The Loyal American Regiment was raised in mid-March 1777 by wealthy loyalist Beverley Robinson. Robinson, a childhood friend of George Washington, commanded the regiment until it was disbanded at the end of the war in 1783. The Loyal Americans spent many months of the war in the Province of New York at Morrisania and Kingsbridge defending British-occupied New York City. The Loyal Americans continued to serve as a detached Company of Foot, and assisted in the training of Loyalist militia regiments. They suffered heavy casualties soon after, during the Battle of King's Mountain. The survivors either returned to the regiment over time or sat out the war in prison. When the war was over, Loyalists were unwelcome in the former colonies. From New York City, Britain transported thousands of Loyalists to Nova Scotia throughout the early fall of 1783. In all about 33,000 were settled in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick.