New Hall Military Museum

Michael Plasmeier, Jordan Berman, and Morey Rosner

New Hall Military Museum

The Building

• It was built in 1790 as part of the Carpenter’s company. In 1791 and 1792, the building was the headquarters of the War Department, which had only 6 people in it. The building itself was built in 1959 to house the museum.

• It became a military museum because of its history as the War Department’s headquarters. The Marines have a large floor to themselves because they donated money to build it. The museum houses various artifacts from the Revolution, such as drums, ropes, and cannonballs. It tells the story of the various armed forces during, and shortly after, the American Revolution.

Maritime Events

• 1775• November 10 - Congress plans to raise two battalions of Marines • November 28 - Samuel Nicholas named captain of Marines • population- 2,600,300

• 1777• January 3 – Marines (4 companies) led by Nicholas participate in the

victory at Princeton under the command of General Washington • October 2 - Marines from Continental frigate Andrew Doria assist at the

evacuation of Fort Billingsport • 1778

• April 22 - Marines from the Continental sloop Ranger land at Whitehaven and burn ships in the harbor

• April 23 - Marines from the Continental sloop Ranger land at St. Mary’s Island in an attempt to capture the Earl of Selkirk, proving the weakness of the British coastline

Interview

• We interviewed Ranger Renee Coachfield

• Response integrated into presentation

Maritime Events

• 1779• July 28 - Continental frigate Warren is burned by a

British raiding party at Penobscot River • 1780

• June 1 - Continental frigate Trumbull defeats the British privateer Watt

• September 21- Benedict Arnold's plan to surrender West Point is uncovered

• 1781• May 29 - Continental frigate Alliance engages two

British sloops Atalanta and Jrepassy, capturing both

Infantry• "The Battle Line" • Officer stands at the left of the formation • Commanding sergeant stands at the rear of the formation • A platoon consists of two ranks of soldiers • Four platoons equal one regiment • Regiments are deployed as the main force of the army

Cavalry

• "Dragoons"• Purpose: Scouting force

• Armed with pistols

• A detachment normally consisted of 10 dragoons

• "Hussars"• Purpose: Heavy Cavalry used to break the enemy

line

• Armed with sabers (combat swords)

Artillery• Purpose: Used to disrupt and weaken the enemy

line • The gun crew consisted of 7 men along with

others to assist in physical labor • The gun crew sergeant (commanding officer)

needed to estimate timing, distance, and precision of the bombardment

Payscale (Monthly) and Rations (1776)• Captain $26.50 • Lieutenant $18 • Sergeant $8 • Corporal $7 1/3 • Fifer $7 1/3 • Drummer $7 1/3 • Private $ 6 2/3

• 1 lb Bread • 1 lb Pork • 1/2 lbs Peas • 4oz Cheese • 1/2 pt Rum • Plus, discretionary

allowance on extra duty and in times of engagement

African Americans

• 5,000 Africans in the war • We needed soldiers; but after the war, they

didn’t fight again until the civil war. • Rhode Island Regiment was often called the

Black Regiment

In Front of a Model of a Privateer

Privateers

• Rattlesnake • Private warships • 2 thousand ships • Shared booty with the men • Mixed blessing

• took away from regular navy • but were able to capture lots of British