[2] By September 1779 recruitment for the unit was underway and the Rangers were stationed at Fort St. Johns on the Richelieu River.

[3] Despite Robert nominally being in command of the Rangers, he was inefficient and the burden of recruitment often fell to his brother.

[3] A year after the formation of the Rangers the area in which they were able to recruit from was extended with the permission of General Sir Frederick Haldimand.

Due to the relatively small size of the Rangers, Haldimand restricted their operational capabilities to conducting reconnaissance for other corps, constructing fortifications, executing general garrison duties, assisting refugees in Quebec, aiding the escape of Loyalist families, and guarding prisoners of war.

In February 1781, a number of soldiers from the Rangers were involved in the capture of Patriot leader Peleg Wadsworth.