British Army Independent Companies in South Carolina

The first three English independent companies in North America arrived in Boston in 1664, and were used to conquer the Dutch colony of New Netherland.

During the French and Indian Wars, independent garrison companies were stationed not only in the New York Colony, but also in Massachusetts Bay, Virginia, and South Carolina.

The British Army was largely recruited among the poor and the criminal classes; yet, the independent companies had lower status.

As the independent companies were virtually ignored by the military authorities in Britain they became dependent on the local American communities, often relying on them for food, clothing, and housing.

[5][6][7] Facing an expected Spanish threat, the province of South Carolina in 1719 requested military aid from the motherland.

In 1746 three understrength independent companies were sent to South Carolina, their 60 officers and other ranks forming a core for enlargement; the missing men to be recruited in Charleston and Virginia.

In addition to the 300 men from his own provincial Virginia Regiment, an independent company from South Carolina was sent under the command of Captain James Mackay to his aid; ultimately suffering defeat and surrender with Washington at the Battle of Fort Necessity.

[13][14][15] Later, the company, now under Captain Paul Demere, participated in Braddock's Expedition, again suffering a defeat, now at the battle of the Monongahela.

During the expedition's confused retreat, the steadfastness and fighting spirit of these two companies saved the remnants of the army from being surrounded and totally annihilated.