- Knowlton's Rangers
Knowlton's Rangers were the
United States of America 's first organizedespionage organization, as well as the first American Ranger unit formed after America declared its independence from theUnited Kingdom . [ [http://www.history.hihihihihihihihihihihihihihihih/journal/Summer04/spies.cfm Spies and Scouts, Secret Writing, and Sympathetic Citizens] fromHistory.org ] Named after their commander,Thomas Knowlton , they were formed in 1776.History
Formation
On
August 12 ,1776 , General of the ArmyGeorge Washington promoted Knowlton toLieutenant Colonel . He was ordered to select an elite group of men from Connecticut,Rhode Island , and Massachusetts to carry out reconnaissance missions. America's first official spies, "Knowlton's Rangers" were also the first organized American elite troops, analogous to a modern special forces unit. The famous American spy, CaptainNathan Hale , was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton. The date "1776" on the modernU.S. Army 's intelligence service seal refers to the formation of Knowlton's Rangers.Battle of Harlem Heights
On
September 16 ,1776 , Knowlton's Rangers, outfitted as a regiment oflight infantry , were scouting in advance of Washington's Army at Harlem Heights, New York. They stumbled upon theBlack Watch , an elite Highlander British unit with an attachment ofHessians . They managed a successful retreat but re-engaged the enemy with the support of a unit led by Major Leitch ofVirginia . General Washington ordered the units to fall on the enemy's rear, while a feint in front engaged the British troops’ attention. An American premature shot into the right flank of the British ruined Washington's plan and placed Knowlton's Rangers and the Virginians at risk. Once the premature shot had been fired, Knowlton rallied his troops to carry on the attack. Both commanding officers were killed in front of their men. Knowlton's loss was lamented by Washington in his general orders forSeptember 17 ,1776 with the statement "The gallant and brave Col Knowlton, ... would have been an Honor to any Country, having fallen yesterday, while gloriously fighting ...".References
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