THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 1775-1783
Lamb's Artillery
John Lamb was one of the original members of the Sons of Liberty in New York City and was noted for his fiery oratory and writings to benefit the Patriot cause.
​
During the summer of 1775, Lamb, now a captain of artillery, began to raise a company. His men were from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Half of his company had been born in Europe, from England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany and one from Italy.
​
The Company's first action came the end of August where they removed cannon from New York City's Battery from under the guns of the Royal Navy warship Asia.
​
​
Lamb's Artillery went on the invasion of Canada. They played a prominent part in the capture of Fort St. Jean, Fort Chamblee and Montreal. Captain Lamb was wounded and most of the artillerymen were captured in the failed attack on the city of Quebec.
​
After his exchange, Lamb was promoted to Colonel and commanded 2nd Continental Regiment of Artillery. His men guarded West Point and participated in many actions, the defense of Fort Montgomery, Battle of Monmouth, Sullivan's Campaign and the Battle of Yorktown.
Lamb's Artillery is celebrating its 250th Anniversary! Please check out our Facebook page to see what happened on this day in 1775!
250 YEARS AGO: July 19 and 20
​
Enlisted July 19, 1775:
George Dalzell, a 40‑year‑old mason from Scotland, stood five feet six and a half inches tall. He enlisted as a Bombardier and was later promoted to Sergeant. By August 1780, he was listed under the Quartermaster General’s Department in Connecticut, within the Commissary General of Military Stores.
Samuel Hayes, a 20‑year‑old currier from New Jersey, joined as a Matross.
William Johnson, age 34 and hailing from Scotland, worked as a sawyer. A veteran of the Royal Artillery, he enlisted as a Sergeant. Over the course of the war, he rose to Lieutenant and ultimately Captain by its end.
Peter Newton, a 36‑year‑old sawyer—also from Scotland—and a former member of the Royal Artillery, entered Lamb’s Company as a Sergeant. Newton and Johnson likely served together in the 1st Battalion, Royal Artillery; Newton had previously joined in 1767 as a Matross in Captain Charleton’s Company. Both men were discharged on May 31, 1773, under Captain Standish’s command—suggesting an intriguing pattern of shared service.
William Poole, a 33‑year‑old sawyer from England, enlisted as a Bombardier. Though documentary evidence is lacking, it is highly probable that he, too, served in the Royal Artillery.
​
Enlisted July 20, 1775:
Robert Bard (Beard), aged 33, worked as a wheelwright in Ireland before joining the company as a Bombardier. He resided on Cortland Street in 1775.
James Patton, a 22‑year‑old tanner from Ireland, also enlisted as a Bombardier.
Members of Lamb's also portray Capt. Andersons Company of the 4th Battalion Royal Artillery, seen here at the Battle of Monmouth.