The Regiment was authorized on December 9, 1775 in the Continental Army as the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion. Organized between January 2- late March 1776 at Philadelphia to consist of 8 companies from Philadelphia City and Berks, Bucks Chester and Philadelphia Counties. It was assigned on June 29, 1776 to Mifflin's Brigade (redesignated on October 8, 1776 as Stirling's Brigade), an element of the Main Continental Army. Captured in part on November 16, 1776 by the British Army at Fort Washington, New York. Remainder of Regiment reorganized and re-designated 1 January 1, 1777 as the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment, an element of the Main Continental Army, to consist of 8 companies. It was assigned on May 22, 1777 to the 3rd Pennsylvania Brigade, an element of the Main Continental Army. Reorganized on July 1, 1778 to consist of 9 companies. Furloughed on January 17, 1781 at Trenton, New Jersey. Disbanded on January 1, 1783.