Minute Company - The "Greens"

Information of the formation of Minute Companies for the 2nd Albany are fairly sketchy. We do, however, have the following information.

Here are some information from "Rules and Orders for Regulating the Militia of the Colony of New York: Recommended by the Provincial Congress, August 22, 1775":

XIV. That the commissioned officers of each company of minute-men, form their own companies into four sub-divisions, in such manner as they shall think most convenient for their frequent meetings; the sub-divisions under their respective officers to meet once in every week, and to employ half a day, or at least four hours each time, in perfecting themselves in military discipline, the whole companies to meet once every fortnight, to spend the same time for the same purpose. That the several companies of minute-men be formed into regiments, to consist of about seven companies each, that there be commissioned by this Congress to each regiment, one Colonel, one Lieutenant Colonel, and two Majors, and Adjutant and Quarter-Master.

XV. That those regiments be formed into brigades, each brigade to consist of about ______________ regiments ____________________________ That there be commissioned by the Congress, to each brigade, one Brigadier General, and a Major of brigade.

XVI. That the whole body of minute-men shall be under the direction of the Major General, appointed by this Congress, while within the colony, unless a Continental Officer of superior, or equal rank be present.

XVII. That the minute-men when called out in defense of their country, shall be subject to the articles of war established by the Continental Congress; and be intitled (sp), to the same allowance as to pay and provisions, with the Continental forces; and to be under the direction of the commander in chief of those forces.

The following was found in "A History of Schenectady During the Revolution" by Hanson.

"On September 2, 1775, agreeable to a request from the Committee of Safety, a meeting of all the militia of the town of Schenectady was held at the Dutch Church for the purpose of forming companies in accordance with the plans of the Continental and Provincial Congresses."

"At this meeting the three companies already formed were reorganized and two additional companies raised. Jellis J. Fonda and John Van Patten were retained as captains; John Mynderse, who had originally been selected as a lieutenant in Captain Van Dyke's company, was promoted to the rank of captain; and to the command of the new companies were elected Abraham Wemple and Thomas Wasson."

"The companies of Captains Fonda and Mynderse retain their classification as minute men and as such served until the spring of 1777, when they were incorporated with the regular militia. The motto of these companies as noted on their flags was "Liberty or Death", and because of the color of the uniform worn by their members Captain Mynderse's company was known as "The Blues" and Captain Fonda's company as "The Green's"."

More along the same lines, the following is from the pension papers of Cornelius Gansvoord, 1832 - in part of his declaration in support of Jellis Fonda's pension application - (spelling and grammer are as written in the petition)

"Sometime early in the summer of the year 1775, two companies of minute men were raised in the township now City of Schenectady, for the defense of the rights and liberties of America, a sort of intermediate between regular troops and militia, whose motto as painted on their colours was "Liberty or Death". One of these companies was called "blues" from the color of their uniform was placed under the command of John Myerderse of said township: of the other company of minute men called "greens" (from the color of their uniform) the aforesaid Jellis was appointed to Captain, and served as such during the war... "

Some members of the 2nd Albany, who wish to portray the members of a Minute Company, have chosen to portray members of the "Greens". The recreated Green's minute company is the campaign part of the 2nd Albany. It is mostly made up of the younger members of the unit that camp, cook and operate in a progressive manner. The goal of the campaign company is to show people what militia on campaign or militia that has been sent on patrol in the Schoharie and Mohawk Valleys would have looked like. The members work as a mess group and have no tents. This is not to say we will not take up shelter when we can find it whether it be a house, barn or in an arbor built with branches.

The Green's Minute Company adheres to the following rules:

• We eat and work as 1 mess.

• All are expected to help in cooking and work duties.

• We eat, sleep and pull guard duty as a mess.

• As Minutemen, we travel and live out of our packs and bed roles

• If you can't walk from your car to camp in one run you don't need it!

• Max two blankets

• Packs and rolls should be appropriate to civilian impression (see gear guide at end)

• You will also be carrying your food and water so keep that in mind.

• Clothing should be proper for the RevWar civilian in Albany, New York

• Clothing should be fit to 18th century standards

• Hats should be appropriate to our area and time period (although round hats and knit caps work better in the woods)

• Shoes to be either half boots or buckle shoes. Buckle shoes being the preference.

• Almost all of your kit needs to be hand finished or completely hand sewn.

• Help will be given to anyone and everyone to get this ready for next season. You also have one season to get your gear to this point.

• You must have a period and area proper flint lock. Gun safety is extremely important to this group! Weapons Safety Inspections will be performed prior and after each engagement. If you have a weapons issue you are to report it immediately. A loaner firelock for the weekend will be provided for you.

For the men of the Green's Minute Company I would like to see you stick to the following clothing guidelines. Remember that all of the men coming in brought their own clothing, packs, bedding and flint locks. Most of them were also tradesmen, farmers, Shop keeps and things of that sort so keep this in mind when getting your kit together:

• Civilian Frock coats (of wool or Linen these can be any number of period correct colors)

• Civilian Jackets (of wool or linen. These are also different then sleeved waistcoats)

• Farmer or work frocks (these are oversized shirts made of a heavier linen or linsey-woolsey colors include Natural, brown, oznaburgh, checks and stripes of the period)

• Waistcoats (can be with and without sleeves and made of wool or linen. The following colors are the most common Linen: white, unbleached, or oznaburgh. Wool: blue, brown, madder red and white)

• Double breasted waistcoats and Jackets (can be made of wool or linen. The following colors are the most common Linen: white, unbleached, or oznaburgh. Wool: blue, brown, madder red and white)

• Shirts (white, unbleached, oznaburgh, check or striped linen)

• Breeches (oznaburgh, or unbleached, linen as well as hemp or leather)

• Trousers (oznaburgh, or unbleached linen or Hemp. There are also many pairs of checked or stripped trousers in the period)

• Stockings (can be wool or cotton and should be solid blue, gray, brown or other appropriate colors.)

• Neck clothes (silk or linen of solid or block printed fabric)

• Civilian Gaiters either just below the calf or halfway up. These are to be made of wool,heavy linen or leather. Tradesmen, Laborers and Farmers wore these to protect their shoes from the weather.

• Shoes or Half boots (black or brown rough side out and straight-lasted. Which means no specific left or right. Also note that Half boots are common in the period but not as common a buckle shoes) Equipment Militia Man: Below is a list of gear you will need to go along with your impression. This list includes personal items, which the common man might have with him. Packs and Bedding:

• Wool Blankets (these would be brought from home and would be a mix of solid colors strips and checks)

• Pack (this should hold a bushel the most common type would be an oversized haversack with 3 buttons to close it and two straps. It also may or may not be painted to waterproof it.)

• Market wallet (used by both men and woman while traveling or shopping in town. Are also know to be used by men in the militia to carry there stuff)

• Tumpline (most common tumpline are an oversized leather belt about 2 to 3 inches wide or a 2 inch wide hemp strap.

Arms and Accouterments: These would be what the men brought with them into service.

• Firelock (Please reference the New York Militia Law Requirements). Bear in mind not everyone had the money or materials on hand to comply with the Militia Law. You had what you had. Remember though, less is more. A light fowler will be a lot easier for you to carry and help you travel faster. Not all makes are ok. Fowler’s , Trade Guns from New England , New York and Eastern Pennsylvania would be correct. Old military firelocks without bayonets would also be appropriate but heavier than the afore mentioned. Last, Rifles we’re both rare in New York and very expensive. If you choose to have one, your impression must fit being able to afford and maintain said Rifle. If you have one it must be period specific or just prior to the war and be of Eastern Pennsylvania styles.

• Cartridge box of New York or New England Militia Laws

• Hunting bag made of leather preferred D-Shape body. There are many bag styles per the period. Please check with us before purchasing one.

• Powder horn (there are a huge variety of these so please consult with a member before buying one)

• Side-arms (tomahawks, Hunting swords )

Mess Items: Please note that with the items listed below are the most commonly known eating equipment for soldiers and are recommended because we eat as a unit. But, we also know that more times then not the men did not have these items to eat with and eat a lot of there food right out of the mess kettles with there hands or what utensils they had.

• Bowl of wood, tin or brass

• Spoon of horn or pewter

• Tin, Earthen wear or horn cup

• Blade or knife (this could be either a folding knife or a belt knife)

• Canteen is preferred to be either of Cheesebox or Staved style wood. American tin style is appropriate too.

• "S" hook (this is optional but, I recommend having a small one in your kit they can be used for many things) Personal Items: The gun cleaning kit is something you will need right away and the rest are optional.

• Soap

• Period shaving kit

• Tooth brush and tooth powder • Comb

• Journal kit

• Fire kit (this will be a steel striker, flint, char cloth and tinder / tow. You will need this if you have a tobacco kit)

• Tobacco kit (this will have your clay pipe and tobacco in it)

• Gun Cleaning kit (below are the list of things that should be in the kit)

• Oil (the most common oil used in the time is sweet oil also known as olive oil)

• Brick dust or fire ash to clean and brighten the metal on your firelock (fire ash is more common and on hand at every encampment)

• Flints (you should have at least 12 in your stuff per military orders)

• Tow or cloth patches for cleaning the barrel

• Soft leather or linen clothes to use with the brick dust or fire ash.

• Oiled cloth for wiping and lubricating your firelock

Special tools: (You will need these) :

• Turn-key (screw driver)

• Tow worm or cleaning jag that fits your ramrod

• Spring vise for removing lock springs

• Optional Items: (You won't need these right away but as time goes by you will want them)

• Leather or oiled linen cloth Lock cover (used to protect your lock from the rain or fowl weather

• Oiled linen cloth or wooden tompion for plugging the muzzle of the gun against rain or fowl weather