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| UNIFORMS
OF
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION In January, 1776 Maryland resolved to raise a battalion for the defense of that Province. William Smallwood was appointed to be Colonel of the battalion. Three companies from Baltimore and six companies from Annapolis were combined to form the battalion. It was organized as eight battalion companies and one light infantry company. The first company organized was the Baltimore Independent Cadets formed in December, 1774 under Captain Mordecai Gist. The Cadets adopted for their uniform a red coat, turned up with buff, with yellow metal buttons. This dress was also adopted for the other Baltimore companies; and this distinctive uniform is shown on three of the figures in our illustration. A service dress consisting of a hunting shirt was adopted for the Maryland troops in January, 1776 and this uniform is also shown in our plate. The battalion was assigned to the brigade of William Alexander, Lord Sterling, along with the Delaware Battalion of Colonel John Haslet. This was the start of a close association between the troops from Maryland and Delaware that was to last through the entire war. Smallwood's men were in action first at the Battle of Long Island and won great praise for their repeated charges against the British forces. They were largely responsible for the successful withdrawal of the American forces across Gowanu Creek to the main forces in Brooklyn. The many battle honors earned by this battalion are now carried by the 175th Infantry Regiment (Firth Maryland) Maryland Army National Guard. [REFERENCES: The Regimental Colors of the 175th Infantry (Fifth Maryland). Harold R. Manakee. The Delaware Continentals, 1776-1783. Christopher L. Ward. "Military Dress in Maryland". Military Collector and Historian. Anne S. K. Brown.] |
| Privates
in Field and Parade Dress
Smallwood's Maryland Regiment 1776
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