The 9th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Line was created on November 1, 1776. The unit served until January 1, 1783 when, in compliance with the general order of December 24, 1782, the unit was disbanded.

The regiment had two, successive commanders: Colonel James Wesson, from November 1, 1776 to January 1, 1781; and Colonel Henry Jackson

Henry Jackson

Henry Jackson may refer to:* Henry Jackson , English classicist at Cambridge University* Henry Jackson , Massachusetts soldier in the American Revolutionary War* Henry Jackson Henry Jackson may refer to:* Henry Jackson (classicist) (1839–1921), English classicist at Cambridge University* Henry...

, from the latter date to January 1, 1783. The regiment was a part of Learned's Brigade, which consisted of the 2nd Mass

2nd Massachusetts Regiment

The 2nd Massachusetts Regiment was a unit of the Massachusetts Line in the 1777 establishment of the Continental Army. It was a successor to a number of Massachusetts provincial regiments from the army's 1775 establishment , and was known as the 23rd Continental Regiment during the 1776...

, 8th Mass

8th Massachusetts Regiment

The 8th Massachusetts Regiment also known as 16th Continental Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel Sargent at Cambridge, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill, New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton and the Battle of Saratoga...

, the 9th and, some say, the 1st Canadian Regiment

1st Canadian Regiment

The 1st Canadian Regiment, was raised by James Livingston to support Colonial efforts in the American Revolutionary War during the invasion of Quebec...

. When in battle formation, the regiment was always positioned in the second line of the left wing, between the 3rd Mass

3rd Massachusetts Regiment

The 3rd Massachusetts Regiment also known as the 24th Continental Regiment was raised, on April 23, 1775, under Colonel William Heath outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill, Battle of Trois-Rivières, Battle of Valcour Island and the Battle of...

 and the 6th Mass

6th Massachusetts Regiment

The 6th Massachusetts Regiment also known as the 4th Continental Regiment was raised on April 23, 1775 under Colonel John Nixon outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Bunker Hill, New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton and the Battle of...

. Overall command was by Major General Stirling.

The regiment served, as did all Massachusetts

Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...

 units, in what was known as the Northern Department during the war. It participated at Fort Stanwix

Fort Stanwix

Fort Stanwix was a colonial fort whose construction was started on August 26, 1758, by British General John Stanwix, at the location of present-day Rome, New York, but was not completed until about 1762. The fort guarded a portage known as the Oneida Carrying Place during the French and Indian War...

, Saratoga

Battle of Saratoga

The Battles of Saratoga conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American War of Independence and are generally regarded as a turning point in the war. The battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, south of Saratoga, New York...

 and Valley Forge

Valley Forge

Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...

. At Valley Forge (1777–1778), under the command of Col. Wesson and assisted by Lt. Col. James Mellen, it was incorporated by Lt. Col. James Mellen into Major General DeKalb's

Johann de Kalb

Johann von Robais, Baron de Kalb , born Johann Kalb, was a German soldier who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.-Early life:...

 division.

It is known that the issued regimental coat should have had red facings but, due to the shortage of dyed material, buff facings were most likely substituted. Recent information suggests blue coats with white buff facings, green or plaid waistcoats, buff trousers and buckled shoes. Research of the regiment is ongoing.

The Ninth Massachusetts is a group of revolutionary war reenactors

Historical reenactment

Historical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire...

. The group formed in 1975 in Braintree, Massachusetts, under its original name the Braintree 3rd Volunteer Militia. During the "great event" celebration, of July 4, 1976, a call went out to recreate the major events of the revolution. The group acquired the correct clothing and equipment of the American Continental Army. Thus began the Ninth Massachusetts Regiment of Foot.

External links

• 9th Mass re-enactors
• Bibliography of the Continental Army in Massachusetts compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History