The 3rd Continental Artillery Regiment also known as Crane's Continental Artillery Regiment became part of the

Continental Army The Continental Army was the army of the United Colonies representing the Thirteen Colonies and later the United States during the American Revolutionary War. It was formed on June 14, 1775, by a resolution passed by the Second Continental Co ...

on January 1, 1777, as Colonel John Crane's Continental Artillery Regiment. The regiment was made up of 12 artillery companies from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including some companies that had served in

Henry Knox Henry Knox (July 25, 1750 – October 25, 1806) was an American military officer, politician, bookseller, and a Founding Father of the United States. Knox, born in Boston, became a senior general of the Continental Army during the Revolutionar ...

's Continental Artillery Regiment. The regiment served with

George Washington George Washington (, 1799) was a Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father and the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. As commander of the Continental Army, Washington led Patriot (American Revoluti ...

's main army. Three artillery companies in

Ebenezer Stevens Ebenezer Stevens (August 11, 1751 – September 2, 1823) was a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, a major general in the New York state militia, and a New York City merchant. Early life Stevens was ...

' Provisional Artillery Battalion had a separate existence in the Northern Department until the end of 1778 when they rejoined the regiment. On 10 August 1779 the unit was redesignated the 3rd Continental Artillery Regiment. The regiment was reorganized with 10 companies on 1 January 1781 after the transfer of several companies to another artillery regiment. The unit was reassigned to the Highlands Department in August 1782. The regiment was rebuilt on a four company establishment in June 1783. The 3rd Artillery was disbanded on 1 January 1784 at

West Point, New York West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States. Located on the Hudson River in New York (state), New York, General George Washington stationed his headquarters in West Point in the summer and fall of 1779 durin ...

History

On 10 August 1779 the four artillery regiments were numbered. Two boards of generals determined that neither John Lamb's Continental Artillery Regiment nor Crane's Regiment could trace their lineage to Knox's Continental Artillery Regiment. Therefore, Charles Harrison's Continental Artillery Regiment was named the 1st Continental Artillery Regiment. Lamb and Crane drew lots and Lamb's regiment became the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment while Crane's regiment was renamed the 3rd Continental Artillery Regiment. Being the last regiment to enter the Continental Army, Thomas Proctor's Continental Artillery Regiment was numbered the 4th Continental Artillery Regiment. Washington's artillery chief,

wanted to have four 3-pound or 6-pound cannons attached to each infantry brigade. Knox preferred the handier French 4-pound cannon, he had to give up his plan to adopt it because too much ammunition and equipment for the 3- and 6-pound guns were still available. Knox created an artillery park of two 24-pound cannons, four 12-pound cannons, four 8-inch howitzers, eight 5.5-inch howitzers, and 10 smaller field guns. Rotating between the infantry brigades, the artillery park, and garrisons, the artillery companies with the main army received training in these various areas. Knox's tactical doctrine required his gunners to direct their fire on infantry targets and avoid artillery duels. This tactic proved highly effective at the

Battle of Monmouth The Battle of Monmouth, also known as the Battle of Monmouth Court House, was fought near the Village of Monmouth Court House, New Jersey, Monmouth Court House in modern-day Freehold Borough, New Jersey and Manalapan, New Jersey, Manalapan, on J ...

.Wright, 150

Service record

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:3rd Continental Artillery Regiment Military units and formations of the Continental Army