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Duke of Cumberland's Regiment

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Duke of Cumberland's Regiment
British Royal Governor Lord Charles Montagu organized and led the Duke of Cumberland's Regiment during the American Revolutionary War
Active1781-1783
Country Great Britain
Allegiance Great Britain
BranchBritish provincial unit
Typeinfantry (auxiliary troops)
SizeBattalions:

1st Battalion
2nd Battalion

5 companies (500 men)
Part ofGovernor Lord Charles Montagu
Garrison/HQProvince of South Carolina
Colony of Jamaica
Province of New York
EngagementsAmerican Revolutionary War
  • Never saw combat
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Governor Lord Charles Montagu
Captain Gideon White

The Duke of Cumberland's Regiment, also known as Montagu's Corps, South Carolina Rangers, and the Loyal American Rangers, was a British Loyalist provincial unit raised from American colonists and rebel prisoners by the former British Royal Governor of the Province of South Carolina, Lord Charles Montagu as well as in the colony of the Province of New York.[1][2]

American Revolution

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Lord Montagu raised 5 companies of 100 men each in Charleston and Camden, South Carolina as well as African slaves for service in Jamaica or elsewhere.[3] Montagu recruited rebel prisoners who agree to fight the Spanish - not their fellow Americans. The regiment was involved in a skirmish.[4] In August 1781, the regiment sailed for Jamaica and spent the war there. The second Battalion and Lord Montagu arrived in New York on 4 April 1783 to recruit for the Battalion. The Duke of Cumberland's Regiment was disbanded in Jamaica on 24 October 1783.[5]

Resettlement in Nova Scotia

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Captain Gideon White, Nova Scotia

Captain Gideon White's company was allowed to settle in Nova Scotia, settling at Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Sgt. Nathan Pushee settled at Chedabucto (present-day Guysborough), eventually founding present-day Amherst, Nova Scotia.[6] Montagu died soon after he arrived in Halifax and is buried at St. Paul's Church (Halifax), Nova Scotia.

Notable members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The journal of Alexander Chesney : A South Carolina loyalist in the revolution and after". 1921.
  2. ^ p. xxv
  3. ^ "Muster Books and Pay Lists (WO 12/10684) : Duke of Cumberland's Regiment : 1783. | the Loyalist Collection".
  4. ^ "List of Revolutionary War Battles, Raids & Skirmishes for 1781". 19 November 2017.
  5. ^ Arsenal of History: The Powder Magazine of South Carolina By R. Alan Stello, Jr
  6. ^ "Biography – PUSHEE, NATHAN – Volume VII (1836-1850) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography".
  7. ^ p. xxiv
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