The Congressional resolution of June 14, 1775 authorized ten companies of expert riflemen to be raised for one-year enlistments as Continental Army troops.
All thirteen companies were sent to Washington's army at Boston for use as light infantry and later as special reserve forces.
There men are remarkable for the accuracy of their aim; striking a mark with great certainty at two hundred yards distance.
At a review, a company of them, while in a quick advance, fired their balls into objects of seven inches diameter at the distance of 250 yards .
The regiment served in the New York and New Jersey campaign, seeing action at the battles of Trenton, Assunpink Creek and Princeton.