Authorized in January 1777, the unit was intended to be made up of four companies of light infantry and 500 Indian scouts.

Two companies commanded by Captains John Gist and Joseph Smithand were attached to the 3rd Maryland Regiment[1] while one company commanded by Captain Samuel Lapsley was attached to the 12th Virginia Regiment[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] during the Philadelphia Campaign in summer and fall 1777, and at Monmouth in June 1778.

The regiment was probably involved in Light Horse Harry Lee's Paulus Hook Raid in August 1779.

Sir: You are hereby authorized and Impowered to raise four Companies of Rangers upon the Continental pay, Rank, and establishment.

To enable you to do this, you are furnished with a Warrant for 3,000 Dollars to recruit with; part of the bounty to be given at the time of Inlisting, and the other part when the men join the Battalion or Corps they belong to.That you may not be restricted in the choice of Officers fit for this kind of Service, I leave the Nomination of them (that is for the four Companies) to yourself, reserving to myself a Negative upon any improper choice as in other Cases.You are to delay no time in forwarding these Companies to the Army (under my immediate Command) as fast as possible where they will be received and provided with necessaries, you are to keep me duly advised of your proceedings that I may know in what time to expect your assistance, When you consider the advanced Season, and compare it with the time we shall undoubtedly be called into the Field I am perswaded it will be a powerful argument in favour of your every exertion to raise the Men.