The regiment embarked for Boston, landing there on New Year's Day 1776, for service during the American War of Independence. It saw action at the Battle of Long Island in August 1776, the Battle of White Plains in October 1776 and the Battle of Fort Washington in November 1776. The regiment also took part in the Battle of Princeton in January 1777; its performance in the battle was commemorated in the addition of an unbroken laurel wreath to its insignia; it went on to fight at the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777 and at the Battle of Germantown in October 1777. Several companies were captured at the Battle of Stony Point in July 1779 by a daring night-time bayonet charge by "Mad" Anthony Wayne. The regiment was in action again at the Battle of Guilford Court House in March 1781 and at the siege of Yorktown in September 1781.