First Regiment of New Levies in the Service of the United States Commanded by Colonel Lasher

Date: 14 Jun 1776 to 1 Dec 1776
Location: New York, United States

AKA: First Regiment of New Levies in the Service of the United Colonies Commanded by Colonel Lasher

• Colonel Lasher’s Regiment
• Colonel Lasher’s Regiment that entered in the service June 14, 1776
• New York First Battalion Grenadiers and Light Infantry Colonel John Lasher.^[1]

Do not confuse with:

• First Battalion of Independent Companies of New York City
• 1st Regiment of Levies, 1780–81 commanded by Colonel William Malcom

Contents 1 History 2 Officers 3 Research Notes 4 Sources

History

When the Continental Congress decided to increase the number of Levies from New York for the defense of New York, by 3000 in June 1776, the New York Provincial Congress decided to ask the 1st and 2nd Battalions of independent companies of New York City to contribute 1200 men.^[2]

The New York CIty Militia was to be mustered on June 14th. To recruit, 1200 volunteers for Continental Service to Defend New York until the 1st of December (unless sooner discharged by Congress) Muster was defered to June 18th.

These were to be suppliemented with two companies levied from Kings and Queens County. ^[2]

On June 9th John Morin Scott (1730-1784) was selected to be the Brigadier General to command the The four New York "New Levies" regiments.^[3] Returns for June 14th and 18th showed eight companies Captained by former members of the First Battalion of Independent Companies of New York City.^[1]

While being called for "Continental Service" apparently the former members of the New York City independent companies were promised that they were "...entering into the service of this State only." ^[4]

Commisions were issued on August 12th, which the officers at first refused "...because, being dated yesterday, the date will render them juniors to many." They later accepted them in case they were captured by the enemy before they could be reissued.^{[5] [6]}

When George Washington (1732-1799) organized the Brigades, into divisions,under the existing and newly promoted Major Generals on August 12th, John Morin Scott (1730-1784)'s Brigade was placed under the command of Major General Israel Putnam (1718-1790) ^[7] The First Regiment of "New Levies" were stationed in New York City until they were transfered to Long Island August 22. 1776.^[8]

The regiment (or at least one company of "Grenadiers" was stationed on Cobble Hill Fort on August 27 during the Battle of Long Island.^[9] Two Companies of Grenadiers were posted along the line during the withdraw on the 29th. "...When it was known that the Americans were retreating, the grenadiers were stationed at regular distances inside the American lines, each one having 6 hand-grenades beside their other arms...."^[9] They arrived back on Manhattan at 3 AM.^[9] Three of the Lieutenants captured on the Jamaica road were from Colonel Lasher's regiment.^[10] Brigadier General John Morin Scott (1730-1784) Brigade was Stationed South of Kip's Bay about fifteenth street on September 15th when the British attacked Manhattan "The Kip's Bay Affair" ^[11] Colonel Lasher's Regiment lost 314 men between September 12th and 19th the most of any regiment. Some of these were sick, some deserted, some were scattered and later rejoined the regimen and many died in prison. ^{[11][12] [13]} September 16th Harlem Heights John Morin Scott (1730-1784) Brigade deployed East of Clinton's Brigade next to the North River. ^[14] September 18 Brigade ordered to Cross King's Bridge. Transfered to Major General William Heath (1737-1814)'s Division ^[14]

October 21st When the Army withdrew to White Plains, Colonel Lasher was detached with 600 men to remain and give the illusion that the American Army had not left the King's Bridge area.^[15]

October 25th the bulk of the regiment (about 170 men) was with Lt.Col. Stockholm at White Plains and were position on the left flank during the Battle of White Plains on the 28th. 59 men were "on Command" probably with Colonel Lasher at King's Bridge^[16]

November 30 1776 Brigadier General Scott was unable to entice more than a few men to extend their enlistment for one month.^[17]

Discharged Haverstraw.

Officers

Commissioned August 12^[5]

Company Rank Name

• 0 Adjutant.... Jeronimus Hoogland (Captured on Jamaica road Aug 27^[10])
• 0 Colonel..... John Lasher
• 0 Lt Col...... Andrew Stockholm
• 0 Major....... William Smith Livingston
• 0 Quatermaster Matthew Davis
• 1 Captain .... James Abeel
• 1 First Lt.... John Bancker
• 1 Second Lt... Thomas Beekman
• 2 Captain .... Abraham Van Dyck (Taken Prisoner September 15th, Kip's Bay affair)^[18]

• 2 First Lt.... John Anthony
• 2 Second Lt... Henry Breevort (Taken Prisoner September 15th, Kip's Bay affair)
• 3 Captain .... William Leonard
• 3 First Lt.... John Harbeck
• 3 Second Lt... Oliver Meldeberger
• 4 Captain .... Theophilus Beekman
• 4 First Lt.... Ethan Sickles
• 4 Second Lt... Thomas Lawrence
• 5 Captain .... David Dickson
• 5 First Lt.... Joseph Fortin
• 5 Second Lt... Robert Troup (Captured on Jamaica road Aug 27^[10])
• 6 Captain .... William Willcocks
• 6 First Lt.... Ralph_T. Thurman
• 6 Second Lt... Edward Dunscomb (Captured on Jamaica road Aug 27^[10])
• 7 Captain .... Charles Dickenson
• 7 First Lt.... Abraham Mesier
• 7 Second Lt... Thomas Warner
• 8 Captain ....Jacob Wright (abt.1755-aft.1788)
• 8 First Lt.... Jeffrey Hicks
• 8 Second Lt... Benjamin North (1749-1817)
• 9 Captain .... Jacques Rapalje (Taken Prisoner September 15th, Kip's Bay affair)
• 9 First Lt.... George Carpenter
• 9 Second Lt... John Vredenburgh
• 10 Captain .... Viner Van Zandt
• 10 First Lt.... Frederick Steymets
• 10 Second Lt... Samuel Johnson

said to be Captain from King's County, not found on any historic documents.

• Captain .... Van Nuys^[9]

On June 14 return, not commissioned Aug 12

• Captain .... William_W. Gilbert
• Captain .... Roosevelt

on Oct 4 list not commissioned Aug 12

• Adjutant.... Gerardus Hardenbrook
• Lieut....... Codwas
• Lieut....... Harton
• Second Lieut George Harsen

Research Notes

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Lasher, John (1776) fold3.com New York First Battalion Grenadiers and Light Infantry Colonel John Lasher Page=21
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} State of New York, (June 7 1776) Archive.org Journals of the Provincial Congress, Provincial Convention, Committee of Safety and Council of Safety of the state of New-York : 1775-1775-1777. Page=482
3. ↑ State of New York, (June 9 1776) Archive.org Journals of the Provincial Congress, Provincial Convention, Committee of Safety and Council of Safety of the state of New-York : 1775-1775-1777. Page=488
4. ↑ Force, Peter (1838) Archive.org American Archives Series five Volume I Page=1463
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Force, Peter (1837) Archive.org American Archives Series five Volume I Page=918
6. ↑ Force, Peter (1837) Archive.org American Archives Series five Volume I Page=953
7. ↑ Washington, George (aug 12 1776) Archive.org Assignment of divisions August 12th Page=915
8. ↑ Johnston, Henry P. (1878) Archive.org The Campaign Of 1776 Around New York And Brooklyn Page=144
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3} Onderdonk, Henry (1846) Familysearch.org Documents and letters intended to illustrate the revolutionary incidents of Queens county; with connecting narratives, explantory notes, and additions Page=417
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3} Johnston, Henry P. (1878) Archive.org The Campaign Of 1776 Around New York And Brooklyn Page=159
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Johnston, Henry P. (1879) Archive.org The Campaign Of 1776 Around New York And Brooklyn Page=232
12. ↑ Force, Peter () Archive.org American Archives Series five Volume II Page=327
13. ↑ Force, Peter () Archive.org American Archives Series five Volume II Page=449
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} Force, Peter (1837) Archive.org American Archives Series five Volume II Page=381
15. ↑ Force, Peter (1837) Archive.org American Archives Series five Volume II Page=1165
16. ↑ Stockholm, Andrew (Oct 25 1776) Fold3.org Muster roll
17. ↑ Force, Peter (1838) Archive.org American Archives Series five Volume III Page=346
18. ↑ , () Founders online: Bio of Abraham C. Van Dyck