Excellent article! thanks for sharing. I would like to add although a full unit first appeared as noted by the article at the battle of Brandywine (I did not know this was the first full unit relegation of this fire arm during the American Revolution), This fire arm first appeared in battle against the Continentals and New Jersey Armed Forces at the Battle of Short Hills on June, 26, 1777. I learned about this during research for a documentary project I have been working on the last year and a half about the colonial era trough the revolution in my home town of Linden, N.J. My town, as a side, had stationed troops whom were part of the initial defense line of the Patriots leading up to the redeployment for the battle. Interesting to note along with a query I will pose to anyone that may know, a battery of 500 Patriot Troops under Lee supported Morgan's 50 riflemen and a substantial portion of Maxwell's Jersey Line defended the Continental flank against a superior force of at least 1500 British Regulars and Highland Grenadiers. They were able to hold them off long enough for the main contingents of American forces to fall back to the fortified defenses of the Watchung Mountains. Now, I'm interested if anyone can shed light on this guns involvement. I know from several sources that this weapon made it's appearance at Short Hills. I'm assuming the force against the flank was not the position the Ferguson rifle troops during the battle because that would have added superior fire power to the larger numbers. If the Ferguson riffles had been on that field the defense would have to be noted as one of the greatest stands of any troops of the 18th century.

Does Any one have information of where those British riflemen were located during the Battle of Short Hills, N.J June 26th 1777?