Revolutionary War Rifleman William Loyd (1747-1834)

When I enrolled my husband in the Sons of the American Revolution organization, it wasn’t merely a lark (although I’ll confess that I did take an easy path by piggy-backing on the work his cousins had done for their DAR application). In addition to this particular ancestor – Samuel Pickerill, Jr – my husband has three additional direct ancestors that fought in the Revolution as well as seven others (cousins, uncles) who were Patriots. One of these was his fifth great-grandfather, William Loyd (or Lloyd), a private in Captain Gabriel Long’s Company of the 11th Virginia Regiment of Foot under the command of Colonel Daniel Morgan. 

William enlisted for three-years’ service on 18 September 1776 in Culpeper County, Virginia.[1] I haven’t had much luck finding any records for him prior to this date in Virginia or elsewhere. A biography notes he was born in Wales, but that has not been proven.[2] Here is as good a place as any to remind myself (and you) that only 10% of genealogy records are on-line. Given COVID restrictions and all, I will have to come back to William someday to complete his biography. For now, I have to be content with what I know about his Revolutionary War service and, frankly, it’s pretty neat. 

Colonel Daniel Morgan had been an officer in the Virginia Colonial Militia during the French and Indian Wars and was chosen to command one the rifle companies created by the Continental Congress in 1775.[3] In late 1775, he and Colonel Benedict Arnold led three rifle companies into Canada where he was captured by the British after the Battle of Quebec. Paroled in September 1776, Morgan was rewarded for his bravery with a promotion and the command of the 11th Virginia Regiment.[4]

William’s immediate commander, Gabriel Long, had also served in the French and Indian War and was regarded one of the best riflemen in Virginia. Responsible for personally recruiting his company of riflemen, Long recruited men from Loudoun, Frederick, Prince William and Amelia Counties in Virginia, which may be a clue as to where William was living at the time.[5]

The “smoothbore” musket was by far the most commonly used weapon for American soldiers during the Revolution, but it was the rifle that Americans expected would win the war.[6] The American rifle (also called the Kentucky Long Rifle or Pennsylvania Long Rifle) was developed from a Swiss rifle introduced by Germans in the colonies around 1700.[7] The peculiarities of American colonial and frontier life necessitated alterations to the heavy short rifle used in Europe. American “backwoodsmen” need a more accurate, lighter, quick-fire hunting rifle and the American rifle was born. With rifles, the Continental Army’s elite marksmen could accurately shoot from a distance of 250-300 yards.[8] Remembering his experiences before the Revolution, Washington expected these expert marksmen would form the core of his army.[9] Nevertheless, he experienced some frustration trying to establish good order and discipline with these “backcountry,” independent-minded riflemen.[10]

Because the rifle was much slower to load than the musket, it was primarily used under cover – wherever trees or other obstructions would give the rifleman time to reload.[11] Although the musket was inherently inaccurate and had a short range, it could shoot up to four rounds per minute and was equipped with a bayonet.[12] Nevertheless, many Rifle Regiments (especially the Virginians and North Carolinians) were able to maximize the rifle’s advantages and were especially effective when used conjunction with soldiers sporting muskets and bayonets.[13] Colonel Morgan’s Rifle Corps was often cited as the “high-water mark” for riflemen during the war.[14] Morgan’s regiment was thought to be the most “respectable body of Continental troops that were ever in America.”[15]

 In my minds-eye, I pictured William and his fellow riflemen dressed like Colonial frontiersmen and that is not far from the mark. Virginia appears not to have been able to provide its soldiers with standard military coats nor much else in the way of equipment.[16] Attired in buckskin breeches, wool or linen “hunting shirts,” many sported moccasins and a round felt hat.[17] No tri-cornered hats for these men.

 In February of 1777, before he was even done recruiting his sharpshooters, Colonel Morgan was directed by congress to march his troops to join General Washington in New Jersey.[18] The men were to bring their own arms, blankets and clothes.[19] The first muster roll for Captain Long’s Rifle Company (with Pvt. William Loyd) is dated 16 May 1777, a month before Morgan took official command of his regiment of Rangers.[20] The men were in a camp near Bound Brook, New Jersey and had already suffered casualties on the way to New Jersey. This first muster roll lists thirteen men as prisoners and eight killed.

 Throughout the spring and summer of 1777, Washington used William and his fellow Rangers to harass British Colonel William Howe’s troops in New Jersey forcing them to retreat to Staten Island in June.[21] “The heavily encumbered English or German [Hessian mercenary] soldier was no match for the lightly equipped and active backwoodsman in a trial of speed.”[22]

 Morgan’s regiment was then deployed to Trenton and northern New York, where the “terror inspired by his name among the Canadians and Indians, had induced a general desertion of these branches of the British force.”[23] Morgan’s Rangers distinguished themselves at the Battles of Saratoga (September-October 1777) which resulted in the surrender of British troops under command of General John Burgoyne and marked a turning point in the war.[24] It was reported that when he met Colonel Morgan, General Burgoyne said, “Sir, you command the finest regiment in the world.”[25]

 After Saratoga, Morgan’s regiment made its way south to join the Main Army for its winter encampment at Valley Forge. On the way, Morgan’s riflemen joined with the Marquis de Lafayette in a battle with Cornwallis at Gloucester Point, New Jersey. Some of Morgan’s men were unable to join in this fight for lack of shoes.[26] The are no muster rolls for Long’s company in November of 1777, but the company’s payroll reflects William was an active member. 

 One of the most famous episodes of the American Revolution, the winter encampment at Valley Forge was one of tremendous suffering from cold and starvation, although not a completely unusual experience for the Continental soldier.[27] William is recorded as having been there from December 1777 until April 1778.[28] Despite their privations, the rifle corps had scouting duties and were placed in advance on the lines west of Philadelphia at the Radnor Friends Meetinghouse, a Quaker meeting house now on the National Register of Historic Places.[29]

 In June of 1778, Morgan commanded his Rangers leading up to and during the Battle at Monmouth Courthouse in New Jersey.[30] It was during this battle that the tale of “Molly Pitcher” was born.[31] In his pension papers, William said he was discharged from duty at “Fort Sullivan” on the Susquehanna River at the New York-Pennsylvania border by General John Sullivan himself. This fort, at Tioga Point, Athens, Pennsylvania was built in 1779.[32] William is shown on a final payroll in September 1779.

 I know I have provided a lot of facts and figures about William, but I completely geeked-out to find him associated with all of these famous people and having participated in all of these famous battles.[33] It is one thing to hear about these Revolutionary War moments, but quite another to find an ancestor involved in them; especially in such a notable fashion. In gratitude for the 11th Virginia Regiment of Food, Washington issued this general order:

The Commander in Chief returns his warmest thanks to Col. Morgan, and the officers and men of his intrepid corps, for their gallant behavior in the several skirmishes with the enemy yesterday. He hopes the most spirited conduct will distinguish the whole army, and gain them a just title to the praises of their country, and the glory due to brave men. They will remember, that they are engaged in the cause of humanity and of freedom, and that the period is probably at hand, when, by their noble and generous exertions, the Liberties and Independence of America shall be firmly established.[34]

 Way to go William!

_______________________________

[1] “William Loyd” (Pvt., 11th Vir. Reg., Revolutionary War); digital images in “Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War” database, Fold3 (http://www.fold3.com : accessed 10 May 2021); imaged from  Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army during the American Revolution, National Archives microfilm publication M88, roll 1070. 

[2] William Smith Bryan and Robert A. Rose, A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri: With Numerous Sketches, Anecdotes, Adventures, Etc., Relating to Early Days in Missouri. Also the Lives of Daniel Boone and the Celebrated Indian Chief, Black Hawk, with Numerous Biographies and Histories of Primitive Institutions (St. Louis: Bryan Brand & Company, 1876), 277.

[3] Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, ed. Worthington C. Ford, et al. (Washington, D.C, 1904-37), 2:89.

[4] Harry Schenawolf, “Daniel Morgan: Incredible Fighter – His Brilliance Saved the American Revolution in its Darkest Hour,” Revolutionary War Journal, 20 June 2019; digital image, revolutionarywarjournal.com (https://www.revolutionarywarjournal.com/general-daniel-morgan-incredible-fighter-his-brilliance-saved-the-american-revolution-in-its-darkest-hour/#more-6066 : accessed 27 April 2021). James Graham, The Life of General Daniel Morgan of the Virginia Line of the Army of the United States, with Portions of His Correspondence (New York: Derby & Jackson, 1856), 116-117; digital images, HathiTrust(https://hdl.handle.net/2027/njp.32101021408867 : accessed 27 April 2021).

[5] Wikipedia, “Gabriel Long,” rev. 00:27, 10 August 2020.

[6] “Riflemen of the Revolution,” American Rifleman (no date); digital image, americanrifleman.org(https://www.americanrifleman.org/Webcontent/pdf/2009-5/200959133346-riflemen_revolution.pdf : accessed 27 April 2021). Neil L. York, “Pennsylvania Rifle: Revolutionary Weapon in A Conventional War?” The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, vol. 130, no. 3, 1979, pp. 302-324; JSTOR (http://www.jstor.org/stable/20091374 : accessed 26 April 2021).

[7] Scheanwolf, “Rifle Companies in the Continental Army.” York, “Pennsylvania Rifle,” 305.

[8] Ibid

[9] York, “Pennsylvania Rifle,” 304-6.

[10] Patrick H. Hannum, Lt. Col. (Ret’d), USMC, “America’s First Company Commanders,” Infantry Online(https://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/magazine/issues/2013/Oct-Dec/Hannum.html : accessed 27 April 2021).

[11] Harry Scheawolf, “Rifle Companies in the Continental Army – Premier Weapon of the American Revolution,” Revolutionary War Journal, 20 May 2019; digital image, revolutionarywarjournal.com (https://www.revolutionarywarjournal.com/rifles-in-revolutionary-america-premier-weapon-of-the-world-why-did-the-military-still-use-muskets/ : accessed 27 April 2021).

[12] Ibid.

[13] John W. Wright, “The Rifle in the American Revolution,” The American Historical Review, vol. 29, no. 2 (1924), p. 293-99; digital image, JSTOR(www.jstor.org/stable/1838519 : accessed 27 April 2021). York, “Pennsylvania Rifle,” 311. 

[14] York, “Pennsylvania Rifle,” 312.

[15] Ibid, 316.

[16] Andrew John Gallup, “The Equipment of the Virginia Soldier in the American Revolution,” College of William & Mary Dissertations, Theses and Masters Projects, Paper 1539625655 (1991), 53-4, 95 ; digital image, W&M ScholarWorks (https://scholarworks.wm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4635&context=etd : accessed 27 April 2021).

[17] York, “Pennsylvania Rifle,” 308.

[18] James Graham, The Life of General Daniel Morgan of the Virginia Line of the Army of the United States, with Portions of His Correspondence (New York: Derby & Jackson, 1856), 120; digital images, HathiTrust (https://hdl.handle.net/2027/njp.32101021408867 : accessed 27 April 2021).

[19] Graham, The Life of Daniel Morgan, 120 [Letter from Richard Peters, Secretary, War Office, to Col. Morgan, 24 February 1777].

[20] “Muster Roll of Capt. Gabriel Long’s Company of the Eleventh Virginia Regiment of Foot Commanded by Col. Daniel Morgan, Camp Moan Bound Brook May 16th 1777,” for William Loyd, Private; digital image, Ancestry.com, “U.S. Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783” (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 May 2021); original data, “Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783, National Archives microfilm publication M246, roll [not noted]. 

[21] Scheawolf, “Daniel Morgan.” Graham, The Life of General Daniel Morgan, 127-28.

[22] Graham, The Life of General Daniel Morgan, 144.

[23] Hyperbole or no, I hope William enjoyed the reputation of his regiment. Graham, The Life of General Daniel Morgan, 141-42.

[24] Ibid, 24. Wikipedia, “Battles of Saratoga,” rev. 07:35, 26 February 2021.

[25] Graham, The Life of General Daniel Morgan, 172.

[26] Ibid, 180.

[27] “Overview of History and Significance: Encampment,” History & Culture, Valley Forge National Historical Park, National Park Service (https://www.nps.gov/vafo/learn/historyculture/valley-forge-history-and-significance.htm : accessed 28 April 2021).

[28] The Muster Roll Project, Valley Forge Legacy, ValleyForgeMusterRoll.org, (http://valleyforgemusterroll.org/muster.asp : accessed 27 April 2021), Muster Roll information for Private William Lloyd.

[29] Graham, The Life of General Daniel Morgan, 187. Wikipedia, “Radnor Friends Meetinghouse,” rev. 11:30, 30 March 2021.

[30] Wikipedia, “Battle of Monmouth,” rev. 16:25, 19 April 2021.

[31] Ibid.

[32] “Fort Sullivan, Tioga Point, Athens Pennsylvania,” Historical Echoes of Chemung, NY (https://historicalechoes.weebly.com/fort-sullivan-tioga-point-athens-pa.html : accessed 29 April 2021).

[33] Although truth be told, I am such a Revolutionary War geek that I think every battle was famous!

[34] George Washington, George Washington Papers, Series 3, Varick Transcripts, 1775 to 1785, Subseries 3G, General Orders, 1775 to 1783, p. 378, 9 December 1777; digital images, Library of Congress, image 318 of 355 (https://www.loc.gov/resource/mgw3g.002/?sp=318 : accessed 27 April 2021).

“Morgan’s Rifleman. South” engraving by Alonzo Chappel, 1880.