The Sentinel—15
Chapter 4: Thompson’s Rifle Batallion Thompson’s Rifle Battalion was formed in response to a call for Riflemen to join the cause. “On June 14, 1775, The Continental Congress acted to send additional troops to the support of the New England Army. This was done by calling for the recruitment of 10 companies of riflemen in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia ... within 10 days after news of the battle of Bunker Hill had reached the Province of Pennsylvania her first regiment was officered and completed ... Colonel Thompson’s battalion were filled to overflowing…” [15] Two who responded to the call from William Thompson who was putting together Captains for his soon to be rifle company were William Hendricks and Robert Cluggage. Hendricks had been selected by Thompson of Carlisle as was Robert Cluggage. Both were appointed Captains. Under these men were men from present day Mifflin County and were among the first to enlist. Serving under Cluggage was John Davis and under Hendricks was William
A pair of Pennsylvania historical markers recognize Thompson’s Rifle Battalion. This marker tells of Captain James Chambers’ company. This marker can be found in Falling Spring Park in Chambersburg in Franklin County.
Small. While many men were enlisting to help those fighting in Lexington and Concord, this particular unit was different. The flintlock rifle in expert hands
was capable of consistently hitting a target at between 150 and 200 yards. Possibly Captain Hendricks with whom Small was under, devised a contest to
weed out the less skillful. An unnamed captain drew the figure of a nose on a board and placed at a distance of 150 yards. Sixty riflemen hit the target and
