Among the independent militia companies formed prior to 1774 was that of the Marine Society of Newburyport. At a meeting in the Wolfe Tavern in Newburyport the Independent Marine Company was formed under the command of Captain James Hudson, who operated an important salt works in Massachusetts. It is claimed to be the first militia company of seamen mustered to defend American rights in the revolution. The Newburyport Independent Marine Company had about 76 members. Their colors combined the insignia of the State, a standard of a blue anchor on a red field, supported by a pine tree and olive branch. This speculative image is the work of vexillologist Dave Pawson.

The legend behind this interesting flag is that it was a British Regimental color captured on the first day of the American Revolution. Since there were no British Colors reported lost that day, and none of the regiments present carried any similar colors, the whole story is untrue. In fact, it is now believed this flag was actually a loyal militia flag. Major Samuel Forster, a Massachusetts officer, apparently acquired the flag sometimes during the war, and after his death, when his family discovered it among his belongings, they believed it to be a captured British flag.

The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was a Continental Army regiment from Rhode Island during the American Revolutionary War (1781–1783). Like most regiments of the Continental Army, the unit went through several incarnations and name changes.

Although tradition claims that the Rhode Islanders were among the first to join the Minutemen outside of Boston, and the Rhode Island regiments served at the Battles of Brandywine Creek and Trenton, the regiments were not formed until 1781. They most certainly were at Yorktown and remained active until the end of the Revolution. The starry canton in the flag of the Rhode Island Regiment symbolized national unity, but the white field corresponded to the uniforms of the Rhode Island troops. The anchor symbol and motto which completed the design had been used as a government symbol since 1647 and is carried in the current state flag.

The Battle of Brooklyn Heights, part of the longer Long Island campaign of the Summer of 1776, was the first battle of George Washington's new Continental Army, just a month after it was formed. It began a series of defeats for the untried rebel forces at the hands of British General Howe's experienced combat forces that eventually ended with Washington's famed night-time retreat across the East River on the night of August 29, 1776, into the forest of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. According to tradition, the dogged rear guard actions of the Delaware Militia, with flag flying, and the 1st Maryland Regiment, prevented the capture of the majority of Washington's army during the Colonial withdrawal.

This was the Rattlesnake Flag of Colonel John Proctor's 1st Battalion from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Westmoreland County was the farthest western part of Pennsylvania during the American Revolution. Formed in May of 1775, the First Battalion was comprised of volunteers and except for few months with Washington's army in 1777, the Battalion was used defending Western Pennsylvania against British-inspired Indian raids. Their arms were mostly privately owned, and their clothing was typical of civilians on the frontier. Apparently only the officers could afford or wore uniforms.

In September of 1747, as the first Continental Congress met at Philadelphia, large amounts of British troops arrived in America to put down colonial unrest, seize and secure the military stores, and erect fortifications. In this alarming crisis, this troop was formed by a group of Philadelphia "gentlemen." Many were businessmen and merchants who supplied their own uniforms, military equipment and horses.

In 1776, General Washington had four soldiers hand-picked from each regiment of the Continental Line to form the "Commander-in-Chief's Guards" or "Life Guards." The Guards were under the command of Major Caleb Gibbs. The Guards not only protected General Washington, but were at times involved in military operations. They served General Washington until the unit was disbanded shortly after Yorktown.

This is the flag of the First Pennsylvania Rifles. The regiment would see action during the New York Campaign, Battle of Trenton, Second Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Springfield. The letters "P.M." on the flag refers to "Pennsylvania Militia," and the "i.R." is "1st Rifles." The Latin legend "Dominari Nolo" means "I Will Not Be Dominated" and refers to the American's desire to be free from the King of England.

This regiment of volunteer freemen was the only documented black military unit of the Revolutionary War. Massachusetts Governor John Hancock presented these regimental colors to the unit after the war was over. The initials above the pine tree (JGWH) are those of his son, John George Washington Hancock, who died in the war. The original flag is on display in Boston at the Massachusetts Historical Society.

The 2nd Connecticut Regiment was formed in 1776 as part of the Continental Army. Eight companies were recruited from the counties of Fairfield, Windham, and Hartford and assigned to the 1st Connecticut Brigade. The regiment would see action in the New York Campaign, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth. The three grape vines on the "Arms of Connecticut" shield, represent the three original settlements of the colony; Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield. The motto is "Qui Transtulit Sustinet," and means "He who brought us here will take care of us."

The 2nd was one of two New Hampshire regiments that reported to Washington's camp in Cambridge at the beginning of the Revolutionary War in 1776. Henry Dearborn led the men from New Hampshire and troops under John Sullivan held the "rail fence" on one of the flanks at the Battle of Bunker Hill. In the spring of 1776, the Second saw action at Fort Ticonderoga, Mount Independence, Bennington, and wintered at Valley Forge. Men from New Hampshire would take part in nearly every battle fought in New England, including the turning point of the American Revolution at Saratoga.

2nd New Hampshire Buff Standard (possibly the 11th Massachusetts instead)		2nd New Hampshire Buff Arms Closeup

The 2nd New Hampshire's first leader was Colonel Enoch Poor, but by the time of the Battle of Hubbardstown (Hubbardton), where these two flags may have been captured by the British 9th Foot, it was commanded by Colonel Nathan Hale. The British dispatches of the day suggest that the flags were taken at Fort Anne (or at Hubbardstown, on the previous day), quite some distance from the battle, and probably the supply base of the Americans.

The 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, also known as "Sheldon's Horse," named after their commander Colonel Elisha Sheldon, was the first of four Dragoon regiments to be raised during the War and the only Dragoon regiment to serve throughout the War. Appointed Colonel Commandant by order of General Washington in December of 1776, Sheldon served as commander of the Second Dragoons until the end of the American Revolution. Under his command, the regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Saratoga, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Crooked Billet and the Battle of Yorktown.

This White Plains Flag, emblazoned with the Liberty cap and staff as well as the sword of Justice, was captured from a New York militia unit in the fall of 1776 by German mercenaries fighting for the English. Although the Germans belittled the American military skills, it is interesting to note that these very same Hessians were forced to surrender to General Washington at the Battles of Princeton and Trenton several months later.

The 3rd New York Regiment was formed in 1775 from volunteers from the counties of Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, and Suffolk under the command of Colonel James Clinton for service in Canada. The regiment would take part in the Invasion of Canada, and later under the command of Colonel Peter Gansevoort it took part in the defeat of General Burgoyne in upper New York State in 1777. The regiment was merged into the 1st New York Regiment in 1781. The flag has been saved and is found in the Albany Institute of History and Art. It is the only regimental flag of New York that has been preserved to the present.

Daniel Morgan was a first cousin of Daniel Boone. Under his leadership, Morgan's Rifle Corps played a key role in the Battle of Saratoga. In that battle, the riflemen were used to initiate fires on the American side, targeting key personnel such as officers and artillerymen.

In 1777 Colonel Daniel Morgan was assigned to raise and command a new regiment, the 11th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line. His recruiting test for riflemen became campfire legend. He printed a picture of the head of a British officer (some said King George himself) and only recruited those who could hit this target with their first shot at one hundred yards. When word of this reached England Morgan was regarded as a war criminal.

The Hanover Association of Volunteers was formed in June 1774, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They resolved "that in the event of Great Britain attempting to force unjust laws upon us by strength of arms, our cause we leave to Heaven and our rifles." The colors are described as "Red field and trim on cap; yellow fringe and scroll; black lettering and cap; green ground and uniform with cream legs, trim, feather and powder horn; brown belt and light blue rifle barrel." This flag no longer exists, but the design shown here is based on an engraving in the Pennsylvania State Archives.

Newburyport is a small coastal city in Massachusetts, 38 miles northeast of Boston. Right from the beginning of the Revolutionary War, Newburyport was involved. Matthew Thornton, a Newburyport resident, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Paul Revere cast the clock tower bell of the First Presbyterian Church of Newburyport and it was not surprising that the residents of this town would have a militia unit involved in the war. The main responsibility of the Independent Company of Newburyport seems to have been protecting the Massachusetts coastline from British intrusion. Their colors have been described as a "Green field and tree, blue canton, silver mailed hands and chain."

This flag of an unknown Revolutionary War Regiment is located in the Smithsonian Museum and described as "The Headman Flag," because it was preserved by the Pennsylvania family descended from a Sergeant Headman. The inscription on the scroll reads "THIS WE WILL DEFEND OR DIE," and the word "LIBERTY" is written on the cap. The flag portrays thirteen arms grasping a column topped with a liberty cap, symbolizing the thirteen colonies united in their fight for freedom.

The Newport Light Infantry Brigade was one of two brigades that formed the New Hampshire militia whose main role was to protect the coast from attack by the Royal Navy and to support the other New England states. The second brigade was organized in the west to guard the frontier against attack from Canada. John Langdon, who after the Revolutionary War would go on to represent New Hampshire at the Constitutional Convention, took command of one of the units in General William Whipple's eastern brigade. Langdon's Newport Light Infantry, often called the "Silk-Stockings" by his contemporaries because it was composed of wealthy citizens who all had held officer commissions in their own local militia units, was in fact a highly trained and effective combat organization.

The Flag of the Second South Carolina Regiment featured the motto ""VITA POTIOR LIBERTAS" which meant "Liberty rather than life." Colonel William Moultrie's South Carolina Militia of Ft. Sullivan fame (see Fort Moultrie Flag) first carried this regiment standard, and later the famous "Swamp Fox" Francis Marion carried it at the Battle of Savannah. Sergeant Jasper, who had saved the Crescent Flag at Sullivan's Island, fell carrying this at Savannah. The colors are described as "Blue field, yellow letters, green wreath, red ribbon, red and blue flags within."

The romantic story behind this regimental flag is that Jane Elliott, Colonel William Washington's Fiancé made it for him before he left on his campaign through Eutaw and the Cowpens. (Colonel Washington was George's brother.)

This guidon belonged to the First Company of the Continental Regiment of Foot, formed by Washington in 1777 under the command of Colonel Samuel Blatchley Webb of Connecticut. Webb had formerly served as one of Washington’s personal aides.

The 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Sheldon's Horse, was commissioned by the Continental Congress in December of 1776 under the command of Colonel Elisha Sheldon. From March 1777 until January 1781 the regiment consisted of six troops drawn mostly from Connecticut, but with men from Massachusetts , New Jersey, and New York. Although parts of the regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Saratoga, Battle of Germantown, and the Battle of Yorktown, the unit never served as a whole, rather the unit was assigned by Washington in various support and special assignments. For example, at the Battle of Saratoga a portion of the regiment not only fought as the sole Continental cavalry, but was assigned to escort Burgoyne to Boston after the British surrender. Elements of the unit comprised Washington's personal bodyguard, and Sheldon's Horse performed the first cavalry charge on American soil. The regiment also provided messengers for Washington between his headquarters and the rest of the colonial forces. At Yorktown, twenty Sheldon's Horse were detailed to accompany Washington and Rochambeau to the York peninsula, and Sheldon's troopers are depicted in the painting of Cornwallis' surrender by John Trumbull.

The 3rd Virginia Regiment was formed in 1775 in Alexandria, Virginia, and its notable commanders included Colonel Hugh Mercer, Colonel George Weedon, Colonel Thomas Marshall (the father of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall), Colonel William Heth, and finally Colonel Abraham Buford. James Monroe, Thomas Helm, and John Marshall served as lieutenants in this regiment.