Back to the Brigade Home Page
The original 8th Pennsylvania Regiment was formed in July 1776 of men from Westmoreland and Bedford counties in western Pennsylvania. They marched from Hannastown, Pa., to New Jersey in the winter of 1776-77, and the following campaign season took part in a number of battles, including Paoli, Brandywine, White Marsh, Boundbrook, and Germantown as part of Gen. Anthony Wayne's division. During this period 135 men and officers were detached to Daniel Morgan and participated in the Saratoga campaign as part of his rifle corps.
After wintering at Valley Forge the regiment was assigned to the Western Department, headquartered at Fort Pitt. In the Western Department, the unit helped construct and garrison Fort McIntosh on the Beaver River, and Fort Laurens on the Tuscarawas. They took part in campaigns against the Indian towns in northwest Pennsylvania in concert with the Sullivan/Clinton campaign, and again against the hostile Indians in southeast Ohio. They also helped garrison Fort Pitt, Fort Henry, and a number of smaller posts.
Following the reduction of the Pennsylvania Line in the winter of 1780-81 the unit was redesignated "the detachment of the Pennsylvania Line", and consisted of two companies. It remained in the Western Department till the end of the war.
The recreated 8th Pennsylvania was formed in 1974 and is a member unit of The Brigade of the American Revolution. The unit has performed throughout the Midwest, Eastern and Southern United States, Canada, and England. The members portray the unit as it appeared in the Spring of 1779. Tile unit owns its own tentage and camp equipment, and supplies cartridges to its members for all unit sanctioned events. Authenticity is stressed, as is constant research. The 8th Pennsylvania welcomes new recruits that are anxious to accurately portray soldiers, musicians and distaff of the American Revolution.