The regiment participated in the unsuccessful defense of New York City and was captured in part at Fort Washington on November 16, 1776, along with its commander, Colonel Robert Magaw.

However, historian Mark Boatner asserts that on 26 May 1781 Wayne went south with 1,000 men and six guns of the 2nd, 5th, and 6th Pennsylvania and the 4th Continental Artillery Regiment.

[1] Colonel Richard Humpton led his troops at the Battle of Green Spring on 6 July, though on this occasion, Boatner refers to the unit as a battalion.

June 26, 1777 – As part of Lord Stirling's Division the regiment probably joined the army in time to participate in the battle of Short Hills.

It was during this action that the "wives of several of the soldiers belonging to the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment.. took the empty canteens of their husbands and friends and returned them filled with water...during the hottest part of the engagement, although frequently cautioned as to the danger of coming into the line of fire."

Leading the assault column, Captain Jacob Bower's company of the 6th Pennsylvania attacked the British pickets at Mount Airy.

[3] Conway's Brigade continued to attack and eventually drove "the enemy a mile and a half below Chew's house" before being forced to retire.

December 19, 1777 – After an encampment of almost six weeks at Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania, the army moved into its winter quarters at Valley Forge where they would remain for the next six months.