Provincials and British Legion

During the American Revolutionary War, the British army recruited men from the colonies to fight for the Crown. These recruits were known as Provincials. They were uniformed professional soldiers who were trained to fight like the British army so they looked like “regular” British soldiers. They were a combination of infantry, cavalry, and artillery forces. Provincials were frequently joined by special units such as the Scottish Highlanders.  

British Provincials wore red or green uniforms.  In the Revolutionary War, cavalry units were typically referred to as “dragoons” or a “troop of horse.” Some Loyalist dragoons wore green, like Tarleton’s British Legion, or the Queen’s Rangers.  

Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton led the British Legion in the Battle of Waxhaws against Colonel Abraham Buford's and his men.

Christian Huck, a loyalist from Philadelphia, led a British Legion into the South Carolina back country near the Williamson's Plantation on Brattonsville. 

Standards

• 4-3 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the conflict between the American colonies and England.
  • Revolutions result from resistance to conditions that are perceived as unfair by the people who are demanding change. The changes brought about by revolution can be both positive and negative. To understand the results of the conflict between the Amer...
    • 4-3.3 Summarize the importance of the key battles of the Revolutionary War and the reasons for American victories including Lexington and Concord, Bunker (Breed’s) Hill, Charleston, Saratoga, Cowpens, and Yorktown.
• 8-2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the causes of the American Revolution and the beginnings of the new nation, with an emphasis on South Carolina’s role in the development of that nation.
  • The events surrounding the American Revolution transformed British colonists into American citizens. To understand South Carolina’s pivotal role in this process, the student will utilize the knowledge and skills set forth in the following indica...
    • 8-2.1 Explain the political and economic consequences of the French and Indian War on the relationship of the South Carolina colonists with Native Americans and England.