APPENDIX D.BRITISH ARMY, AT VARIOUS DATES.
The British Official Records show that the entire British force in America, including troops in Canada, Florida and the Bahama Islands, hardly exceeded, at any one time—and then not until 1780—42,000 men. Some of the regiments appear upon the maps as participants in battles from the attack upon Breed’s Hill until the final surrender of Cornwallis. The colonels of these regiments, under British regulations, held command as general officers; but the regiments retained their personal relation to the commanding officer, although the lieutenant-colonel commanded the battalions in the field, one recruiting battalion always remaining at the home depot.
The following Tables have peculiar value, being compiled direct from original sources:
1. British regiments assigned to America, 1776.
The above were stationed in Boston, with five companies of the Royal Artillery.
On their passage from Ireland to Boston:
Then, in Canada:
Ready to sail for America, from Cork:
Ordered for Boston:
Ordered for Quebec:
Also, 29th Foot upon opening of navigation.
Cunningham’s Regiment, the 14th Foot, was in part in Virginia; the residue, with a Company of the Royal Artillery, was at St. Augustine, Florida.
ADVANCE CORPS.
Four Battalions of Light Infantry and the Light Dragoons.
RESERVE CORPS.
Four Battalions of Grenadiers, 33d and 42d Regiments.
BRITISH COLUMN.
Colonel Donop’s command consisted of the Hessian Grenadiers and the Chausseurs.
General De Heister’s command consisted of two Hessian brigades.
TOTAL OF COMBINED ARMIES, INCLUDING FORCE ON STATEN ISLAND.
General Clinton in his report gives Howe’s “effectives fit for duty” as 26,980—officers not included; but, including all officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, as 31,625 men.
On this date, 2,631 men had been sent to Rhode Island, and the total force of foreign troops which had arrived—including those of Hesse, Anspach, and Waldeck—amounted to 14,777.
In New York and vicinity, 19,586; in Long Island, 8,117; in Rhode Island, 5,189; Lord Howe’s fleet, 512; making an aggregate of 33,404.
A later return of November 1, on account of troops sent to Halifax and to the West Indies, reduced the aggregate to 22,494 for duty.
8. British effective force in America, May 1, 1780.
Aggregate, including East Florida, Providence Island and Bermuda, 38,002.
Note.—Stedman has the following estimate: