Dover in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Dover Light Infantry
Kent County, Delaware Militia
— 1776-1777 —
Photographed By Nate Davidson, July 13, 2008
1. Dover Light Infantry Marker
Inscription.
Dover Light Infantry. Kent County, Delaware Militia. The Light Infantry Company of Dover, a part of the 1st Battalion of Kent County, mustered in on 2 April 1776. Each militia volunteer was uniformly armed, equipped, and wore a standard military coat of green faced with red lapels, cuffs, and collar. From 14 December 1776 to 14 January 1777, Captain Thomas Rodney, youngest brother to Declaration of Independence signer Caesar Rodney, and his light infantry company responded to General George Washington's Call to Arms for militia during the darkest days of the American Revolution. Members of the company who volunteered for this perilous mission marched from Dover, crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey, and as part of Brigadier General John Cadwalader's Pennsylvania Brigade, played key military roles in Washington's decisive victories against British and Hessian forces at the Second Battle of Trenton, and the Battle of Princeton. For distinguished service, Washington appointed the Light Infantry Company of Dover "to be his own guard." This memorial is dedicated in remembrance of these patriots who served "in the Defense and Protection of American Liberty."
The Light Infantry Company of Dover, a part of the 1st Battalion of Kent County, mustered in on 2 April
1776. Each militia volunteer was uniformly armed,
equipped, and wore a standard military coat of green
faced with red lapels, cuffs, and collar. From 14
December 1776 to 14 January 1777, Captain Thomas
Rodney, youngest brother to Declaration of
Independence signer Caesar Rodney, and his light
infantry company responded to General George
Washington's Call to Arms for militia during the
darkest days of the American Revolution. Members of
the company who volunteered for this perilous
mission marched from Dover, crossed the Delaware
River into New Jersey, and as part of Brigadier
General John Cadwalader's Pennsylvania Brigade,
played key military roles in Washington's decisive
victories against British and Hessian forces at the
Second Battle of Trenton, and the Battle of Princeton.
For distinguished service, Washington appointed the
Light Infantry Company of Dover "to be his own
guard." This memorial is dedicated in remembrance
of these patriots who served "in the Defense and
Protection of American Liberty."
Erected 2008 by Delaware Public Archives.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era
Location. 39° 9.463′ N, 75° 31.15′ W. Marker is in Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. Marker is on Liberty Street close to Duke of York Street. Located behind Legislative Hall, near Duke of York Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dover DE 19901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
4. Dover Light Infantry Marker at Legislative Hall - Delaware's Capitol Building Northeast lawn
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,470 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 9, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on October 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
