American Legion (Great Britain)

The American Legion was a provincial cavalry and infantry corps (regiment) of the British Army in the American War of Independence commanded by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold.

This article is about the British military unit. For the organization of U.S. war veterans, see American Legion.

American Legion
American Legion reenactors at Colonial Williamsburg
Active1780–1783
Disbanded24 October 1783
Country Great Britain
AllegianceNew York
BranchBritish Army
TypeProvincial Troops
RoleCavalry and infantry
SizeCorps (regiment)
Part ofBritish American Forces
FacingsGreen
EngagementsAmerican War of Independence
Commanders
Commanding OfficerBrigadier General Benedict Arnold

History

The American Legion is notable for the fact that Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, who had previously served the United States and had defected to the British in 1780, was the commanding officer.[1] It was organised in October 1780 at New York.[2] The Legion accompanied Arnold in his raid upon Virginia. It was with him in his expedition into Connecticut in September 1781, in which two forts were stormed and dismantled, and the town of New London plundered and burned. The Legion was disbanded on 24 October 1783 at New Brunswick.[1]

Uniform

The Legion's uniform consisted of a red coat with green facings. The coat had short tails, as opposed to those worn by British Regulars who wore long tails.

References
  1. Collections of the New Brunswick Historical Society. Volume I. Saint John, N. B.: The Daily Telegraph Steam Book and Job Print. 1894. pp. 210-211. OL 7199069M – via Internet Archive. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. Katcher, Philip R. N. (1973). Encyclopedia of British, Provincial, and German Army Units—1775–1783. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. p. 82, 138. ISBN 0-8117-0542-0. OCLC 514627. OL 5291651M.

Further reading

See also
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