Composition

Establishment & Composition of the Queen's Rangers

The officers commanding the Queen's Rangers were allowed a freedom to reconstitute and alter their manner of waging war which no previous regiment in the British Army and few since have been granted. It is a model which explodes the myth that the British Army could not adjust to the style of warfare in North America, and could not furnish energetic officers to fight a partisan war.

A Grenadier of the Queen’s Rangers, ca 1780 (U.S.A)

Credit: Toronto Public Library (T.R.L): T30830

When Robert Rogers was commissioned in 1776 to raise a battalion of loyalists it was originally to follow British practice of eight centre companies, one company of grenadiers and another of light infantry.

Simcoe's journal, however, provides a number of entries which give valuable insight on the distinct tactics employed by the rangers and the new sections which evolved during the war.

The Grenadier Company served on the right flank. It enlisted many deserters from the rebels in the winter of 1777-8. Under Captain Richard Armstrong their method was described by a rebel as 'a power of Hessians'. This may be a reference to the enlistment of German colonials, or tactics employed by German troops such as 'closed order' or even column attack.

The light company served on the left flank. Under the command of Captain Francis Stephenson they were instructed to rely on resolute bayonet charges with unloaded muskets!

It does appear very early on there was a company in the rangers which sought Scots Highlanders as recruits under a Captain McAlpine. When a large number enlisted in Philadelphia in 1777 Simcoe was able develop further this company distinction by encouraging them to wear Highland native dress, with a bagpiper as musician. Under Captain John McKay they now formed a distinct eleventh company, serving on the left flank as additional light infantry. Some of those that had enlisted were from North Carolina, possibly freed or exchanged prisoners taken at Moore's Creek Bridge in 1776.

Constant Patrols around Philadelphia during the winter of 1777-8 convinced Simcoe that his unit should have their own mounted section. Twelve rangers under a Sergeant Kelly did useful service although the unfortunate shooting of a trooper by friendly fire made it necessary to adopt a distinctive headdress. These 'Huzzars' were later increased to a full troop of thirty under a Lieutenant Wickham.

A Sergeant from the British cavalry was employed to train and exercise them and Simcoe reported that they were mostly sailors and both they and their mounts were expected to ford deep water. Wickham later held a captaincy when it's number increased to fifty troopers.

A light infantryman and Huzzar of the Queen’s Rangers, ca 1780 (U.S.A)

Credit: Toronto Public Library, (T.R.L): T30831

In the summer of 1778 a Sergeant McPherson of the grenadiers, a corporal and twelve men were placed under a Lieutenant Aeneas Shaw and armed with rifles and swords. Another loyalist officer, Lord Rawdon, is known to have employed rifle armed sharpshooters at Hobkirk Hill, S.C., with instructions to pick off Rebel officers!

Simcoe's riflemen were attached to the Light company but granted distinct feathers and plumes. While serving mounted in Virginia in 1781 Sergeant McPherson lost his life.

A rifleman of the Queen’s Rangers, ca 1780 (U.S.A)

Credit: Toronto Public Library (T.R.L): T30832

It was during the withdrawal from Philadelphia to New York at Monmouth Court House, June 28, 1778 that the Rebels captured an artillery piece, only to have their prize quickly retaken by the screaming Highlanders. Simcoe later reports that a 3pdr cannon, an ammusette, and three skilled artillerymen now formed part of their establishment.

The success of the Huzzar troop saw the formation of further cavalry sections. Captain John Saunders, a Virginian, was sent out on a raid of his home colony in 1780. With him went saddles and clothing to kit out a second Huzzar troop. His mission however was early curtailed and he ended up in South Carolina. Fourteen were still serving there in a return of January 29, 1782. Back in New York Captain Thomas Ivie Cook formed a third troop around the cadre of Diemar's Troop of Black Huzzars, all Germans. It later joined Simcoe in Virginia in 1781.

Although the Queen's Rangers under Simcoe was forced to surrender at Yorktown in 1781, comprising 246 officers and men, it should be stated that a further 228 members were still active in New York on May 1, 1782. In recognition of their military record the corps was granted permanent rank in America and Britain on December 25, 1782.

With regard to Simcoe's Method of Command it is interesting to note that he kept detailed records of those enlisting: that they might possess useful skills or knowledge of a particular location. He later claimed that his rangers had killed or captured three times their number of rebels. One of those that had enlisted was Charles Dunlop, joining at the age of thirteen, he concluded the war with the rank of lieutenant!

It should be remembered that a number of loyalist units were attached to the Queen's Rangers in a manner not far short of being incorporated though they maintained independent structures of promotion and pay. They include the red-coated North Carolina Independent Company, the green-coated Bucks County Volunteers, and the New York Rifle Company.

Composition