page_title: Thomas Knowlton
section_title: Knowlton's Rangers
hierarchical_section_title: Thomas Knowlton / Knowlton's Rangers
caption_attribution_description: English: Statute of Thomas Knowlton, sculpted by Enoch Smith Woods, located on the grounds of the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, CT. Dedicated November 13, 1895. Photo taken 1-19-2016.
context_page_description: Thomas W. Knowlton was an American patriot who served in the French and Indian War and was a colonel during the American Revolution. Knowlton is considered America's first Intelligence professional, and his unit, Knowlton's Rangers, gathered intelligence during the early Revolutionary War. Knowlton was killed in action at the Battle of Harlem Heights.
context_section_description: On August 12, 1776, General of the Army George Washington promoted Knowlton to lieutenant colonel. He was ordered to select a group of men from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts to carry out reconnaissance missions.  America's first official spies, "Knowlton's Rangers" were also the first organized American elite troops.  The American spy, Captain Nathan Hale, was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton.  The date "1776" on the modern U.S. Army's intelligence service seal refers to the formation of Knowlton's Rangers.
  On September 16, 1776, a company of rangers led by Knowlton was scouting in advance of Washington's army at the Battle of Harlem Heights.  While reconnoitering the British outposts they were engaged by elements of the light infantry brigade commanded by  Major General Alexander Leslie.  They managed a successful retreat and later mounted a counter-attack with the support of riflemen led by Major Andrew Leitch of Virginia.  General Washington ordered the units to fall on the enemy's rear, while a feint in front engaged the British troops’ attention. Knowlton's force turned prematurely and made contact with the right flank of the British instead, losing the element of surprise. In the face of heavy fire from the British, Knowlton rallied his troops to carry on the attack.  Both American commanding officers fell mortally wounded in front of their men.  Knowlton's loss was lamented by Washington in his general orders for September 17, 1776 with the statement "The gallant and brave Col Knowlton, ... would have been an Honor to any Country, having fallen yesterday, while gloriously fighting ...for his country ".
caption: Thomas Knowlton statue (Enoch Smith Woods, sculptor) at Connecticut State Capitol
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