The
Continental Marines were the
Marine force of the
American Colonies during the
American Revolutionary War. The corps was formed by the
Continental Congress in November 10,
1775 and was disbanded in
1783. Their mission was multi-purpose, but their most important duty was to serve as on-board security forces, protecting the Captain of a ship and his officers. During naval engagements Marine
sharpshooters were stationed in the fighting tops of the ships' masts, and were supposed to shoot the opponent's officers,
naval gunners, and helmsmen.
In all, there were 131 Colonial Marine officers and probably no more than 2,000 enlisted Colonial Marines.
Though individual marines were enlisted for the few American naval vessels, the organization would not be re-created until 1798. Despite the gap between the disbanding of the Continental Marines and the current organization, the U.S. Marine Corps celebrates
10 November 1775 as its birthday.
History
In accordance with the Continental Marine Act of 1775, the
Congress decreed
These two battalions were initially intended for the planned invasion of Nova Scotia, the main British reinforcement point. In reality only one battalion was formed. Plans to form the second battalion were suspended indefinitely after several British regiments-of-foot and cavalry, supported by 3,000 Hessian mercenaries, landed in Nova Scotia, making the planned amphibious assault impossible.
The Continental Marines' first and only
Commandant was Captain
Samuel Nicholas and the first Marine Barracks were located in Philadelphia. The first recruiting station was historically at meeting place called
Tun Tavern. Recent discoveries may prove the actual tavern was nowhere near the original Tun Tavern.
Four additional Marine Security Companies were also raised and helped
George Washington defend
Philadelphia.
The Marines were used to conduct amphibious landings and raids during the
American Revolution. They landed twice in
Nassau, in the
Bahamas, to seize naval stores from the
British. The
first landing, led by Captain Samuel Nicholas, consisted of 250 Marines and sailors who landed in
New Providence, in the
Bahamas; there they wreaked much damage and seized naval stores. The second landing, led by a Lieutenant Trevet, landed at night and captured several ships along with the naval stores.
Continental Marines landed and captured Nautilus Island and the Majabagaduce peninsula in the Penobscot Expedition. A Marine battalion also fought alongside the
Continental Army in the
Battle of Princeton. A group under Navy Captain James Willing left Pittsburgh, traveled down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, captured a ship and in conjunction with other Continental Marines brought by ship from the Gulf of Mexico raided British Loyalists on the shore of
Lake Ponchartrain.
Timeline
1775, October 13:
Second Continental Congress convenes and directs the acquisition, fitting out, and manning of two vessels for the
Continental Navy. Since Marines are a normal part of warship's complement, this is the first (albeit indirect) authorization for the enlistment of Continental Marines.
1775, November 10: The Continental Marines are created
1775, December: Five companies of about 300 Marines were raised. While armed, they were not equipped with uniforms. They head South for the Caribbean where the five companies joined Commodore
Esek Hopkins of the
Continental Navy's first squadron on its first cruise.
1776, March: Nicholas' Marines land on New Providence Island, Bahamas. In 13 days they secure 2 forts, occupy Nassau, control the Government House, seize 88 guns, 16,535 shells and other supplies. Returning from the raid, they encountered a British ship. Marines engaged the ship with muskets and assisted in manning the broadside cannon. Commodore Hopkins ignored his ambitious orders to sweep the southern seas of British ships, and instead raided the
Bahamas for gunpowder for Washington's army. Nicholas' Marines made an opposed landing and marched on Nassau Town, on the island of
New Providence, seizing shot, shells and cannon. However, a failed attempt at a surprise attack the day before had warned the defenders, who sent off their stock of gunpowder in the night. Sailing back to Rhode Island, the squadron captured four small prize ships. The squadron finally returned on
8 April 1776, with 7 dead Marines (including Lt. John Fitzpatrick), and four wounded. Though Hopkins was disgraced for failing to obey orders, Nicholas was promoted to Major on
25 June and tasked with raising 4 new companies of Marines for 4 new frigates then under construction. Among the newly commissioned Marines was Captain
Robert Mullan.
1776, December: Marines were tasked to join Washington's army at Trenton to slow the progress of British troops southward through New Jersey. Unsure what to do with the Marines, Washington added the Marines to a brigade of Philadelphia militia, also dressed in green. Captain Mullan's roster lists two black men, Issac and Orange, the first recorded black Marines. Though they were unable to arrive in time to affect the battle of Trenton, they assisted in the decisive American victory at Princeton.
Later that spring, Washington incorporated some of the Marines into artillery units of his reorganized Army.
1778, January: A Marine detachment sails down the
Mississippi River and secures
New Orleans to keep British traders out. Continental Marines landed and captured
Nautilus Island and the
Majabagaduce peninsula in the
Penobscot Expedition. A group under Navy Captain James Willing left Pittsburgh, traveled down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, captured a ship and in conjunction with other Continental Marines brought by ship from the
Gulf of Mexico raided British Loyalists on the shore of
Lake Ponchartrain1778, April: A Marine detachment nominally under the command of
John Paul Jones makes two raids on British soil.
1783, January: Marines board and seize the British ship
Baille in the West Indies
1785, June: After the end of the American Revolutionary War (Jan, 1783), the
Alliance is sold. The last official act of the Continental Marines was to escort a stash of French silver crowns on loan from
Louis XVI, from Boston to Philadelphia, to enable the opening of the
Bank of North America. The Continental Marines go out of existence, along with the
Continental Navy.
Continental Marine uniforms
On 5 September, 1776, the Naval Committee published the Continental Marines uniform regulations specifying green coats with white facings (lapels, cuffs, and coat lining), with a leather high collar to protect against cutlass slashes and to keep a man's head erect. Its memory is preserved by the moniker "Leatherneck", and the high collar on Marine dress uniforms. Though legend attributes the green color to the traditional color of riflemen, Colonial Marines carried muskets. More likely, green cloth was simply plentiful in Philadelphia, and it served to distinguish Marines from the red of the British or the blue of the Continental Army and Navy. Also, Sam Nicholas's hunting club wore green uniforms, hence his recommendation to the committee was for green.
See also
