HISTORY OF THE 5TH NY
June 1, 1776
The regiment originally began in June 1776 when the Continental Congress promoted Major Lewis Dubois of Nicholson’s Regiment to colonel with instructions to raise a regiment of eight companies in New York. A dispute between the New York Provincial and the Continental Congress over who had authority to promote New York officers delayed the official authorization of the regiment until November 21, 1776. The men were mainly raised in Orange and Ulster counties “for the war”.
THE BATTLES OF FORT MONTGOMERY AND FORT CLINTON
October 6, 1776
The regiment included many veterans of General Richard Montgomery’s invasion of Canada. The regiment garrisoned Fort Montgomery in the Hudson Highlands early in 1777. The British killed or captured 98 out of 312 present on October 6, 1777 when they stormed Forts Montgomery and Clinton. Together with about 300 ulster and orange county militia, the 5th held off multiple British attacks causing many casualties to the British and Loyalist forces, especially from their officers. After skirmishing, ambushing, and then beating back these assaults the Forts finally fell after a combined assault of about 2,100 enemy.
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October 16, 1777
The survivors joined Brigadier General George Clinton in pursuit of the British up the Hudson but were too late to prevent the British from burning Kingston on October 16. After Burgoyne’s surrender the 5th wintered in Fishkill supply depot and healed its wounds.
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REVIEWED BY GENERAL WASHINGTON
July 17, 1779
The regiment camped at White Plains in the summer of 1778 and took part in the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign of 1779 against Tories and Indians in western New York. After the successful campaign they were reviewed in Pompton NJ with the rest of the New York Brigade by General Baron de Steuben and General Washington.
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THE 5TH JOINS WITH THE 2ND NEW YORK
January 1, 1781
Winter 1779 – 1780 was spent at Jockey Hollow in Morristown, NJ. The 5th was again assigned to garrison duty when they arrived at West Point in 1780. The New York Line was consolidated in January 1781 and the 5th New York was merged into the 2nd New York.
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October 19, 1781
Members of the original 5th New York were present at Yorktown. They avenged the loss of the Highland Forts when they comprised part of the second wave at the storming of Redoubt #10.
