barbados Privateers 1702-13
Jamaica Privateers
1660-72
1675-79
1702-1713
1718 Bahamas
Sources:
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