22nd Continental Regiment

The 22nd Continental Regiment was an infantry regiment raised in Connecticut for service in the American Revolutionary War. Its immediate predecessor was the 2nd Connecticut Regiment, which had originally been authorized within the Connecticut State Troops and organized from ten companies of volunteers drawn from Hartford County. Recruitment and organization took place between 1 and 20 May 1775, during the early mobilization of American forces following the outbreak of hostilities. On 14 June 1775, the regiment was adopted into the Main Continental Army. This transition placed a Connecticut-raised formation within the Continental Congress's emerging national military structure, although the unit retained its state-based origin and Connecticut personnel. On 22 July 1775, it was assigned to Spencer's Brigade. The regiment's early service therefore formed part of the Continental Army's effort to organize locally raised troops into brigaded formations capable of operating under a unified command. A major reorganization occurred on 1 January 1776. At that time, the regiment was reduced from ten companies to eight and redesignated the 22nd Continental Regiment. The change reflected the Continental Army's broader effort to standardize regimental structures and establish a clearer national line organization. The redesignation also distinguishes the unit from the earlier 2nd Connecticut Regiment under which it had first been organized. The regiment remained associated with Spencer's Brigade until 12 August 1776, when that brigade was redesignated Parson's Brigade. On 12 November 1776, Parson's Brigade was reassigned to the Highland's Department, and the regiment was simultaneously reassigned to Mercer's Brigade of the Main Continental Army. These changes show the unit's movement through the Continental Army's changing administrative and operational arrangements during the difficult 1776 campaign season. The 22nd Continental Regiment was dissolved at Peekskill, New York, on 31 December 1776. It was therefore a wartime military formation with a relatively short formal existence, rather than a continuing commercial brand or modern organization. Its historical importance lies in the development of the Continental Army from state-raised volunteer forces, its 1776 reorganization, and its participation in the shifting brigade and departmental structure of the Revolutionary War. The principal reference for its lineage is Richard K. Wright's account in The Continental Army, published by the U.S. Army Center of Military History.

The unit began as the 2nd Connecticut Regiment in the Connecticut State Troops. Ten companies of volunteers from Hartford County organized the regiment between 1 and 20 May 1775, during the first months of the American Revolutionary War. On 14 June 1775, the Continental Congress adopted the regiment into the Main Continental Army, incorporating the Connecticut formation into the national military establishment then being created. On 22 July 1775, the regiment was assigned to Spencer's Brigade. Its placement in a brigade was part of the Continental Army's effort to turn separately raised colonial and state forces into larger formations under coordinated command. The regiment underwent a formal reorganization on 1 January 1776, when its structure was reduced from ten companies to eight. At the same time, it received the designation 22nd Continental Regiment. The brigade structure surrounding the regiment changed during 1776. On 12 August, Spencer's Brigade was redesignated Parson's Brigade. Later, on 12 November, the brigade was reassigned to the Highland's Department. On that same date, the 22nd Continental Regiment was reassigned to Mercer's Brigade of the Main Continental Army. These changes occurred as the Continental Army adjusted its command and departmental arrangements during the war's early campaigns. The regiment's formal existence ended at Peekskill, New York, on 31 December 1776, when it was dissolved. Its lineage consequently covers the transition from the 2nd Connecticut Regiment to the 22nd Continental Regiment and concludes before the Continental Army's later wartime reorganizations. The regiment is documented as a historical military unit, not as a consumer, automotive, or commercial brand.

1. 1776Reorganization and redesignation

   The regiment was reorganized from ten companies to eight and redesignated the 22nd Continental Regiment on 1 January.

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2. 1776Brigade and department changes

   Spencer's Brigade became Parson's Brigade on 12 August. On 12 November, the brigade moved to the Highland's Department and the regiment was reassigned to Mercer's Brigade.

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3. 1776Dissolution at Peekskill

   The 22nd Continental Regiment was dissolved at Peekskill, New York, on 31 December.

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4. 1775Organization as the 2nd Connecticut Regiment

   Ten companies of Hartford County volunteers organized the regiment within the Connecticut State Troops between 1 and 20 May.

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5. 1775Adoption into the Continental Army

   The regiment was adopted into the Main Continental Army on 14 June.

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6. 1775Assignment to Spencer's Brigade

   On 22 July, the regiment was assigned to Spencer's Brigade.

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A Connecticut-raised Continental Army infantry regiment organized for Revolutionary War service.

• 1776Regimental reorganization and redesignationStrategy

  The Continental Army reorganized its regimental structure at the beginning of 1776.

  What changed. The unit was reduced from ten companies to eight and redesignated from the 2nd Connecticut Regiment as the 22nd Continental Regiment.

  Aftermath. The new designation remained in use until the regiment was dissolved at the end of 1776.

  Source
• 1776Reassignment within the Continental ArmyStrategy

  The Continental Army revised brigade and departmental arrangements during 1776.

  What changed. The regiment was transferred from Parson's Brigade to Mercer's Brigade on 12 November, while Parson's Brigade was assigned to the Highland's Department.

  Aftermath. The regiment remained in Mercer's Brigade until its dissolution on 31 December 1776.

  Source

1. 22nd Continental Regiment
2. The Continental Army: Lineage