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| Bedel's Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1775–1777 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Allegiance | Continental Congress of the United States |
| Type | Light infantry |
| Role | Guerrilla warfare Line formation Raiding Reconnaissance |
| Size | Regiment |
| Part of | New Hampshire Line |
| Engagements | Invasion of Canada |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Timothy Bedel |
Bedel's Regiment was a revolutionary military regiment formed at the outbreak of the American Revolution to protect northern New Hampshire. The regiment was led by Colonel Timothy Bedel and primarily served in the Quebec theater of the Revolutionary War.
History
editOn May 26, 1775, roughly one month after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire voted to conscript a militia of no more than 60 men in the northwestern area of the colony.[1] The regiment was raised as a single company of rangers in Coos County, New Hampshire, led by Colonel Timothy Bedel. Over the next three months, two more companies were raised under the command of Colonel Bedel.[1]
In July 1775, Colonel Bedel led all three companies across New Hampshire and Vermont [note 1] to take part in the Battle of Fort St. Johns.[1] Between July 1775 and January 1776, eight more companies of rangers were recruited from northern New Hampshire; following the success at Fort St. Johns, the regiment joined the Continental Army and took part in the Battle of the Cedars during the Invasion of Canada. During the battle, Colonel Bedel met with local Native American chiefs in Caughnawaga.[1] Most of Bedel's regiment surrendered or was killed at the Cedars.
Following the regiment's failure at the Cedars, Colonel Bedel was court-martialed and charged with "quitting his post when an attack was imminent".[1] Testimony from Colonel Frye Bayley and Major General Benedict Arnold led to Bedel's conviction. Bedel was dismissed from his post and his regiment was disbanded in early 1777.[1]
Notes
edit- ^ The area that is now Vermont was claimed by New Hampshire as the New Hampshire Grants until 1777.