Stephen Moylan
Encyclopedia
Stephen Moylan was an Irish-American patriot leader during the American Revolutionary War
. He had several positions in the Continental Army including Muster-Master General, Secretary and Aide to General George Washington
, Quartermaster General, Commander of The Fourth Continental Light Dragoons and Commander of the Cavalry of the Continental Army
.
family in Cork
, Ireland
. His family sent him to be educated in Paris
. Moylan then worked in Lisbon
for three years in the family shipping firm. He settled in Philadelphia in 1768 to organize his own shipping firm. He was one of the organizers of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick
, an Irish-American fraternal organization, and served as its first president.
in 1775 and was appointed Muster-Master General on August 11, 1775. Although his experience in the shipping industry afforded the United States a well qualified ship outfitter, who would help fit out the first ships of the Continental Navy
. On March 5, 1776, he became secretary to General George Washington
. He was Promoted to colonel
and was appointed Quartermaster General
in the American Continental Army
on June 5, 1776. He resigned from this office on September 28, 1776. However, he continued to serve as a volunteer of General Washington's staff through December of 1776.
Moylan was appointed to command the 4th Continental Light Dragoons
, also known as Moylan's Horse on January 3, 1777 at Philadelphia. The regiment would be noted for taking the field in captured British Red Coats. However, they would see action in green coats at the Battle of Brandywine
on September 11, 1777 and the Battle of Germantown
on October 4, 1777 and end the year by protecting the Cantonment at Valley Forge
. Col. Moylan succeeded General Pulaski as Commander of the Cavalry in March 1778. Moylan's Horse would see action at the Battle of Monmouth
on June 28, 1778.
In the campaign of 1779 Col. Moylan and the 4th Dragoons would be stationed at Pound Ridge, New York
and see action when the British raided Norwalk, Connecticut
on July 11, 1779. Col. Moylan and the 4th Dragoons took part in the Battle of Springfield, New Jersey
on June 23, 1780 and General Anthony Wayne's expedition at Bull's Ferry, New Jersey on July 20, 1780. Col. Moylan commanded his Dragoons at the Siege of Yorktown
in October 1781, after which he was to take the cavalry to the Southern Campaign. However, his failing health caused him to leave the field and return to Philadelphia, where he constantly appealed to the Continental Congress
to man, equip and maintain the Continental Dragoon Regiments.
He was rewarded for his service by being breveted to brigadier general
on November 3, 1783.
Stephen Moylan died in Philadelphia, April 11, 1811, and is buried there in St. Mary's Churchyard. He was survived by his wife, Mary; his daughter, Elizabeth; and his brothers, John, James and Jasper.
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...
. He had several positions in the Continental Army including Muster-Master General, Secretary and Aide to General George 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...
, Quartermaster General, Commander of The Fourth Continental Light Dragoons and Commander of the Cavalry of 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...
.
Early life
Stephen Moylan was born to a prominent CatholicCatholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
family in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. His family sent him to be educated in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Moylan then worked in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
for three years in the family shipping firm. He settled in Philadelphia in 1768 to organize his own shipping firm. He was one of the organizers of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, or The Society of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for the Relief of Emigrants from Ireland, is an American social organization for Irish-Americans founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 17 , 1771.General Stephen Moylan was one of society's organizers and...
, an Irish-American fraternal organization, and served as its first president.
Revolution
Moylan joined the American 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...
in 1775 and was appointed Muster-Master General on August 11, 1775. Although his experience in the shipping industry afforded the United States a well qualified ship outfitter, who would help fit out the first ships of the Continental Navy
Continental Navy
The Continental Navy was the navy of the United States during the American Revolutionary War, and was formed in 1775. Through the efforts of the Continental Navy's patron, John Adams and vigorous Congressional support in the face of stiff opposition, the fleet cumulatively became relatively...
. On March 5, 1776, he became secretary to General George 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...
. He was Promoted to 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...
and was appointed Quartermaster General
Quartermaster general (USA)
The Quartermaster General of the United States Army is a general officer who is responsible for the Quartermaster Corps, the Quartermaster branch of the U.S. Army. The Quartermaster General does not command Quartermaster units, but is primarily focused on training, doctrine and professional...
in the American 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...
on June 5, 1776. He resigned from this office on September 28, 1776. However, he continued to serve as a volunteer of General Washington's staff through December of 1776.
Moylan was appointed to command the 4th Continental Light Dragoons
4th Continental Light Dragoons
The 4th Continental Light Dragoons also known as Moylan's Horse was raised on January 5, 1777 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army under Colonel Stephen Moylan...
, also known as Moylan's Horse on January 3, 1777 at Philadelphia. The regiment would be noted for taking the field in captured British Red Coats. However, they would see action in green coats at the Battle of Brandywine
Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine, also known as the Battle of the Brandywine or the Battle of Brandywine Creek, was fought between the American army of Major General George Washington and the British-Hessian army of General Sir William Howe on September 11, 1777. The British defeated the Americans and...
on September 11, 1777 and the Battle of Germantown
Battle of Germantown
The Battle of Germantown, a battle in the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War, was fought on October 4, 1777, at Germantown, Pennsylvania between the British army led by Sir William Howe and the American army under George Washington...
on October 4, 1777 and end the year by protecting the Cantonment 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:...
. Col. Moylan succeeded General Pulaski as Commander of the Cavalry in March 1778. Moylan's Horse would see action at the 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...
on June 28, 1778.
In the campaign of 1779 Col. Moylan and the 4th Dragoons would be stationed at Pound Ridge, New York
Pound Ridge, New York
Pound Ridge is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 5,104 at the 2010 census.The town is located in the eastern corner of the county, bordered by New Canaan, Connecticut, to the east, Stamford, Connecticut, to the south, Bedford, New York, to the west and...
and see action when the British raided Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
on July 11, 1779. Col. Moylan and the 4th Dragoons took part in the Battle of Springfield, New Jersey
Battle of Springfield (1780)
The Battle of Springfield was fought during the American Revolutionary War on June 23, 1780. After the Battle of Connecticut Farms, on June 7, 1780, had foiled Lieutenant General Wilhelm, Baron von Knyphausen’s expedition to attack General George Washington’s army at Morristown, New Jersey,...
on June 23, 1780 and General Anthony Wayne's expedition at Bull's Ferry, New Jersey on July 20, 1780. Col. Moylan commanded his Dragoons at the Siege of Yorktown
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
in October 1781, after which he was to take the cavalry to the Southern Campaign. However, his failing health caused him to leave the field and return to Philadelphia, where he constantly appealed to the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
to man, equip and maintain the Continental Dragoon Regiments.
He was rewarded for his service by being breveted to brigadier general
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
on November 3, 1783.
Later life and family
Moylan was married to Miss Mary Ricketts Van Horne on September 12, 1778.Stephen Moylan died in Philadelphia, April 11, 1811, and is buried there in St. Mary's Churchyard. He was survived by his wife, Mary; his daughter, Elizabeth; and his brothers, John, James and Jasper.
External links
- Catholic Encyclopedia
- Biography at Virtualology.com
- Biography and portrait at Quartermaster-Generals
- Biography and Historical References at IV Dragoon