Capt. Eyre Coote’s Light Infantry Company Order Book, 1778

1 Recreated British Light Infantry [Photo Source: Website of His Majesty's 40th Reg. of Foot., with permission.]. Capt. Eyre Coote's 37th Light Infantry Company Order book , 1778 1781. Eyre Coote Papers, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan Transcribed and Edited by Paul L. Pace, June 15, 2011. (1778 account tables transcribed by Don Hagist). Introduction to the Transcription Light Infantry Organization Following the successful use of Light Infantry in the French & Indian War, the British War Office revised the establishments of British regiments to formally add a Light Infantry Company in late 1771.

2 At the beginning of the American War for Independence the Light Infantry Companies saw heavy service in operations around Boston. After the evacuation of that city, Gen. Sir William Howe issued orders from Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 14, 1776 to form two Light Infantry battalions by temporarily withdrawing the companies from their regiments and assigning the companies to composite battalions. The 1st Lt. Infantry Battalion was initially commanded by Maj. Thomas Musgrave, 64th Regt., and the 2nd Lt. Infantry Battalion by Maj. the Honorable John Maitland, Marines. When the troops who had been with Maj.

3 Gen. Henry s Clinton s expedition against Charleston, joined the army, a 3rd Lt. Infantry Battalion was formed. Although frequently mentioned in AWI histories, no 4th Lt. Infantry Battalion was actually formed. After Maj. Musgrave was wounded at Throg s Neck, New York, Lt. Col. Robert Abercromby, 37th Regt. was appointed to command the 1st Battalion on Oct. 23, 1776. 1. Following the successful seizure of Rhode Island in late 1776, the 3rd Battalion returned to New Jersey and disbanded on Mar. 23, 1777 with the companies assigned to the 1st and 2nd Battalions. The two battalions served with the army until it returned to the New York area from Philadelphia in July 1778.

4 General Orders issued at Sandy Hook on July 5th directed The Flank Companies of all the British Regiments in this division of the Army are to join their respective Corps until further Orders, to settle their Accounts, & The flank Company officers took this Order as an affront and new orders were issued on July 31st for The Commandg Offrs of the British Grenadrs & Lt Infy are to Assemble their respective Battns as soon as they conveniently can at Bedford, Long Island.. When about 10 companies were pulled from the two Lt. Infantry battalions for Maj. Gen. James Grant s expedition to the West Indies, the remaining companies were consolidated into a single Lt.

5 Infantry battalion. General Orders issued from New York on Nov. 3, 1778 directed ..The British Grenadiers and Light Infantry are to be immediately formed into one Battalion each, the Light Infantry under the Command of Lieut Colonel Abercrombie .. The single combined battalion remained in place until General Orders were issued from New York on Dec. 15, 1779, just before the Charleston expedition. The orders directed The Battalions of Light Infantry are to consist of the following companies. 1st Battn 7th 22d 33d 37th 42d 54th 63d 70th 74th. 2nd Battn 17th 23d 38th 43d 57th 64th 76th 80th 84th. This organization with minor changes of individual companies remained the same until the battalions were surrendered at Yorktown, Va.

6 In Oct 1781. Organization Orders - Light Infantry Battalions Head Quarters Halifax 14th May The Commander in Chief is pleased to form the Grenadier and Light Infantry Companies into four 1st Battalion of Light Infantry , composed of the following Companies, to be Commanded by Major [Thomas] Musgrave [64th Regt.] and Major [Thomas] Dundas [65th Regt.], viz.: 4th, 5th, 10th, 17th, 22d, 23d, 27th, 35th, 38th. 2d Battalion of Light Infantry composed of the following Companies, to be Commanded by Major [Hon. John] Maitland [Marines] and Major [Turner von] Straubenzee [17th Regt.], viz.: 40th, 43d, 44th, 45th, 49th, 52d, 55th, 63d, 64th.

7 Source: Gen. Sir William Howe s Orders, 1776, in The Kemble Papers, Vol. I, 1773-1789 in Collections of the New- York Historical Society for the Year 1883, Publication Fund Series, Printed for the Society, New York, 1884, Google Books, pp. 352-353. [Head Quarters] Dyker s ferry, [Staten Island] 6th Augt 1776 . The Light Company of the 42d Regt to join the 1st Battn Light Infry. Source: Orderly book , 4th British Grenadier Battalion, from Peebles'Journals, National Archives of Scotland. Head Quarters New Rochelle 23d Oct. Lieut Col. [Robert] Abercrombie [37th Regt.] is appointed to the Command of the 1st Battalion Light Infantry in the Room of Lieut Col.

8 [Thomas] Musgrave [40th Regt.], lately wounded. Source: The Kemble Papers, Vol. I, 1773-1789 in Collections of the New-York Historical Society for the Year 1883, Publication Fund Series, Printed for the Society, New York, 1884. Head Quarters New York March 23d 2. The 3d Battn of Grenadrs and 3d Battn Lt Infantry , are to be incorporated into the 1st and 2nd Battns as 15th, 28th & 33d Lt Infy Companies to the 1st Battn of Lt Infantry . 37th, 46th & 57th Companies to the 2nd Battn of Lt Infantry . Source: Orderly book of General Sir William Howe, Kept By Major Stephen Kemble, Deputy Adjutant General, 29.

9 January 1777 - 20 June 1777 in New York State Library, Manuscripts and History Library, Accession Number 6744. Head Quarters Sandy Hook 5th July 1778 . The Flank Companies of all the British Regiments in this division of the Army are to join their respective Corps until further Orders, to settle their Accounts, &c . Source: The Kemble Papers, Vol. I, 1773-1789 in Collections of the New-York Historical Society for the Year 1883, Publication Fund Series, Printed for the Society, New York, 1884, Google Books. Head Quarters New York July 31st The Command Off of the British Grenadrs & Lt Infy are to Assemble their respective Battns as g rs soon as they conveniently can at Bedford, Long Island.

10 Source: Captured British Army Orderly book , January 29-August 9, 1778 in the George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 6. Military Papers. 1755-1798. Head Quarters New York [illegible date likely Aug. 10, 1778].. And the 37th Ligt Compy from the 2nd to the 1st Lgt Iy Source: George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 6. Military Papers. 1755-1798, Captured British Army Orderly book , August 4 October 13, 1778]. Head Quarters New York 24th Octor After Orders The 4th, 5th, 15th, 27th, 28th, 35th, 40th, 46th, 49th and 55th Regiments are to embark tomorrow.