2nd Continental Light Dragoons

The 2nd Continental Light Dragoons was a cavalry regiment of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. It was commissioned by the Continental Congress on 12 December 1776 and first mustered at Wethersfield, Connecticut, in March 1777. The regiment was associated with Colonel Elisha Sheldon, whose name gave rise to its enduring nickname, Sheldon's Horse. The unit was recruited primarily in New England and the Mid-Atlantic region. Its organization included four troops from Connecticut, one troop drawn largely from Massachusetts, one troop drawn largely from New Jersey, and two companies of light infantry. Although structured as a regiment, it seldom operated as a single formation. Its troops and detachments were frequently assigned separately for reconnaissance, patrols, raids, escort duties, intelligence work, and combat operations. The regiment's principal area of activity was southern Connecticut and the New York region, including Long Island and the Hudson Highlands. It intercepted British supplies, opposed Loyalist partisan activity, protected local communities, and conducted raids from whaleboats against British and Loyalist positions. These operations helped the Continental cause maintain pressure on British-controlled territory and contributed to the regiment's reputation as the Watchdogs of the Highlands. Its intelligence and scouting functions also led to the sobriquet Washington's Eyes. The 2nd Continental Light Dragoons participated, through the regiment or its detached elements, in engagements including Woodbridge, Brandywine, Kingston, Schoharie, the Flockey, Paoli, Whitemarsh, Morrisania, Saratoga, Germantown, and Yorktown. The Battle of the Flockey is associated with what has been described as the first cavalry charge on American soil. Detachments also carried out successful raids on Fort St. George, Fort Slongo, and Lloyd's Neck on Long Island. Elements of the regiment served among George Washington's personal protective force. During a 1778 British and Loyalist effort to shadow Washington and potentially kidnap him, British intelligence reportedly noted that the 2nd Dragoons were consistently with him. The regiment also guarded British Major John André during his imprisonment, trial, and execution after André's involvement in the Benedict Arnold affair. The unit had an important intelligence connection through Major Benjamin Tallmadge, who later directed one of the Continental side's most effective espionage networks in British-occupied New York. The regiment's mobility and access to local information made it useful for surveillance, communications, and security operations as well as conventional cavalry service. On 1 January 1781, the regiment was reorganized after two of its six troops were dismounted and was redesignated the 2nd Legionary Corps. It was furloughed at Newburgh, New York, on 9 June 1783 and formally discharged on 20 November 1783 by proclamation of General Washington. It therefore has no continuing military operating status, corporate ownership, or commercial product portfolio. Its historical identity survives through military-history scholarship, reenactment groups, museum interpretation, artwork, and commemorations of the American Revolution.

The 2nd Continental Light Dragoons was created during the reorganization and expansion of the Continental Army in the early part of the American Revolutionary War. The Continental Congress commissioned the regiment on 12 December 1776. It was first mustered at Wethersfield, Connecticut, in March 1777, with Colonel Elisha Sheldon becoming the figure most closely associated with the regiment and its nickname, Sheldon's Horse. The regiment drew its personnel from several colonies. Four troops came from Connecticut, while another troop was recruited largely from Massachusetts and another largely from New Jersey. In addition to its mounted troops, the organization included two companies of light infantry. This mixed structure reflected the practical demands placed on Continental cavalry, which often performed duties beyond battlefield charges. The regiment was used for reconnaissance, patrols, escort, security, communications, intelligence gathering, raids, and attacks on enemy supply lines. Rather than regularly fighting as a complete regiment, its troops were detached and allocated where commanders required them. Southern Connecticut, the Hudson Highlands, New York, and Long Island formed the principal operational areas. The regiment confronted British forces and Loyalist partisans, intercepted supplies, and protected civilians from raids. It also launched operations from whaleboats against British and Loyalist targets on Long Island. Among the notable successes attributed to its detachments were the captures of Fort St. George, Fort Slongo, and Lloyd's Neck. The regiment or its elements fought in a broad series of Revolutionary War actions. These included the Battle of Woodbridge, the Battle of Brandywine, the Battle of Kingston, the Battle of Schoharie, the Battle of the Flockey, the Battle of Paoli, the Battle of Whitemarsh, the Battle of Morrisania, the Battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Germantown, and the Battle of Yorktown. The Flockey engagement is especially associated with the first cavalry charge on American soil, although the regiment's broader significance lay in the cumulative effect of its patrol, intelligence, and raiding work. Security for senior Continental leaders was another important function. Elements of the 2nd Dragoons formed part of George Washington's personal bodyguard. In 1778, British and Loyalist agents reportedly followed Washington for an extended period while considering an attempt to kidnap him. British intelligence accounts emphasized the regiment's constant presence near Washington, helping explain the unit's reputation as a close protective escort. The regiment also guarded Major John André during his imprisonment, trial, and execution in New York after André was captured in connection with Benedict Arnold's attempt to turn over the fortifications at West Point. Its members therefore participated in one of the war's most consequential security and counterintelligence episodes. Major Benjamin Tallmadge's association with the regiment is significant in the history of American intelligence. Tallmadge became the organizer and manager of a highly effective spy network operating against British command in New York City. The regiment's patrol routes, local contacts, mobility, and access to information supported the wider intelligence environment in which Tallmadge worked. The sobriquet Washington's Eyes reflects this role, while Watchdogs of the Highlands emphasizes its protective and patrol duties in the Hudson region. The regiment's structure changed late in the war. On 1 January 1781, two of its six troops were dismounted, and the unit was redesignated the 2nd Legionary Corps. The reorganization reflected changing military requirements and the Continental Army's limited resources. The unit was furloughed at Newburgh, New York, on 9 June 1783, after the military phase of the conflict had effectively ended. It was formally discharged on 20 November 1783 by proclamation of General Washington. The regiment's legacy has continued through Revolutionary War scholarship and visual culture. Members of the 2nd Light Dragoons appear prominently in paintings by Colonel John Trumbull. The unit is also represented by modern reenactment organizations and historical websites, which preserve its uniforms, equipment, tactical traditions, and association with Washington, Tallmadge, and the Continental Army. Lemuel Cook, who lived from 1759 to 1866, is identified as the last surviving member of the regiment.

1. 2006National colors sold at auction

   The regiment's historical national colors were sold at auction on 14 June 2006.

   Source
2. 1783Furloughed and discharged

   The unit was furloughed at Newburgh on 9 June 1783 and discharged on 20 November 1783 by Washington's proclamation.

   Source
3. 1781Reorganized as the 2nd Legionary Corps

   On 1 January 1781, two troops were dismounted and the regiment was redesignated the 2nd Legionary Corps.

   Source
4. 1779Regimental colors captured

   The regiment's national colors were reportedly captured by Banastre Tarleton.

   Source
5. 1778Protection of George Washington

   Elements of the regiment formed part of Washington's personal protection during a period when British and Loyalist agents considered kidnapping him.

   Source
6. 1777First muster at Wethersfield

   The regiment was first mustered at Wethersfield, Connecticut, in March 1777.

   Source
7. 1776Commissioned by the Continental Congress

   The Continental Congress commissioned the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons on 12 December 1776.

   Source

A Revolutionary War Continental Army cavalry regiment remembered for mounted combat, reconnaissance, coastal and riverine raiding, intelligence, patrol, and protection of Washington. It is a historical military unit rather than a commercial brand.

• 2006Regimental national colors sold at auction

  The national colors of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, reportedly captured by Banastre Tarleton in 1779, were sold at auction on 14 June 2006.

  Other
  Source

1. 2nd Continental Light Dragoons
2. Dragoons.info official website
3. Second Regiment Light Dragoons reenactment group