As originally organized, the 1st Georgia Battalion was to have eight companies, each of 48 rank and file. The eighth company was the rifle company. When the 2nd and 3rd Battalions were organized they were to have the then standard eight company (80 rank and file) organization. Apparently the 1st Georgia also adopted this organization.
In his instructions to his recruiting officers, Elbert expressed a desire to have two rifle companies in the 2nd Georgia There is no mention, however, of rifle companies in either the 2nd or 3rd Battalions. Riflemen were definitely present in the Continental units, however. At the naval engagement at Darien in 1778, mention is made of the 1st and 2nd Divisions of Riflemen. One assumes that the term "division" is meant to represent more than one platoon.
In May l778, the battalion organization was changed to the companies with the formation of light and grenadier companies in each battalion. The grenadiers were formed into the Corps of Georgia Grenadiers under Captain Moore (2nd Georgia). The light infantry and light dragoons were formed into the Corps of Light Troops under Lt. Colonel Harris (1st Georgia).
When troops of mounted rangers were expanded into the Light Dragoon Regiment, its establishment was to be l2 troops, each of 50 men, plus a regimental staff. The artillery companies were to have 50 men each.
In February 1778, Congress ordered the infantry reduced to two battalions, the dragoons to four troops, and the artillery to two companies. This was never carried out. In November 1779 the establishment was reduced to a single infantry battalion. As there was virtually nothing left of the Brigade by this time, this organization was only a paper one, though officers were appointed. It should be noted that among the infantry, the companies were largely administrative bodies. The normal tactical unit was the platoon of about 25 men plus officers and file closers. Platoons were formed with little regard for company or even battalion integrity.
It is difficult to be precise about average brigade strengths as very few records survive. One fact that should be remembered is that the 2nd, 3rd, Light Dragoons, and Artillery were recruited almost entirely from Virginia. This recruiting area was closed to Georgia in the fall of 1776. This meant that units received almost no replacements and strengths declined accordingly.
Also, strength returns can cause some confusion, especially in trying to work out a wargame organization. Returns often show "effectives" who may or may not be located with the unit. The important document is the "state" which shows where everyone is actually located 1n the following strengths, I show enlisted strengths (total) of privates, corporals and sergeants assigned to companies.
| 1st Georgia Battalion | April 28, 1776 | July 1777 |
|---|---|---|
| Furlough | 12 | 5 |
| Recruiting | 5 | 4 |
| Sick | 11 | 15 |
| Attending Sick | 3 | -- |
| Armourers | 3 | -- |
| Prisoners | 6 | 7 |
| Servants | 10 | -- |
| Deserted | -- | 42 |
| On Command | -- | 4 |
| On Duty | 228 | 156 |
| Total | 278 | 233 |
| 2nd Georgia Battalion | July 1777 |
|---|---|
| Total | 405 |
| [Note: No state is given; however, Paymaster Joseph Clay stated that at this time the Brigade had about 600 rank and file present for duty in the infantry. This would give the 2nd around 260 present for duty.] | |
| 3rd Georgia Battalion | July 1777 |
|---|---|
| On Duty | 238 |
| Recruiting | 5 |
| Furlough | 1 |
| Sick | 88 |
| Deserted | 62 |
| Dead | 7 |
| Total | 405 |
| Light Dragoons | July 21, 1777 |
|---|---|
| Total | 312 |
| Deserters | 40 |
| [Note: This unit was in a state of virtual mutiny at this time, so any figures are suspect] | |
1st Artillery (Young) July 12, 1777: shows 13 men present and 4 deserters for a total complement of 17 men.
2nd Artillery (Morris) July 28. 1777: shows 29 men on duty, 1 on command, 2 sick and 1 in jail, for a total of 33 men.
Lee's Artillery Company July 17. 1777: the report indicates that 21 men were on duty, 2 were dead, 5 sick, 7 deserters and 3 in jail, for a total contingent of 38 men.
For the Florida Campaign of 1778, Elbert was able to muster 700-800 men initially. This number was drawn from all units except Morris's Company. A rough estimate of the strength at the end of the campaign can be made from Commissary Sheftall's ration request. This no doubt contains a great number of men siclc with their units, but should contain none in hospitals.
| 1st Georgia | 90 - 100 |
| 2nd Georgia | 200 |
| 3rd Georgia | 160 - 175 |
| 4th Georgia | 60 - 75 |
| Light Dragoons | 100 - 120 |
| Artillery | 60 - 70 |
Following the destruction of the Brigade in early 1779, there are, surprisingly, a fair number of returns still in existence for the spring and summer of 1779. Most of these are meaningless as far as units are concerned due to the small number of troops. The following example is from the June 1 payroll (R&F denotes rank and file):
| Type | 1st GA | 2nd GA | 3rd GA | 4th GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Officers Present | 4 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
| Officers Absent | 1 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| Sargents Present | 5 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Sargents Hospital | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3(detached) |
| R&F Present | l4 | 33 | 31 | 6 |
| R&F Hospital | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| R&F Detached/Leave | 1 | 9 | 2 | 4 |
| Sick | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dead | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Musicians Present | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Musicians Detached | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| POW's Present | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 (officers) |
| Unaccounted | 4 | Q | Q | Q |
| Total | 37 | 56 | 44 | 34 |
The above make no mention of the artillery, though some did escape the 1778-79 debacle. The on1y mention of the Light Dragoons strength is of some 35 present in the summer of 1779.
Georgia Brigade Historical Analysis
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© Copyright 1997 by James E. Purky
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