UNIFORMS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION -- Third New York Regiment, 1775, Continental Line

UNIFORMS OF
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

This regiment, known also as the "Ulster Regiment," or "3rd Yorkers," was one of the f our regiments raised by the Province of New York in the early summer of 1775, for the Continental service. These four New York regiments were brigaded under Brigadier General Montgomery and were with him in all his movements, ending in the assault of Quebec.

Each regiment had a different colored uniform coat, the distinctions in colors being as follows:

1st regt., Col. Alexander McDougall, blue, faced red. 2nd regt., Col. Goose Van Schaick, light brown, faced blue. 3rd regt., Col. James Clinton, gray, faced green. 4th regt., Col. James Holmes, dark brown, faced scarlet.

By the end of August, 1775, all the men were supplied with uniform coats, and although there was a shortage of arms, tents, and many articles of clothing, many of the men were completely equipped, as shown in the drawing, which may be described as follows:

Coarse cloth regimental coat of the colors given above, white linen cravats or stocks, waistcoats and breeches of Russia drilling, woolen home-knit stockings, low shoes, a felt hat with low crown and wide brim cocked up, knapsacks and haversacks of painted canvas, and wooden canteens.

General Montgomery was much pleased with their appearance, and is said to have remarked that they had "acquired the air of Regulars."

Many of the survivors of the Canadian Campaign of 1775-1776, both officers and men, served in different commands throughout the war.

Later these New York troops were provided with buckskin waistcoats and breeches, or overalls of wool, and woolen mittens and caps. Many also wore the rifle frock for service.

Their colors were of white, yellow, blue, and green silk.

[REFERENCES: Journal of the New York Provincial Congress, I, 59, 75, 385, 505, II, 37; New York in the Revolution (F. G. Mather, ed., 1900, p.70; Public Papers of George Clinton, IV, 120; Force's American Archives, 4th s., III, 447, 451. There is a photograph of the handsome flag of the regiment in Gherardi Davis's Regimental Colors in the War of the Revolution, plate VIL.]

Third New York Regiment, 1775 Continental Line

Third New York Regiment, 1775

[SOURCE: Uniforms of the Armies in the War of the American Revolution, 1775-1783. Lt. Charles M. Lefferts. Limited Edition of 500. New York York Historical Society. New York, NY. 1926.]

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