Elliot's Debates
From the Library of Congress(The Debates in the Several State Conventions
on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution) 5 volumes
Includes the " Documents pertinent to the discussions on ratification:
the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation,
The
Journal of the Constintuional Convention [from a version that is earlier
and less accurate than that in The Records of the Federal Convention
of 1787], the text of the proposed Constitution, and
the debates in the various states. The Federalist Papers also presents
a vital part of the debate over the Constitution." All of these underlined
items are presented in link from this page)
Continental
Congress and Constitutional Convention Broadsides Related Resources [from
the Library of Congress]
George LONG enumerates his men in the militia at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/5429/york/yorkcopa1.html
"Historical highlights of the Pennsylvania
National Guard" http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Military_Affairs/PAO/pr/250th.html
A sort of time line shows:
"1747 - Overcoming the long pacifist tradition of Pennsylvania's founding
Quakers, Benjamin Franklin leads some 600 "gentlemen
and merchants" of Philadelphia in signing "articles of association"
to provide for a common defense against Indian raiders and
French privateers. These "Associators" (today's 111th Infantry and
103rd Engineers) are recognized as the foundation of the
Pennsylvania National Guard. Within months, the Philadelphia Associators
have brother units throughout the populated
Commonwealth.
1755 - The Pennsylvania Assembly passes the first Militia Act, formally authorizing a volunteer militia.
1775 - The First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry escorts General George
Washington to New York to take command of the
Continental Army. The Army's first units include a regiment of rifle
companies from Pennsylvania -- among them, the predecessor
of a current National Guard unit in York.
1776-1783 - With the start of the Revolutionary War, Pennsylvania supplies
6,000 troops (4,500 of them Associators) for military
operations in New York. One unit, the Philadelphia Artillery Battalion,
lives on as today's 103rd Engineer Battalion. In all, tens of
thousands of Pennsylvania soldiers are called to service over the next
seven years.
1793 - Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Mifflin establishes "
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Names and Terms of the Revolution for link: http://www.fasttrackteaching.com/termsrevolutionary.html
The New Militias ; http://www.terrorism.net/Pubs/adl_mi~1.htm
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Each colony maintained its separate militia establishment, and each
concentrated on the problems of protecting or extending its own
frontiers; cooperation among the militias of the various colonies was
confined to specific expeditions in which two or more colonies had
an interest. The militia was by and large a local institution, administered
in county and town or township under the general militia laws of
each colony. It was closely integrated with the social and economic
structure of colonial society. Though the royal governors or colonial
assemblies appointed the general officers and the colonels who commanded
militia districts, the companies in each locality elected
their own officers. This practice seemingly put a premium on popularity
rather than wealth or ability, but rank in the militia generally
corresponded with social station in the community.
Each individual militiamen was expected to provide his own weapon‹ usually
a smoothbore musket‹and ammunition, clothing, and
food for a short expedition, just as the British knight had been required
to provide his own
29
horse, armor, and suitable weapons for feudal warfare. Local authorities
maintained reserve supplies of muskets to arm those too poor
to buy them and collected stores of ammunition and sometimes small
cannon that could be dragged along through the wilderness. For
really long campaigns, the colonial government had to take charge,
the assembly appropriating the money for supplies and designating
the supply officers or contractors to handle purchasing and distribution.
Although the militia was organized into units by county or township,
it hardly ever fought that way. Instead the local unit served as a
training and mobilization base from which individuals could be selected
for active operations. When a particular area of a colony was
threatened, the colonial government would direct the local militia
commander to call out his men and the commander would mobilize as
many as he could or as he thought necessary, selecting the younger
and more active men for service. For expeditions into the Indian
country, individuals from many localities were usually selected and
formed into improvised units for the occasion. Selection was
generally by volunteering, but local commanders could draft both men
and property if necessary. Drafted men were permitted the option
of hiring substitutes, a practice that favored the well to do. Volunteer,
drafted man, and substitute alike insisted on the militiamen's
prerogative to serve only a short period and return to home and fireside
as quickly as possible.
As a part-time citizen army, the militia was naturally not a well-disciplined,
cohesive force comparable to the professional army of the
age. Moreover, its efficiency, even for Indian fighting, varied from
colony to colony and even from locality to locality within the same colony,
depending on the ability and determination of commanders and the presence
or absence of any threat. When engaged in eliminating an
Indian threat to their own community, militiamen might be counted on
to make up in enthusiasm what they lacked in discipline and
formal training, but when the Indian threat was pushed westward there
was a tendency for people along the seaboard to relax. Training
days, one a week in the early days of settlement, fell to one a month
or even one a year. Festivities rather than military training
increasingly became the main purpose of many of the gatherings, and
the efficiency of the militia in these regions declined accordingly.
In some towns and counties, however, the military tradition was kept
alive by volunteers who formed units of their own, purchased
distinctive uniforms, and prepared themselves to respond in case of
war or emergency. These units became known as the volunteer
militia and were the predecessors of the National Guard of the United
States. In Pennsylvania, which
30
lacked a militia law until 1755 and then passed one that made militia
service voluntary rather than compulsory, all units were
composed of volunteers."
Above from http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/amh/AMH-02.htm
Part of the US Army Webpages
xxxxxx
"5. Pennsylvania in the Revolution
On 15 July 1774, the Pennsylvania
General Assembly resolved "that the inhabitants of the colonies are entitled
to the same rights and liberties within these
Colonies that the Subjects born in England are entitled within that
realm." Resolve number four named the right to keep and bear arms
in defense of home,
family and self.345 The inhabitants of western Pennsylvania met
at the town of Hannah's Town, destroyed a few years later by Tories and
Indians under Simon
Girty, and resolved that,
First, to arm and form ourselves into a regiment or regiments, and choose officers to command us in such proportions as shall be thought necessary.
Second, We will, with alacrity,
endeavor to make ourselves masters of the manual exercises and such evolutions
as may be necessary to enable us to act in
a body in concert; and to that end we will meet at such times and places
as shall be appointed, either for the companies or the regiment, by the
officers
commanding each when chosen.
Third, that should our country
be invaded by a foreign enemy, or should troops be sent from Great Britain
to enforce the late arbitrary acts of its parliament,
we will cheerfully submit to military discipline, and to the utmost
of our power, resist and oppose them . . . and will coincide with any plan
that may be formed for
the defense of America in general, or Pennsylvania in particular.346
On 30 June 1775 the Pennsylvania
Committee of Safety met at Philadelphia to take action of the revitalization
of the militia.347 It ordered that each
county inventory its stores of arms and assigned to each county a quota
of arms that it was to produce wherewith to arm the militia. The
county assessors and
commissioners were to take a census of potential militiamen and make
certain that they were armed and equipped. 348 York County had a
good military
organization, while the Philadelphia militia was not reordered until
April 1775 and the frontier county of Bedford was not reconstituted until
May 1775.349
Richard Penn, son of Pennsylvania Governor Richard Penn, left for England
in the summer of 1775, carrying with him a petition prepared by John Dickinson,
addressing the colonial grievances. In November 1775 the House
of Lords brought Penn in to answer certain questions concerning the military
strength of the
colony.
Q. What force has the Province raised?
Penn. When I left Pennsylvania they had 20,000 men in arms embodied, but not in pay, and 4500 men since raised.
Q. What were these 20,000? militia or what?
Penn. They were volunteers throughout the Province.
Q. What were the 4500 men?
Penn. They were Minute Men, when upon service in pay.
Q. Are they included in the 20,000 men or exclusive of them?
Penn. Enclusive.
Q. Doeth the Province contribute money besides to the Continental Army?
Penn. They do.
Q. How many men fit to bear arms is it supposed there are in Pennsylvania?
Penn. 60,000.
Q. What proportion of these 60,000 men do you believe would willingly come forth, if necessary, in the present contest?
Penn. All, I believe.350
Despite the fact that the Quakers
in Pennsylvania were opposed to slavery and aided persons of color in every
possible way, blacks were unwelcome in the
Quaker state's militia. In 1775 the Philadelphia Committee of
Safety ordered that the notorious Indian Trader David Owen be sent to the
workhouse because he
was a "person suspected of enlisting Negroes."351
After the legislature enacted the
militia law militiamen could petition the Committee of Safety in Philadelphia
for an appointment as an officer. The text of
one such petition reads,
To the Honorable, the Committee of Safety of the Province of Pennsylvania, December the 21st 1775, Easton.
The Petition of John Craig of Northampton County sheweth, That your
Petitioner is desirous of entering into the Service in the Militia and
prays to be appointed
a Lieutenant in one of the Battalions now to be raised, and doubts
not to Assist in raising a Company in the said County. John Craig.
Craig's letter was accompanied by a letter signed by "three prominent
citizens of Easton" which attested to his character and patriotism.
The recommendation
concluded that Craig was "a Sober Active Spirited Man of Good Character
and [we[] think him fit to command a Company as Lieutenant."352
The scarcity of firearms prompted
the Pennsylvania Assembly in the summer of 1775 to order 5000 stands of
arms with bayonets and accoutrements at a
cost of £35,000. The Assembly agreed to pay the bill
with an issue of bills of credit.353 This deficiency of arms combined
with the presumed inability of
"undisciplined & half-armed Farmers and Tradesmen" to stand against
trained British soldiers armed with bayonets caused some members of the
Committee of
Safety to recommend that militia be armed with pikes. "It has
been regretted by some great Soldiers," the Committee argued, "that the
use of pikes was ever laid
aside, and many experienced Officers of the present Times agree."
The Committee then resolved that patterns pike pikes, 14 feet in length
and weighing 7 or 8
pounds, be ordered. Such pikes would "reach beyond the Bayonet
and the compound Force of the Files, every man laying hold of the presented
Pikes,
rendering a charge made with them insupportable by any Battalion armed
only in the common Manner." Pikes had generally been considered obsolete
in
America since c.1650, and had been employed only in New England.
Several cutlers agreed to make a pattern pike. "Each Pikeman [is
also] to have a cutting
sword, and where it can be procured, a Pistol."354
On 18 July 1775 Congress set standards
for arms which were eventually accepted in nearly all states. Pennsylvania's
version of the requirement for arms
and equipment reads as follows.
Each soldier shall be furnished with a good musket that will carry a
one ounce ball, with a bayonet, steel ramrod, worm priming wire and brush,
fitted thereunto,
a cutting sword or tomahawk, a cartouch box that will contain 23 rounds
of cartouches, 12 flints and a knapsack. . . . Each man being provided
with one pound
of gunpowder and four pounds of ball fitted to his gun. . . . That
it be recommended to the Makers of Arms for the use of the Militia that
they make good,
substantial muskets with barrels 3 1/2 feet in length, that will carry
a one ounce ball, and fitted with a good bayonet and steel ramrod.355
To reduce the danger from tory
saboteurs the Committee of Safety ordered "that no Person be permitted
to pass over the Ferries on the Delaware and
Schuylkill [Rivers] from this City without special orders."356
In July 1775 the Committee of Safety of Lancaster County ordered that each
adult male inhabitant
furnish himself with a firearm in good working order. Failure
to do so would be construed as the act of a non-associator.357 In
November 1775 the
Pennsylvania Assembly drew up resolutions which converted the quasi-legal
Associators into a legally authorized militia and also authorized the enlistment
of
as many as wished to support the patriot cause.358 On 18 July
1775 the Pennsylvania Assembly ordered "that all the Militia take proper
care to acquire military
skill and be well prepared for defence by each man being provided with
a pound of gunpowder and 4 pounds of ball fitted to his gun."359
The law also
provided that
one fourth part of the Militia in every county be selected for Minute
Men, of such persons who are willing to enter into this necessary service,
formed into
Companies and Battalions . . . to be ready at the shortest notice to
march any place where their assistance may be required for the defence
of a neighbouring
county, and as these Minute Men may eventually be called to action
before the whole Body of Militia are sufficiently trained, it is recommended
that a more
particular and diligent attention be paid to their instruction in military
discipline.360
In 1775 Pennsylvania was asked
to contribute troops to move against the English in Canada. A significant
number was raised in Lancaster, one of whom
was John Joseph Henry. He left behind an important account of
the failure of that invasion.361 He left a vivid description of a
typical volunteer.
Each man of the three companies bore a rifle-barrelled gun, a tomahawk,
or small axe, and a long knife, usually called a 'scalping knife' . . .
His under dress . . .
was covered by a deep ash colored hunting shirt, leggings and moccasins
. . . the silly fashion of those times, for riflemen to ape the manners
of savages.362
In April 1776 the Pennsylvania
Committee of Safety ordered General Anthony Wayne to fill the depleted
ranks of his Fourth Pennsylvania Battalion with
recruits drawn from the militia.363 In May 1776 Edward Hand asked
for authorization to form a special ranging company of riflemen, to consist
of seven
companies of specially trained men who exhibited unusual prowess with
the rifle.364 The Pennsylvania Assembly then created a set of instructions
for
recruiting riflemen.
1. You are to enlist no man who is not able-bodied, healthy and active. . . .
2. You are to have a great regard for sobriety and moral character in general.
3. Inlist no man who is not provided with a good rifle gun, perfectly fit for service, and very expert in the use of it.
4. You are not to enlist any indentured servant, nor, without leave of his mistress or master, any apprentice.
5. You [, the Colonel of the Regiment, are] . . . to inspect your men and reject such as do not answer your instructions.
6. Every man is to be enlisted by his taking . . . an oath or affirmation
in the following words, "I, --, . . . will to the utmost of
my power, defend the rights and
liberties of this Province and of America in general; and will oppose
and resist any force or enemies that shall act or be employed against them.
So help me
God.
7. You shall use all diligence in completing your company.365
News of the clash between the patriots
and the British army at Lexington and Concord reached Philadelphia within
a few days, brought by courier sent by
the Massachusetts Committee of Safety. The reaction in Pennsylvania
to "the recent events" near Boston was similar to that noted in other colonies.
A
gentleman in Philadelphia wrote to a merchant in London that "the Rage
Militaire, as the French call a passion for arms has taken possession of
the whole
continent." The city of Philadelphia had increased its numbers
by recruiting 4000 volunteers, among which were 300 Quakers. "Every
County in our Province is
awakened and several thousand Riflemen on our frontiers are in readiness."
The militia was prepared to guard all public meetings.366 Another
correspondent
confirmed the first. "Almost every man can produce a Firelock
. . . and I verily believe that at this moment there are 5000 men under
arms in this City." He
noted that "even the Friends had laid aside all scruples" excepting
the elders "of whom such service is not expected" anyway because of age
and infirmity. All
men showed "utmost assiduity" in acquiring military discipline.367
Even the youth had been stirred into patriotic action. "A number
of boys, from the age of 13
to 16 went out this morning to the place where inhabitants muster to
learn the [militia] discipline and most earnestly requested they might
be admitted into the
body."368 The political pulpit joined in. Dr Smith "provost
of our college who seldom stands in his own light, is become a flaming
patriot." He preached a fiery
sermon based on Joshua XXII, verse 22, "The Lord God of Gods he knoweth,
and Israel shall know, if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against
the Lord, save
us not this day."369
In early spring 1776 a man from
Philadelphia wrote to his friend in London and described the state of affairs
in Philadelphia. "Pennsylvania is still
unattacked," he wrote, but "our river is defended." He described
the elaborate defensive preparations, including batteries of guns, strong
chains across the
harbor and a number of floating batteries and ships. The immediate
defense of the colony would be left to "from 30,000 to 40,000 militia."370
Many of those volunteers moved
north to the assistance of the northern colonies. In the summer of
1776 the New York Mercury described the colorful
uniforms of the Pennsylvania militiamen who arrived outside New York
city, in response to General Washington's urgent call for men. They
came in hunting
shirts with leather leggings, some in forest green coats, some with
yellow and white jackets and trousers and others in homespun linsey-woolsey.
The newspaper
pronounced them "hearty fellows" capable of holding their own with
any group of men anywhere.371
In early June the Continental Congress
ordered Pennsylvania to supply 6000 men to the Flying Camp at Philadelphia
to supplement the regular army.372
The Assembly met in June 1776, with delegates present from all counties.
It resolved somewhat optimistically,373
That this Conference do recommend to the Committee and Associators of
this Province to embody 4500 militia, which, with the 1500 men now in the
pay of this
Province, will be the quota of this Province, as required by Congress.
Resolved, unanimously, That the 4500 militia recommended to be raised be
formed into
six battalions, each battalion to be commanded by a colonel, one lieutenant-colonel.
one major; the staff to consist of a chaplin, a surgeon, an adjutant, a
quartermaster, and a surgeon's mate, and to have one surgeon-major,
one quartermaster-sergeant, a drum major and a fife major, and to be composed
of nine
companies, viz., 8 battalion companies, to consist of a captain, two
lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer, a fifer
and 66 privates
each, and one rifle company, to consist of a captain, three lieutenants,
four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, one fifer and 80 privates.
On 12 July 1776 the Committee of Safety ordered that arms be taken from
all non-associators and given to the militia or Continental Line.374
The state was to
pay only for such arms as were serviceable, or which could be made
son conveniently. The remainder would be held until the owners became
associators or
until Congress should decide what to do with them.375 In its
circular letter to all county commissioners regarding the militia the Committee
instructed that, "by
the resolve of Congress, the militia is not to be kept out longer than
six weeks" at one time while in local service.376 The state set price
for meals served by
innkeepers to soldiers or militiamen on actual service. The state
would pay them "the sum of six Pence for each meal, with one pint of Cider
or
Small-Beer."377 On 24 July 1776 the legislature established the
Committee of Safety. It ordered that freemen and their sons should
be trained in the use of
arms for the defense of the state by enrolling them in a militia.
The militia was to have the right to elect its own officers holding the
rank of colonel and other
inferior officers.
Meanwhile, the province decided
that it must create a frame of government which adequately provided for
independent and sovereign government. The
Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 provided,
That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves
and the State; and as standing armies in the time of peace are dangerous
to liberty,
they ought not to be kept up. And that the military should be kept
under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power. . . .
[and] That every member of
society hath a right to be protected in the enjoyment of life, liberty
and property, and is therefore bound to contribute his proportion towards
the expense of that
protection, and yield his personal service when necessary, or an equivalent
thereto.378
The first Assembly under the newly created state constitution met in
Philadelphia on 28 November 1776. Among the first messages it received
was an urgent
letter from George Washington asking that associators be formed into
regular militia. It legitimatized the Committee of Safety.
In late November 1776 the
legislature prepared new legislation dealing with the militia.
All white, free males between the ages of eighteen and fifty-three were
made subject to the
provisions of the militia law. The act did create a list of professions
exempted from militia service.379 Almost immediately exemptions were
created such
tradesmen as might be usefully employed in making military equipment
provided only that those exempted be actually employed at their respective
trades.
Other political authorities demanded that they be included in the exemption
list.380 It imposed a fine of £3/10/0 on non-associators
for each militia muster
missed. Apprentices were generally exempted from actual military
service unless their masters granted them a certificate of participation.
Apprentices were to
drill at practice.381 A non-associating master who failed to
have his apprentice at militia muster, or who attempted to prevent his
apprentice from mustering,
was subject to a fine. Parents were made responsible for the
attendance of their minor sons who were between the ages of sixteen and
twenty-one years of age.
Sons not of the military age could serve instead of their fathers.382
The new militia law conformed the
traditional county-based organization found in almost all provinces in
colonial times. The City of Philadelphia took
precedence over the County of Philadelphia, and the other counties
lined up according to date of erection.383 An officer from the City
of Philadelphia
outranked an officer of the same rank from any other locality.
The county lieutenant, constable, sheriff, or other responsible local official
enumerated those
subject to military service. The counties were formed into individual
military districts of between 440 and 680 prospective militiamen.
Although the state House
of Representatives initially nominated county officers, nearly all
officers during the Revolution in Pennsylvania were democratically elected
by the enlisted
men, just as they had been for nearly two centuries in New England.
By law, higher offices had to be filled by freeholders.384
On 2 December 1776 a group calling itself "The Real Whigs" recommended to the Council of Safety that,
a Militia Law be enacted, Every Person between the Ages of 16 and 50
years be ordered out under Arms for the Defence of this State . . . that
it be
recommended that all Persons be ordered out except those who from their
Religious denominations are uniformly known to be conscientiously scrupulous
against bearing arms in any case whatsoever. . . .385
Period documents suggest that many
Pennsylvanians viewed the pacifist members of the Society of Friends as
little better than United Empire Loyalists.
Most Society members had opposed the Declaration of Independence on
the ground that it would inevitably to bloodshed. Their influence
was still great on
provincial politics. Once independence had been proclaimed most
Society members warmly embraced the patriot cause. When the inevitable
clash came the
Society retained its firm stand against military enlistment and against
the payment of taxes that would be used primarily or exclusively for military
purposes. The
men were to refuse to do any militia service, leading to the charges
of disloyalty being brought against the Society in general. Three
times the provincial
legislature passed militia laws which levied severe fines on all those
who failed to appear at militia muster.386 The Society gained few
friends and little respect
when several local meeting houses in Delaware and Chester Counties
expelled over 110 men for serving in the patriot militia. By contrast,
only two men from
the same meeting houses joined with the English army or Tory militia.387
The Pennsylvania militia was initially
to protect Philadelphia. On 19 June 1777 Colonel Lewis Willis wrote
to Charles Gates that "Governor Mifflin will
have 7000 or 8000 Pennsylvania Militia on the south side of the Delaware
to oppose the enemy if they make for Philadelphia."388 However, when
General
Howe occupied Philadelphia in 1777 the militia played no significant
role in defending their home turf. James Innes, writing to Virginia
Governor Thomas
Jefferson on 21 October 1780, was a critical witness to the neglect
and absence of the Philadelphia militia. He thought he knew the reason
why it had failed to
resist the occupation of the city. Men flee to the immediate
protection of their families when their homes are threatened by actual
invasion rather than joining
with their neighbors in making a stand against the invading army.
During my little experience in the Northern Army I learnt by observation
one Truth -- which I ever found invariable -- which was that no aid of
militia could ever
be drawn from the part of the Country immediately invaded. . . . This
was truly the case with the now-famed New Jersey militia in 1776-1777.
In 1777 I very well
remember, when Sir William Howe's Army was on the Banks of the Schuylkill,
the populus city of Philadelphia and the thickly inhabited Counties immediately
around it, did not furnish 300 men altogether to General Washington's
Army. Yet I observe that the other Day Governor Reed marched 3000
men from the city of
Philadelphia only, to join our army, in offensive operations against
New York. I mention these instances only to evince the propriety
of the observations I have
made above, and to shew too, the impolicy of estimating in the number
requisite to repel the invading foe, the militia on the Spot of Invasion.389
In May 1778 Congress ordered that
a dozen companies of rangers be raised in Virginia and Pennsylvania "for
the protection of and operation on the
frontier." Each soldier and non-commissioned officer was to supply
his own blanket, clothing, musket or rifle and accoutrements.390
The reason for the
formation of rangers soon became apparent to all. In June 1778
Colonel John Butler, superintendent of the Six Nations, led a mixed force
of 1000 Amerindians
and a detachment of Sir John Johnson's Royal Greens, a tory unit, into
northeastern Pennsylvania. After inflicting depravations on a few
families the mixed
force secured the surrender of Fort Jenkins in the area in northeastern
Pennsylvania, then jointly claimed by Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
On 2 July Fort
Jenkins, occupied by a Connecticut militia force under Colonel Zebulon
Butler (1731-1795) and Lt. Col. Lararus Stewart gathered at Forty Fort.
On 3 July the
Connecticut force sortied out against Butler's force, but, partly due
to misinterpreted orders, was defeated. Butler paid £10
each for 277 scalps taken from the
Connecticut militia. Those who were not immediately killed died
writhing in pain as the Amerindians tortured and burned them.391"
Above from http://www.committee.org/PCOS23Pennsylvania.htm
Part of The Provincial Committees of Safety of the American Revolution
BY AGNES HUNT, PH. D.
mainpage http://www.committee.org/PCOSindex.htm#New Jersey
The Militia {this same source found better for copy at http://www.skepticfiles.org/almanac/minut2pa.htm]
History
of the Militia in America - pt3
"3.6 How did the militia change in the period 1774-1775?
A. The militia were revitalized and reorganized in the
1770's by the colonies to provide a force to counter the
British Army in the growing constitutional crisis over the
colonies.
"In September 1774 the Continental Congress endorsed a
resolution from Suffolk County, Massachusetts, calling for
the colonies to reorganize the militias under leadership
friendly to the "rights of the people," setting in motion a
series of provincial actions that made the militia the
cornerstone of armed resistance to British policy through
the winter of 1775. Massachusetts moved first to revive the
militia's ancient function as the armed guarantor of the civil
constitution. In October 1774, the provincial congress
instructed local committees of safety to assume
responsibility for the training, supply, and mobilization of
the colony's militia system. It also directed the citizens in
their capacity as militiamen, and "with due deliberation and
patriotic regard for the public service," to elect their own
company officers. Those chosen in local voting were to
elect regimental officers to command the militia at the
county level. The provincial congress retained the power to
appoint general officers, ensuring that the military order
remained ultimately subordinate to civil authority.
"Resolving "that a well-regulated Militia, composed of the
gentlemen, freeholders, and other freemen, is the natural
strength and only stable security of a free Government," the
Maryland convention acted in December 1774 to reorganize
its militia under a popularly elected officers corp. ...Six
month later, in an effort to provide a source of manpower for
the newly formed Continental army, Congress recommended
that all states adopt the republican principles embodied in
the Massachusetts militia structure. ...By early fall [1775]
provincial assemblies in Maryland, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Hampshire, and North Carolina
had taken steps to comply with the congressional
recommendations. - Cress, pp. 48-49
3.7 How could a Revolutionary militia be under civilian
leadership? They were, after all, in revolt against the King.
A. The militia of Massachusetts were definitely supervised
by the shadow government that the colonials had set up and
which would eventually become the Patriot government of
Massachusetts.
Some militia historians believe that the 'subverting' of the
colonial militias by the Patriots was key to the success of
the American Revolution.[MP]
......
3.9 But during the Revolutionary war, the militia were
LOCALLY controlled for the most, each unit formed, armed
and led by the local elected commander. Only the wealthier
states that could afford to appoint provisional state militia
officers did so. Everyone else fended for themselves.
A.This is not an accurate characterization of the militia as a
whole. To an extent, of course, every militia unit was locally
controlled, because the militia was geographically divided.
A militia general controlled the militia in his area of the
state, for instance. However, all the state militias were
tightly controlled by the state governments, which called
out militia units for duty, drafted militiamen into the
Continental Army or for other purposes, set tables of
organization and equipment, maintained a system of military
justice, and in every other way organized the activities of
the militiamen during the revolution.
Units were not formed, armed and led by "local elected
commanders." They were formed by the states, armed by a
combination of individual action and the states, and how
they were led depended entirely on state law. Some states
appointed all militia officers. Other states allowed elections.
But again, the key is that the state determined the
procedure.[MP]
3.10 How did the militias do during the American
Revolutionary War?
A. The militia's performance on the battlefield against
British troops was only so-so, but nevertheless the militia
was key to American victory. Patriot militias offered a ready
source of manpower in every region, supplementing the
Continental Army. Moreover, they performed a signal
service in keeping Loyalists in line, thus handing over
control of the countryside to Patriot forces.[MP]
And MUCH more"
The Pennsylvania Militia 1. The Quaker Origins
"ennsylvania was founded on pacifist Quaker principles. Still,
it had to maintain good order which required the application of force on
occasion. Many
Quaker merchants supplied rum to the Amerindians, inducing them
to commit atrocities against the colonists as early as 1682. Some
Quakers were willing to
allow for a military-police force to stop the illicit rum trade.1
Moreover, the Quakers had a brutal system of criminal law which mandated
the use of force in
punishment. Early in the colony's history there were no less
than a dozen offenses which were punishable by death, including riotiuous
assembly,2 an act
usually suppressed by militia or other military force."
AND
"5. Pennsylvania in the Revolution
On 15 July 1774, the Pennsylvania
General Assembly resolved "that the inhabitants of the colonies are entitled
to the same rights and liberties within these
Colonies that the Subjects born in England are entitled within that
realm." Resolve number four named the right to keep and bear arms
in defense of home,
family and self.345 The inhabitants of western Pennsylvania
met at the town of Hannah's Town, destroyed a few years later by Tories
and Indians under Simon
Girty, and resolved that,
First, to arm and form ourselves into a regiment or regiments, and choose officers to command us in such proportions as shall be thought necessary.
Second, We will, with
alacrity, endeavor to make ourselves masters of the manual exercises and
such evolutions as may be necessary to enable us to act in
a body in concert; and to that end we will meet at such times and
places as shall be appointed, either for the companies or the regiment,
by the officers
commanding each when chosen.
Third, that should our
country be invaded by a foreign enemy, or should troops be sent from Great
Britain to enforce the late arbitrary acts of its parliament,
we will cheerfully submit to military discipline, and to the utmost
of our power, resist and oppose them . . . and will coincide with any plan
that may be formed for
the defense of America in general, or Pennsylvania in particular.346
On 30 June 1775 the Pennsylvania
Committee of Safety met at Philadelphia to take action of the revitalization
of the militia.347 It ordered that each
county inventory its stores of arms and assigned to each county
a quota of arms that it was to produce wherewith to arm the militia.
The county assessors and
commissioners were to take a census of potential militiamen and
make certain that they were armed and equipped. 348 York County had
a good military
organization, while the Philadelphia militia was not reordered until
April 1775 and the frontier county of Bedford was not reconstituted until
May 1775.349
Richard Penn, son of Pennsylvania Governor Richard Penn, left for
England in the summer of 1775, carrying with him a petition prepared by
John Dickinson,
addressing the colonial grievances. In November 1775 the House
of Lords brought Penn in to answer certain questions concerning the military
strength of the
colony.
Q. What force has the Province raised?
Penn. When I left Pennsylvania they had 20,000 men in arms embodied, but not in pay, and 4500 men since raised.
Q. What were these 20,000? militia or what?
Penn. They were volunteers throughout the Province.
Q. What were the 4500 men?
Penn. They were Minute Men, when upon service in pay.
Q. Are they included in the 20,000 men or exclusive of them?
Penn. Enclusive.
Q. Doeth the Province contribute money besides to the Continental Army?
Penn. They do.
Q. How many men fit to bear arms is it supposed there are in Pennsylvania?
Penn. 60,000.
Q. What proportion of these 60,000 men do you believe would willingly come forth, if necessary, in the present contest?
Penn. All, I believe.350
Despite the fact that the Quakers
in Pennsylvania were opposed to slavery and aided persons of color in every
possible way, blacks were unwelcome in the
Quaker state's militia. In 1775 the Philadelphia Committee
of Safety ordered that the notorious Indian Trader David Owen be sent to
the workhouse because he
was a "person suspected of enlisting Negroes."351
After the legislature enacted
the militia law militiamen could petition the Committee of Safety in Philadelphia
for an appointment as an officer. The text of
one such petition reads,
To the Honorable, the Committee of Safety of the Province of Pennsylvania, December the 21st 1775, Easton.
The Petition of John Craig of Northampton County sheweth, That your
Petitioner is desirous of entering into the Service in the Militia and
prays to be appointed
a Lieutenant in one of the Battalions now to be raised, and doubts
not to Assist in raising a Company in the said County. John Craig.
Craig's letter was accompanied by a letter signed by "three prominent
citizens of Easton" which attested to his character and patriotism.
The recommendation
concluded that Craig was "a Sober Active Spirited Man of Good Character
and [we[] think him fit to command a Company as Lieutenant."352
The scarcity of firearms prompted
the Pennsylvania Assembly in the summer of 1775 to order 5000 stands of
arms with bayonets and accoutrements at a
cost of £35,000. The Assembly agreed to pay the
bill with an issue of bills of credit.353 This deficiency of arms
combined with the presumed inability of
"undisciplined & half-armed Farmers and Tradesmen" to stand
against trained British soldiers armed with bayonets caused some members
of the Committee of
Safety to recommend that militia be armed with pikes. "It
has been regretted by some great Soldiers," the Committee argued, "that
the use of pikes was ever laid
aside, and many experienced Officers of the present Times agree."
The Committee then resolved that patterns pike pikes, 14 feet in length
and weighing 7 or 8
pounds, be ordered. Such pikes would "reach beyond the Bayonet
and the compound Force of the Files, every man laying hold of the presented
Pikes,
rendering a charge made with them insupportable by any Battalion
armed only in the common Manner." Pikes had generally been considered
obsolete in
America since c.1650, and had been employed only in New England.
Several cutlers agreed to make a pattern pike. "Each Pikeman [is
also] to have a cutting
sword, and where it can be procured, a Pistol."354
On 18 July 1775 Congress set
standards for arms which were eventually accepted in nearly all states.
Pennsylvania's version of the requirement for arms
and equipment reads as follows.
Each soldier shall be furnished with a good musket that will carry
a one ounce ball, with a bayonet, steel ramrod, worm priming wire and brush,
fitted thereunto,
a cutting sword or tomahawk, a cartouch box that will contain 23
rounds of cartouches, 12 flints and a knapsack. . . . Each man being provided
with one pound
of gunpowder and four pounds of ball fitted to his gun. . . . That
it be recommended to the Makers of Arms for the use of the Militia that
they make good,
substantial muskets with barrels 3 1/2 feet in length, that will
carry a one ounce ball, and fitted with a good bayonet and steel ramrod.355
To reduce the danger from tory
saboteurs the Committee of Safety ordered "that no Person be permitted
to pass over the Ferries on the Delaware and
Schuylkill [Rivers] from this City without special orders."356
In July 1775 the Committee of Safety of Lancaster County ordered that each
adult male inhabitant
furnish himself with a firearm in good working order. Failure
to do so would be construed as the act of a non-associator.357 In
November 1775 the
Pennsylvania Assembly drew up resolutions which converted the quasi-legal
Associators into a legally authorized militia and also authorized the enlistment
of
as many as wished to support the patriot cause.358 On 18 July
1775 the Pennsylvania Assembly ordered "that all the Militia take proper
care to acquire military
skill and be well prepared for defence by each man being provided
with a pound of gunpowder and 4 pounds of ball fitted to his gun."359
The law also
provided that
one fourth part of the Militia in every county be selected for Minute
Men, of such persons who are willing to enter into this necessary service,
formed into
Companies and Battalions . . . to be ready at the shortest notice
to march any place where their assistance may be required for the defence
of a neighbouring
county, and as these Minute Men may eventually be called to action
before the whole Body of Militia are sufficiently trained, it is recommended
that a more
particular and diligent attention be paid to their instruction in
military discipline.360
In 1775 Pennsylvania was asked
to contribute troops to move against the English in Canada. A significant
number was raised in Lancaster, one of whom
was John Joseph Henry. He left behind an important account
of the failure of that invasion.361 He left a vivid description of
a typical volunteer.
Each man of the three companies bore a rifle-barrelled gun, a tomahawk,
or small axe, and a long knife, usually called a 'scalping knife' . . .
His under dress . . .
was covered by a deep ash colored hunting shirt, leggings and moccasins
. . . the silly fashion of those times, for riflemen to ape the manners
of savages.362
In April 1776 the Pennsylvania
Committee of Safety ordered General Anthony Wayne to fill the depleted
ranks of his Fourth Pennsylvania Battalion with
recruits drawn from the militia.363 In May 1776 Edward Hand
asked for authorization to form a special ranging company of riflemen,
to consist of seven
companies of specially trained men who exhibited unusual prowess
with the rifle.364 The Pennsylvania Assembly then created a set of
instructions for
recruiting riflemen.
1. You are to enlist no man who is not able-bodied, healthy and active. . . .
2. You are to have a great regard for sobriety and moral character in general.
3. Inlist no man who is not provided with a good rifle gun, perfectly fit for service, and very expert in the use of it.
4. You are not to enlist any indentured servant, nor, without leave of his mistress or master, any apprentice.
5. You [, the Colonel of the Regiment, are] . . . to inspect your men and reject such as do not answer your instructions.
6. Every man is to be enlisted by his taking . . . an oath or affirmation
in the following words, "I, --, . . . will to the utmost of
my power, defend the rights and
liberties of this Province and of America in general; and will oppose
and resist any force or enemies that shall act or be employed against them.
So help me
God.
7. You shall use all diligence in completing your company.365
News of the clash between the
patriots and the British army at Lexington and Concord reached Philadelphia
within a few days, brought by courier sent by
the Massachusetts Committee of Safety. The reaction in Pennsylvania
to "the recent events" near Boston was similar to that noted in other colonies.
A
gentleman in Philadelphia wrote to a merchant in London that "the
Rage Militaire, as the French call a passion for arms has taken possession
of the whole
continent." The city of Philadelphia had increased its numbers
by recruiting 4000 volunteers, among which were 300 Quakers. "Every
County in our Province is
awakened and several thousand Riflemen on our frontiers are in readiness."
The militia was prepared to guard all public meetings.366 Another
correspondent
confirmed the first. "Almost every man can produce a Firelock
. . . and I verily believe that at this moment there are 5000 men under
arms in this City." He
noted that "even the Friends had laid aside all scruples" excepting
the elders "of whom such service is not expected" anyway because of age
and infirmity. All
men showed "utmost assiduity" in acquiring military discipline.367
Even the youth had been stirred into patriotic action. "A number
of boys, from the age of 13
to 16 went out this morning to the place where inhabitants muster
to learn the [militia] discipline and most earnestly requested they might
be admitted into the
body."368 The political pulpit joined in. Dr Smith "provost
of our college who seldom stands in his own light, is become a flaming
patriot." He preached a fiery
sermon based on Joshua XXII, verse 22, "The Lord God of Gods he
knoweth, and Israel shall know, if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression
against the Lord, save
us not this day."369
In early spring 1776 a man from
Philadelphia wrote to his friend in London and described the state of affairs
in Philadelphia. "Pennsylvania is still
unattacked," he wrote, but "our river is defended." He described
the elaborate defensive preparations, including batteries of guns, strong
chains across the
harbor and a number of floating batteries and ships. The immediate
defense of the colony would be left to "from 30,000 to 40,000 militia."370
Many of those volunteers moved
north to the assistance of the northern colonies. In the summer of
1776 the New York Mercury described the colorful
uniforms of the Pennsylvania militiamen who arrived outside New
York city, in response to General Washington's urgent call for men.
They came in hunting
shirts with leather leggings, some in forest green coats, some with
yellow and white jackets and trousers and others in homespun linsey-woolsey.
The newspaper
pronounced them "hearty fellows" capable of holding their own with
any group of men anywhere.371
In early June the Continental
Congress ordered Pennsylvania to supply 6000 men to the Flying Camp at
Philadelphia to supplement the regular army.372
The Assembly met in June 1776, with delegates present from all counties.
It resolved somewhat optimistically,373
That this Conference do recommend to the Committee and Associators
of this Province to embody 4500 militia, which, with the 1500 men now in
the pay of this
Province, will be the quota of this Province, as required by Congress.
Resolved, unanimously, That the 4500 militia recommended to be raised be
formed into
six battalions, each battalion to be commanded by a colonel, one
lieutenant-colonel. one major; the staff to consist of a chaplin, a surgeon,
an adjutant, a
quartermaster, and a surgeon's mate, and to have one surgeon-major,
one quartermaster-sergeant, a drum major and a fife major, and to be composed
of nine
companies, viz., 8 battalion companies, to consist of a captain,
two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer,
a fifer and 66 privates
each, and one rifle company, to consist of a captain, three lieutenants,
four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, one fifer and 80 privates.
On 12 July 1776 the Committee of Safety ordered that arms be taken
from all non-associators and given to the militia or Continental Line.374
The state was to
pay only for such arms as were serviceable, or which could be made
son conveniently. The remainder would be held until the owners became
associators or
until Congress should decide what to do with them.375 In its
circular letter to all county commissioners regarding the militia the Committee
instructed that, "by
the resolve of Congress, the militia is not to be kept out longer
than six weeks" at one time while in local service.376 The state
set price for meals served by
innkeepers to soldiers or militiamen on actual service. The
state would pay them "the sum of six Pence for each meal, with one pint
of Cider or
Small-Beer."377 On 24 July 1776 the legislature established
the Committee of Safety. It ordered that freemen and their sons should
be trained in the use of
arms for the defense of the state by enrolling them in a militia.
The militia was to have the right to elect its own officers holding the
rank of colonel and other
inferior officers.
Meanwhile, the province decided
that it must create a frame of government which adequately provided for
independent and sovereign government. The
Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 provided,
That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves
and the State; and as standing armies in the time of peace are dangerous
to liberty,
they ought not to be kept up. And that the military should be kept
under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power. . . .
[and] That every member of
society hath a right to be protected in the enjoyment of life, liberty
and property, and is therefore bound to contribute his proportion towards
the expense of that
protection, and yield his personal service when necessary, or an
equivalent thereto.378
The first Assembly under the newly created state constitution met
in Philadelphia on 28 November 1776. Among the first messages it
received was an urgent
letter from George Washington asking that associators be formed
into regular militia. It legitimatized the Committee of Safety.
In late November 1776 the
legislature prepared new legislation dealing with the militia.
All white, free males between the ages of eighteen and fifty-three were
made subject to the
provisions of the militia law. The act did create a list of
professions exempted from militia service.379 Almost immediately
exemptions were created such
tradesmen as might be usefully employed in making military equipment
provided only that those exempted be actually employed at their respective
trades.
Other political authorities demanded that they be included in the
exemption list.380 It imposed a fine of £3/10/0 on non-associators
for each militia muster
missed. Apprentices were generally exempted from actual military
service unless their masters granted them a certificate of participation.
Apprentices were to
drill at practice.381 A non-associating master who failed
to have his apprentice at militia muster, or who attempted to prevent his
apprentice from mustering,
was subject to a fine. Parents were made responsible for the
attendance of their minor sons who were between the ages of sixteen and
twenty-one years of age.
Sons not of the military age could serve instead of their fathers.382
The new militia law conformed
the traditional county-based organization found in almost all provinces
in colonial times. The City of Philadelphia took
precedence over the County of Philadelphia, and the other counties
lined up according to date of erection.383 An officer from the City
of Philadelphia
outranked an officer of the same rank from any other locality.
The county lieutenant, constable, sheriff, or other responsible local official
enumerated those
subject to military service. The counties were formed into
individual military districts of between 440 and 680 prospective militiamen.
Although the state House
of Representatives initially nominated county officers, nearly all
officers during the Revolution in Pennsylvania were democratically elected
by the enlisted
men, just as they had been for nearly two centuries in New England.
By law, higher offices had to be filled by freeholders.384
On 2 December 1776 a group calling itself "The Real Whigs" recommended to the Council of Safety that,
a Militia Law be enacted, Every Person between the Ages of 16 and
50 years be ordered out under Arms for the Defence of this State . . .
that it be
recommended that all Persons be ordered out except those who from
their Religious denominations are uniformly known to be conscientiously
scrupulous
against bearing arms in any case whatsoever. . . .385
Period documents suggest that
many Pennsylvanians viewed the pacifist members of the Society of Friends
as little better than United Empire Loyalists.
Most Society members had opposed the Declaration of Independence
on the ground that it would inevitably to bloodshed. Their influence
was still great on
provincial politics. Once independence had been proclaimed
most Society members warmly embraced the patriot cause. When the
inevitable clash came the
Society retained its firm stand against military enlistment and
against the payment of taxes that would be used primarily or exclusively
for military purposes. The
men were to refuse to do any militia service, leading to the charges
of disloyalty being brought against the Society in general. Three
times the provincial
legislature passed militia laws which levied severe fines on all
those who failed to appear at militia muster.386 The Society gained
few friends and little respect
when several local meeting houses in Delaware and Chester Counties
expelled over 110 men for serving in the patriot militia. By contrast,
only two men from
the same meeting houses joined with the English army or Tory militia.387
The Pennsylvania militia was
initially to protect Philadelphia. On 19 June 1777 Colonel Lewis
Willis wrote to Charles Gates that "Governor Mifflin will
have 7000 or 8000 Pennsylvania Militia on the south side of the
Delaware to oppose the enemy if they make for Philadelphia."388 However,
when General
Howe occupied Philadelphia in 1777 the militia played no significant
role in defending their home turf. James Innes, writing to Virginia
Governor Thomas
Jefferson on 21 October 1780, was a critical witness to the neglect
and absence of the Philadelphia militia. He thought he knew the reason
why it had failed to
resist the occupation of the city. Men flee to the immediate
protection of their families when their homes are threatened by actual
invasion rather than joining
with their neighbors in making a stand against the invading army.
During my little experience in the Northern Army I learnt by observation
one Truth -- which I ever found invariable -- which was that no aid of
militia could ever
be drawn from the part of the Country immediately invaded. . . .
This was truly the case with the now-famed New Jersey militia in 1776-1777.
In 1777 I very well
remember, when Sir William Howe's Army was on the Banks of the Schuylkill,
the populus city of Philadelphia and the thickly inhabited Counties immediately
around it, did not furnish 300 men altogether to General Washington's
Army. Yet I observe that the other Day Governor Reed marched 3000
men from the city of
Philadelphia only, to join our army, in offensive operations against
New York. I mention these instances only to evince the propriety
of the observations I have
made above, and to shew too, the impolicy of estimating in the number
requisite to repel the invading foe, the militia on the Spot of Invasion.389
In May 1778 Congress ordered
that a dozen companies of rangers be raised in Virginia and Pennsylvania
"for the protection of and operation on the
frontier." Each soldier and non-commissioned officer was to
supply his own blanket, clothing, musket or rifle and accoutrements.390
The reason for the
formation of rangers soon became apparent to all. In June
1778 Colonel John Butler, superintendent of the Six Nations, led a mixed
force of 1000 Amerindians
and a detachment of Sir John Johnson's Royal Greens, a tory unit,
into northeastern Pennsylvania. After inflicting depravations on
a few families the mixed
force secured the surrender of Fort Jenkins in the area in northeastern
Pennsylvania, then jointly claimed by Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
On 2 July Fort
Jenkins, occupied by a Connecticut militia force under Colonel Zebulon
Butler (1731-1795) and Lt. Col. Lararus Stewart gathered at Forty Fort.
On 3 July the
Connecticut force sortied out against Butler's force, but, partly
due to misinterpreted orders, was defeated. Butler paid £10
each for 277 scalps taken from the
Connecticut militia. Those who were not immediately killed
died writhing in pain as the Amerindians tortured and burned them.391
" etc