Samuel Birch

Major General Samuel Birch (21 February 1735 – 1811) was an officer in the British army during the American Revolution that served as the commandant of New York City. He helped free and shelter thousands of slaves as recorded in the Book of Negroes. He was the commander of the 17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, the only British cavalry regiment in America. He participated in most of the significant engagements in the north. He is known for leading the failed attempt to kidnap George Washington. Career Birch initially served in the 11th Dragoons during the Seven Years' War. Under the command of John Hale, Birch served as Captain in the newly formed 17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons in 1759. The regiment was stationed in Scotland for three years. In 1771, as Major Birch, he fell under the command of George Preston. On 24 April 1773 he became commissioned as a Lieut. Colonel. After the war, the regiment was stationed in Ireland for 11 years. The regiment was sent to North America in 1775, arriving in Boston, then besieged by American rebels in the American Revolutionary War. Birch fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill, a costly British victory, in June 1775. On 27 October 1775, Birch and his regiment famously rode their horses to disrupt the gatherings of patriots in Boston’s Old South Meeting House. The regiment was part of the evacuation of Boston in 1776 and was withdrawn to Halifax for two months.