The Regiment was authorized on October 15, 1776 in the Continental Army as Whitcomb's Rangers, an element of the Northern Department. Congress adopted the following resolution: "In Congress Assembled - Resolved, That two independent Companies consisting of fifty Men each, be immediately raised to be commanded by Lieutenant Whitcomb, who should be appointed Captain Commandant - that he nominate the Officers of the said two Companies who are to be appointed, when approved by the commanding Officer of the Northern Department." Organized in November 1776 at Fort Ticonderoga, New York, to consist of 2 companies from northwestern New Hampshire. Disbanded 1 January 1781 at Coos, New Hampshire as part of an army-wide reorganization, orders came from Congress for Whitcomb to send his non-commissioned officers and privates to join the Continental Army and for the officers to retire.