Revolutionary Service of Johann Abel

Colonel William Smallwood, commander of the Maryland 400 Batallion (which consisted of four companies from Frederick, Maryland) and the 1st Maryland Regiment. He was later promoted to General in 1777.   Picture courtesy of the Library of Congress Photo Archives

Written by Jinx Hartung

In 1776, Johann Abel/John Abel served as a private in Capt. Henry Fister's Company in the German Battalion. Also serving was Henry Cronies/Henry Croneiss, who witnessed the marriage of Johann Abel and Magdalena Ditlo.

Johann Abel/John Abel served from 8 June 1778-August 1778 as a private in the 5th Maryland Regiment under Lt. Hamilton.

From July-October 1779, John Abel is listed on the pay roll of Capt. Michael Bayer's Company in the German Regiment.

In 1776, the Maryland Battalion was sent to Long Island, New York and placed under the command of Col. William Smallwood. The losses sustained by these troops in the Battle of Long Island were unusually heavy (the killed and wounded numbered 256).

At the Battle of White Plains, the Maryland forces were in the thickest of the fighting, with losses of over 100 men.

But by this time, the Maryland troops were seasoned veterans, having fought three battles in three months. They were the first American force to use the bayonet against the British regulars, so there was a lot of hand-to-hand combat.

Whatever the account of battle, the Maryland troops always fought with fierceness and valor - at Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Germantown.

top of page

Use your browser's BACK button to return to previous page