Prince_of_Wales'_American_Regiment
Prince of Wales' American Regiment
Loyalist militia in the American Revolution
The Prince of Wales' American Regiment was a volunteer regiment of Loyalists in the American Revolution organized in 1776 and 1777 by Montfort Browne, former governor of the Bahamas.[2][3] Recruits were largely from among Connecticut Loyalists.[4][5]
The regiment was initially based in the New York City area [6] and saw early action in 1777 at the Battle of Ridgefield, in which the British sought to destroy American military supplies stored at Danbury, Connecticut.[7][8][9] The regiment later participated in the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778.[10][11]
When the British refocused their efforts on a southern strategy, the regiment was moved to South Carolina, where it participated in the Siege of Charleston in 1780.[12][13]
The regiment saw its heaviest action at the Battle of Hanging Rock, in which the regiment, under the command of Major John Carden, contributed substantially to repulsing a surprise attack by the Continental Army under the command of General Thomas Sumter.[14][15] Although the battle was a tactical victory, the Prince of Wales' American Regiment suffered heavy casualties.[16][17] In addition, Major Carden was disgraced for resigning his command in the heat of battle.[18] Portions of the regiment later served at the Battle of Cowpens[19][20] and the Siege of Fort Granby.[21][22]
The regiment remained in South Carolina until late 1782, when it returned to New York.[23] The regiment was disbanded on October 10, 1783.[24][25] Over 150 members of the regiment, along with family and servants, resettled in New Brunswick, Canada.[26][27] The community of Prince of Wales, New Brunswick was named for the regiment by Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel DeVeber, who settled there with his family.[28]