Moses Rawlings
Encyclopedia
Moses Rawlings served in the Continental Army
during the American Revolutionary War
, most notably at the Battle of Fort Washington
. He attained the rank of colonel before leaving the military in 1779. He later served as the State Commissioner for Prisoners in Maryland.
's Independent Rifle Company from Frederick County, Maryland. However, shortly afterward Captain Cresap died, and Rawlings replaced him as company commander. On June 17, 1776, the company was joined to the newly formed Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment
, and Rawlings was named the second in command and given the rank of lieutenant colonel. When the regimental commander, Col. Hugh Stephenson, died in August of 1776 Rawlings then took command of the regiment.
During the Battle of Fort Washington
the Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment, commonly referred to as Rawlings' Regiment and made up of about 250 riflemen at the battle, was positioned about a half mile north of Fort Washington on Manhattan Island. From November 2 to November 14, 1776, Rawlings' men fought against German Hessian mercenaries. However, on the 16th they were finally pushed back to Fort Washington, which surrendered to the Germans shortly afterward. Rawlings was taken prisoner, as Washington
wrote a letter on January 14, 1777, requesting Rawlings' release from Joshua Loring as part of a prisoner exchange.
Throughout the remainder of his military career, Rawlings often wrote to General Washington concerning pay for his soldiers and recruits, as he had difficulty paying his soldiers. Washington's response often included requests that Rawlings use his own money to pay his soldiers until more money could be obtained from Congress.
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...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, most notably at the Battle of Fort Washington
Battle of Fort Washington
The Battle of Fort Washington was fought in the American Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain on November 16, 1776. It was a decisive British victory, forcing the entire garrison of Fort Washington to surrender....
. He attained the rank of colonel before leaving the military in 1779. He later served as the State Commissioner for Prisoners in Maryland.
American Revolutionary War
Rawlings was appointed as first lieutenant in Capt. Michael CresapMichael Cresap
Michael Cresap was a frontiersman born in Maryland. He was the son of the pioneer Thomas Cresap. He spent part of his adult years in the Ohio Country as a trader and land developer. He led several raids against Indians whom he believed were hostile to white settlement. Logan of the Mingo Indians...
's Independent Rifle Company from Frederick County, Maryland. However, shortly afterward Captain Cresap died, and Rawlings replaced him as company commander. On June 17, 1776, the company was joined to the newly formed Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment
Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment
The Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment, most commonly known as Rawlings' Regiment in period documents, was organized in June 1776 as a specialized light infantry unit of riflemen in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War...
, and Rawlings was named the second in command and given the rank of lieutenant colonel. When the regimental commander, Col. Hugh Stephenson, died in August of 1776 Rawlings then took command of the regiment.
During the Battle of Fort Washington
Battle of Fort Washington
The Battle of Fort Washington was fought in the American Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain on November 16, 1776. It was a decisive British victory, forcing the entire garrison of Fort Washington to surrender....
the Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment, commonly referred to as Rawlings' Regiment and made up of about 250 riflemen at the battle, was positioned about a half mile north of Fort Washington on Manhattan Island. From November 2 to November 14, 1776, Rawlings' men fought against German Hessian mercenaries. However, on the 16th they were finally pushed back to Fort Washington, which surrendered to the Germans shortly afterward. Rawlings was taken prisoner, as Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
wrote a letter on January 14, 1777, requesting Rawlings' release from Joshua Loring as part of a prisoner exchange.
Throughout the remainder of his military career, Rawlings often wrote to General Washington concerning pay for his soldiers and recruits, as he had difficulty paying his soldiers. Washington's response often included requests that Rawlings use his own money to pay his soldiers until more money could be obtained from Congress.