The Lobsterback Society - History of His Majesty's Marines

Text Box: HIS MAJESTY’S MARINES DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION British Marines played a significant military role during the American Revolution, serving aboard His Majesty’s Fleet during the entire conflict. In addition, Marines served as land forces augmenting and serving besides the British Army in nearly all its campaigns during the War. In addition to the general actions listed below, it should be noted that the Marines also made dozens of coastal raids, about which little has been recorded. NEW ENGLAND MID-ATLANTIC Approximately 1,100 Marines served with General Howe during the Battle of Long Island and the retreat of patriot forces into New Jersey in 1776. Additionally, two Marine ‘grenadier companies’ were part of the forces occupying Philadelphia in 1777.

Text Box: British Marines trace their origins back to 1664 when a regiment of 1,200 soldiers was raised as part of the mobilization for the Second Dutch War to serve aboard His Majesty’s Fleet. This first unit of Naval Infantry was originally called the “Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot,” which soon became known simply as the “Admiral's Regiment.” The Regiment was very distinct, being dressed in yellow rather than the red of the other Regiments until 1685. The name "Marines" first appeared in official records in 1672. During its early history various Marine regiments were recruited exclusively for service at sea. Their existence in the late 17th and early 18th century was based strictly upon the need for them. Marine forces were raised for some emergency then quickly disbanded for years, sometimes decades, after the need had passed. Although they served directly with the Navy, Marines during this early period were essentially Army units serving aboard ship. They were commanded by Army officers and were administered under the jurisdiction of the Army’s War Office. The modern British Marines came into being on April 3, 1755 when an Order in Council approved the permanent establishment of 5,000 Marines, divided into 50 separate companies of 100 men, to be put under the command and administration of the Admiralty, rather than the War Office. Marines units continued to be organized along Army lines; however they were now commanded by Marine officers and served as the private army of the Admiralty. Training now began to emphasize naval warfare techniques, such as beach landings, boardings, and marksmanship. Headquarters of the Marines was located in the Admiralty Office at Whitehall. The Marine Commandant and generals were Royal Navy officers of flag rank. By 1775 the Marines adopted their service motto, “Per Mare Per Terrum” (By Land and By Sea), which is still used today. His Majesty’s Marines would not be known as Royal Marines until 1802. The Marines were an all volunteer force and were not impressed into service like the ordinary seamen serving in the Royal Navy. Thus, Marines were considered “trusted” men and while serving aboard ship were detailed to guard the powder magazine, the spirit room, the “scuttlebutt” or water keg, store rooms, and the captain’s cabin. Unlike impressed seamen, Marines were permitted to leave the ship for liberty or shore duty and had no ship handling duties on the vessel. A Marine on sea duty typically spent on an average of 4-5 hours each day cleaning and caring for his uniform, firelock, and accoutrements, when not standing guard watch or drilling on deck. There were many similarities between the average British soldier and the marine. Both enlisted for life or until discharged for incapacity. They were similarly armed, uniformed, and drilled. However, the caliber of men serving in His Majesty’s Marines was generally better than the average Army soldier. The Marines tended to attract more intelligent and adventuresome recruits due to the need for independent action in small units and the promise of world travel. Small contingents of Marines would travel the world on many ships, frequently returning back to England. A soldier could be stationed abroad, often in one place, for many years, sometimes indefinitely. Marine pay and food were slightly better than the Army, and unlike the Army a Marine’s pay increased with length of service. A Marine’s pay could also be supplemented during wartime by earning prize money for capturing an enemy vessel in battle, which was not possible for soldiers.

Text Box: Portraits of Marine officers. Top to bottom: a Captain of Marines, about 1670; a Captain of Marines, about 1690; a Lieutenant of Marines about 1775; a Marine Officer, 1780.

Arguably the largest force of Marines ashore occurred in Boston in 1775, where General Gage sought as many reinforcements as he could get. Approximately 1,160 Marines were provided by the Admiralty, eventually being organized into two battalions along Army models. Many of these Marines saw service during the battles of 1775, making significant impacts at the battles of Lexington and Concord and later Bunker Hill. After the Battle of Bunker Hill, Marine and Army forces were bottled up in Boston by colonial militia forces and were eventually forced to evacuate in March 1776 to Halifax, Nova Scotia. After spending nearly a year of inaction in Halifax, the Marines were eventually transferred back to various ships of the Fleet, destined to participate in later events during the War.

Marines also took part in the defense of Newport, Rhode Island in 1778. The British garrison, which included four army battalions, six Hessian battalions and numerous loyalist units, repulsed American hopes of capturing Newport and Narragansett Bay for use as a base for the French and Continental Navies.

CHESAPEAKE BAY

Virginia was also an early hotbed of rebellion. The Royal Governor of the colony, Lord Dunmore, called upon the Marines to seize the gunpowder stored in Williamsburg to keep it from falling into the hands of the increasingly belligerent American rebels. As hostilities erupted, Dunmore used the crown forces at his disposal, including the Marines from several Royal Navy ships, to attack gathering rebel militia forces at the Battle of Kemp’s Landing. Later, Dunmore would attempt to block communications between Virginia and North Carolina by constructing a fort near a large bridge on the main road between the two colonies. The colonists responded to the threat, sending troops to confront Dunmore’s forces at the Battle of Great Bridge.

SOUTHERN COLONIES

Marines were also present during the defense of Savannah, the Siege of Charleston, and the conquest of South Carolina. They also took part in several raids up the many rivers and creeks by boat. Their participation in the capture of Fort Moultrie was one of the notable British successes of the southern campaign.

Text Box: Model of marines embarked on a landing boat, made for the Admiralty around 1760. Such boats were used extensively by the navy to move soldiers and marines during the Revolutionary War. National Maritime Museum, UK

Later in the war, when the British returned to establish a foothold in Tidewater Virginia, Marines from several ships accompanied turncoat Brigadier General Benedict Arnold on his first assignment since defecting to the British. Together, and with reinforcements from several army and militia units, they established a base of operations at Portsmouth VA from which they conducted raids along the James River to destroy colonial military stores and production centers.

Marines were also present with General Cornwallis at Yorktown, where they helped defend the Fusiliers’ Redoubt, prompting Cornwallis to state that they “maintained their post with uncommon gallantry.”