Our History

    The 4th Battalion was formed in January 1776, and was then under the command of Colonel Anthony Wayne, (a.k.a. "Mad Anthony"). After Wayne's promotion to Brigadier General, the 4th Battalion was mustered out and reformed as the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment under the command of Colonel Francis Johnson. The regiment continued to wear its distinctive uniform, insisted upon by Wayne, of blue coats with white facings and pewter buttons marked with 4BP, to signify the 4th Battalion. Members of the regiment served throughout the war and at the victory at Yorktown. Members were recruited from Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, and Philadelphia counties.

     The 4th PA Battalion/5th PA Regiment participated in the following engagements during the American War of Independence:

June 1776 Three Rivers, Canada
July 1776- January 1777 Garrison force at Ft. Ticonderoga
October 1776 Crown Point, NY
June 1777 New Brunswick, NJ
September 1777 Battle of Brandywine, PA
Paoli Massacre
October 1777 Battle of Germantown, PA
Winter 1777-78 Encampment at Valley Forge, PA
June 1778 Battle of Monmouth, NJ
July 1779 Battle of Stony Point, NY
July 1780 Assault on blockhouse at Bergen Heights
July 1781 Battle of Green Springs, VA
October 1781 Battle of Yorktown, VA

Unit Structure

The regiment currently fields two companies:  Light Infantry Company, commanded by John Godzieba, and Rifle Company, commanded by Bruce Cobb. Distaff is made up of non-combatants. Families of the soldiers are encouraged to participate in all events.