Both sides made rather limited use of cavalry during the American Revolutionary War. On the British side, the difficulty in transporting horses across the Atlantic, and of finding fodder for them was a major impediment, but the nature of the terrain in the 13 Colonies was an even bigger factor. Much of the land was still dense forests, swampland, and hills with limited opportunities for the tactical deployment of mounted troops. Still, they were useful; as scouts and messengers, and there were a few small cavalry charges during the course of the War.
As part of the reorganization of the Continental army in 1799, 4 regiments of Continental Light Dragoons were created. What became the 3rd regiment was raised by William Baylor in January of 1777, from men residing in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, and thus was known as Baylor's Dragoons.
Throughout its existence, the troopers wore white jackets with blue facings, with the shade varying from light through dark blue over time.
This is probably the uniform that most think of when they think of Continental Light Dragoons.
The device on the red flag is supposed to be a pair of Antlers. Flag by Adolfo Ramos, miniatures are Perry. Curiously, all of their American AWI cavalry are one piece castings (with rather frail legs, I might add), whilst all the British Cavalry are 2 part figures (i.e., horse and rider are separate). I much prefer the later
The Regiment didn't get off to a very auspicious start; it was ambushed in Tappan, NY in October 0f 1778; Baylor and all but 20 of the 104 men of the Regiment were captured. Thereafter, William Washington, a cousin of General George Washington, commanded the regiment. It suffered further losses at Camden and then in South Carolina, fighting at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, but did manage a charge upon Tarleton's forces in the final stages of the Battle of Cowpens in 1781.
We've been having and old fashioned New England winter so far this year; It is very cold now (6 degrees F), with between 10 and 20 inches of snow anticipated tomorrow. That can't help but make one contemplate the misery of even winter encampments, such as Morristown and Valley Forge, and, here in Connecticut, Putnam. Then consider Benedict Arnold's audacious invasion of Canada in 1776, when his ultimately unsuccessful attempt to capture Quebec was delayed not once but twice by blizzards in December!
