It was organized as eight battalion companies and one light infantry company. Made up from men from northern and western Maryland, it was assigned to the Main Continental Army under George Washington on July 6, 1776. The battalion was assigned to the brigade of William Alexander, Lord Sterling, along with the Delaware Battalion of Col. John Haslet. It was assigned on August 12, 1776 to Stirling's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. It was adopted on August 17, 1776 into the Continental Army. Relieved on August 31, 1776 from Stirling's Brigade and assigned to McDougall's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Maryland Independent Companies attached on September 19, 1776. The Maryland Battalion was relieved on November 10, 1776 from McDougall's Brigade. It was assigned on December 10, 1776 - January 1777 to Mercer's Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Later the unit was reorganized and redesignated as the 1st Maryland Regiment, to consist of 8 companies. The regiment was reassigned on January 1, 1781 from the 1st Maryland Brigade and assigned to the Maryland Brigade, an element of the Southern Department. It was furloughed on July 27, 1783 at Baltimore and disbanded on November 15, 1783.