~A Message from the Captain~
Good day America, and welcome to the 6th Connecticut Regiment, Company of Light Infantry. The 6th Connecticut is a re-created Military Regiment that portrays the Military style of two conflicts during the Birthing of America.
The Connecticut Militia was established in 1739 and the 6th Regiment of Connecticut Militia was active from the years 1739 to 1775. The Regiment was inactive during the year 1776, even though the 2nd Company, led by Major Return Jonathan Meigs, responded to the alarms of Lexington and Concord in 1775, by marching to Cambridge, Mass.
The Regiment was re-established in 1777 as the 6th Connecticut Regiment, Connecticut Continental Line. The current 6th Connecticut Regiment, Company of Light Infantry portrays the Regiment as it might have been during the years 1755-81, with our primary focus on the 4 years of 1777-81, the years of Continental Line Service.
Historically, this Regiment was one of just 15 recipients of a Congressiional Sword, as ordered by the Congress of the United States, during the Revolutionary War. The Honor given was a result of a raid, conducted by the 6th Connecticut, from the shores of Connecticut, across Long Island sound, to the military port of Sagg Harbout, Ny. More about that action elsewhere. Members of the 6th Connecticut also formed the right wing during Gen. Anthony Wayne's strorming of the British Fort at Stony Point, Ny, in a daring night-time bayonet attack. More on that later, also.
Currently the Regiment has some 30 members, consisting of a Captain, soldier-at-arms, a Regimental Surgeon, Surgeons mate, musicians, campfollowers and children. We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly unit. The Regiment became active in 1991 as an outgrowth of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Starting as a Colour Guard for that Organization, the 6th, while maintaining close ties to the SAR, had become an Independent Unit by 1995. It was felt, at that time, that there must other ways the 6th could devote it's time and energy to the cause of educating the publick about the American Revolution. The 6th Connecticut, became in that year, a Living History Organization.
The Regiment attends some 20 or so events in each Campaign year, as well as organizing some 4 events yearly. The events may be a one-day parade, or Muster, or a 3-day camp with many battle scenarios. We have attended events all over the North East, including events at Kingston, NY, Ft. Ticonderoga, NY, Monmouth, NJ, Saratoga, NY, Warwick, RI, and many locations here in Connecticut. Future events will take us to Bennington, VT., Fort #4, NH, Yorktown, Va., or where ever else the Regiment is asked to attend. We perform school presentations and work with educators in the enhancement of, the discussion of, and the teaching of, the life of the Military soldier, in American Uniform, during the Revolutionary War.
The Regiment has just recently established a Company of Musick and Colours, for all you frustrated field musicians out there, to attend us on the Battlefield. The 6th Connecticut is an 'equal-oppurtunity-army'! We encourage the enlistment of Men, Women, and Children in this unit, and we welcome all the diversity that America has to offer. Both men and women are encouraged to be line troops. We will teach you the drill, help you with out-fiting your uniform requirements, and guide you in your 18th Century personna.
If you are interested in American History, if you enjoy camping out on weekends in some of America's most pristine and hallowed parklands, if you like the smell of gunpowder, the heft of an 11 lb. musket, the wave of the flag, or honoring American's First Veteran's: if you like the smell of a wood cook-fire, the sizzle of bacon-in-the-pan, the beat of the drum and the shrill of the fife; if you like teamwork, military drill, the crack of the musket and the pleasure that comes with a thing well done, then, the 6th Connecticut is your home. Come and join us, won't you? You will not be dissappointed, I promise.
I Remain,
At Your Service
Richard Swartwout, Cmndr.
(aka, Capt. Eleazer Clanghorn)
Capt., 6th Connecticut
Company of Light Infantry 1777-81