Nichols' Regiment of Militia

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Nichols' Regiment of Militia
Active1777–1780
Allegiance State of New Hampshire
Type Infantry
Part of New Hampshire Militia
Engagements Bennington and Rhode Island
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Moses Nichols

Nichols' Regiment of Militia also known as the 5th New Hampshire Militia Regiment was called up on July 21, 1777[ citation needed ] at Winchester, New Hampshire, for Gen. John Stark's Brigade gathering at Charlestown, New Hampshire during the Saratoga Campaign. It was named for Dr Moses Nichols, who was appointed colonel of the regiment in 1776. [1]

Contents

Nichols' Regiment moved to the rear of Friedrich Baum's redoubt and assaulted from behind (west) as Stickney's, Hale's and Hobart's assaulted from the front (east) and Simonds' attacked from the south during the Battle of Bennington. Nichols' Regiment would continue on in Stark's Brigade to cut off British Gen. John Burgoyne from retreat or supply after the Battle of Freeman's Farm. Nichols' Regiment would also take part in Gen. John Sullivan's campaign in Rhode Island in 1778. The regiment also served as part of the garrison of West Point during the year of 1780, during which time Benedict Arnold attempted to sell the post to the British.

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Stickney's Regiment of Militia, also known as the 11th New Hampshire Militia Regiment, was at Fort Ticonderoga during the spring of 1777 reinforcing the Continental Army garrison. The regiment was again called up on July 21, 1777, at Pembroke, New Hampshire for Gen. John Stark's Brigade gathering at Charlestown, New Hampshire during the Saratoga campaign. Part of Stickney's Regiment under Lt. Col. Nataniel Emerson was sent to Otter Creek on August 4 to clear out any remaining Loyalists. On August 16, 1777, Stickney's regiment, along with Hale's and Hobart's Regiment, made the main attack on Friedrich Baum's redoubt during the Battle of Bennington as Nichols' attacked from the rear (west) and Simonds' attacked from the south. Lt. Col. Emerson's detachment arrived along with Seth Warner's Green Mountain Boys in time to rout Heinrich von Breymann's reinforcements. Stickney's Regiment would continue on in Stark's Brigade to cut off British Gen. John Burgoyne from retreat or supply after the Battle of Freeman's Farm. The regiment would be disbanded on October 26, 1777, in northern New York.

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Hale's Regiment of Militia also known as the 15th New Hampshire Militia Regiment was at Fort Ticonderoga during the spring and summer of 1776 reinforcing the Continental Army garrison. The regiment was again called up on July 21, 1777 at Rindge, New Hampshire for Gen. John Stark's Brigade gathering at Charlestown, New Hampshire during the Saratoga Campaign. On August 16, 1777 Hale's regiment along with Hobart's Regiment and Stickney's Regiment made the main attack on Friedrich Baum's redoubt during the Battle of Bennington as Nichols' attacked from the rear (west) and Simonds' attacked from the south. Hale's Regiment would continue on in Stark's Brigade to cut off British Gen. John Burgoyne from retreat or supply after the Battle of Freeman's Farm. The regiment was also part of Gen. John Sullivan's army at the unsuccessful Battle of Rhode Island in 1778.

Moses Nichols was an American physician, soldier, and leading citizen of Amherst, New Hampshire.

References

  1. Willey (1903), p. 162.

Sources