Malcolm's Additional Continental Regiment
Encyclopedia
Malcolm's Additional Continental Regiment was one of several "additional" regiments
authorized by the Second Continental Congress
for the Continental Army
. The regiment's colonel
was William Malcolm, a wealthy New York
merchant, and its lieutenant colonel was Aaron Burr
.
; earlier independent companies established by Malcom saw service at the 1776 Battle of White Plains
. The regiment was assigned June 27, 1777 to the Highlands Department, where it participated in the defense of the Hudson River. On September 23, 1777 it was assigned to the Main Army, and spent the winter at Valley Forge
. One of its lieutenants, Frederick Gotthold Enslin
, was drummed out of the army in February 1778 for allegedly attempting sodomy
. The regiment next saw action in the 1778 Battle of Monmouth
, and then spent its remaining time in the Highlands Department, where Colonel Malcolm was at times commander at West Point.
The regiment was broken up as follows: the Pennsylvania companies on January 13, 1779 were assigned to the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment
, and the New York companies on April 1, 1779 were assigned to Spencer's Additional Continental Regiment.
Extra Continental regiments and Additional Continental regiments
The Extra Continental regiments and Additional Continental regiments of the American Revolutionary War differ from each other and from all other Continental Army infantry regiments by the manner in which they formed...
authorized by the Second Continental Congress
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that started meeting on May 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, soon after warfare in the American Revolutionary War had begun. It succeeded the First Continental Congress, which met briefly during 1774,...
for the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
. The regiment's colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
was William Malcolm, a wealthy New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
merchant, and its lieutenant colonel was Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician...
.
History
The regiment was authorized January 7, 1777 for service in the Continental ArmyContinental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
; earlier independent companies established by Malcom saw service at the 1776 Battle of White Plains
Battle of White Plains
The Battle of White Plains was a battle in the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought on October 28, 1776, near White Plains, New York. Following the retreat of George Washington's Continental Army northward from New York City, British General William Howe landed...
. The regiment was assigned June 27, 1777 to the Highlands Department, where it participated in the defense of the Hudson River. On September 23, 1777 it was assigned to the Main Army, and spent the winter at 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:...
. One of its lieutenants, Frederick Gotthold Enslin
Frederick Gotthold Enslin
Frederick Gotthold Enslin was the focus of one of three possible cases of sodomy documented in the Continental Army under General George Washington. The case began with a charge against an ensign for slander against another soldier...
, was drummed out of the army in February 1778 for allegedly attempting sodomy
Sodomy
Sodomy is an anal or other copulation-like act, especially between male persons or between a man and animal, and one who practices sodomy is a "sodomite"...
. The regiment next saw action in the 1778 Battle of Monmouth
Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court...
, and then spent its remaining time in the Highlands Department, where Colonel Malcolm was at times commander at West Point.
The regiment was broken up as follows: the Pennsylvania companies on January 13, 1779 were assigned to the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment
11th Pennsylvania Regiment
-Summary:The 11th Pennsylvania Regiment was raised September 16, 1776 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth...
, and the New York companies on April 1, 1779 were assigned to Spencer's Additional Continental Regiment.