The regiment was formed in February 1777 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from British deserters and Colonel John White was appointed its commander.

The unit soon acquired a bad reputation for plundering the area in which it camped and was moved far from Philadelphia.

In early August one of its soldiers was murdered in Philadelphia and the authorities moved the regiment into camp west of the city along the Lancaster Road.

They reported that the troops robbed travelers, broke into houses, burned fences, chopped down trees, stole things, and killed livestock.

They were caught and sentenced to death, but the colonel's wife asked for clemency and the men received 300 lashes instead.