The American Legion was a provincial cavalry and infantry corps (regiment) of the British Army in the American War of Independence commanded by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold.
| American Legion | |
|---|---|
 American Legion reenactors at Colonial Williamsburg | |
| Active | 1780–1783 |
| Disbanded | 24 October 1783 |
| Country |  Great Britain |
| Allegiance | New York |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Provincial Troops |
| Role | Cavalry and infantry |
| Size | Corps (regiment) |
| Part of | British American Forces |
| Facings | Green |
| Engagements | American War of Independence |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Brigadier General Benedict Arnold |
History
editThe American Legion is notable for the fact that Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, who had previously served the United States and had defected to the British in 1780, was the commanding officer.[1] It was organised in October 1780 at New York.[2] The Legion accompanied Arnold in his raid upon Virginia. It was with him in his expedition into Connecticut in September 1781, in which two forts were stormed and dismantled, and the town of New London plundered and burned. The Legion was disbanded on 24 October 1783 at New Brunswick.[1]
Uniform
editThe Legion's uniform consisted of a red coat with green facings.[citation needed] The coat had short tails, as opposed to those worn by British Regulars who wore long tails.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Collections of the New Brunswick Historical Society. Volume I. Saint John, N. B.: The Daily Telegraph Steam Book and Job Print. 1894. pp. 210-211. OL 7199069M – via Internet Archive.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Katcher, Philip R. N. (1973). Encyclopedia of British, Provincial, and German Army Units—1775–1783. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. pp. 82, 138. ISBN 0-8117-0542-0. OCLC 514627. OL 5291651M.
Further reading
edit- Allen, Thomas B. (2010). Tories: Fighting for the King in America's First Civil War. New York: Harper. ISBN 9780061241802. LCCN 2011453092. OCLC 664584003. OL 25028530M.
External links
edit- Index to American Legion History at Royalprovincial.com
