The Pennsylvania Line Mutiny of 1781
Pennsylvania Line Mutiny of 1781 was a fascinating rebellion from within the Continental Army.
Soldiers who were unpaid and underfed believed that their enlistments had expired and they could go home.
The Officers in charge believed they were compelled to continue fighting.
The Enlistments
On January 1, 1781, the enlistments of approximately 1500 soldiers on the Pennsylvania Line expired.
At least, that’s what they thought.
The contracts they signed said they would serve “for three years or the duration of the war.”
The men thought their terms would be ended by whichever came first.
The officers believed it was whatever came second.
The Pennsylvania Line
These soldiers had only been paid a $20 enlistment bonus when they signed up three years earlier.
Since then, they had received no compensation...while their careers back home had been put on hold to fight for freedom.
Additionally, they were living in squalor, underfed and barely clothed.
Adding insult to injury, soldiers from other States had received significantly higher enlistment bonuses.
These Pennsylvania men decided it was time to act.
They mutinied.
The Response
Generally, this was the type of action George Washington would discipline harshly, with the leaders being hanged.
However, the soldiers had public opinion on their side.
Furthermore, they were right.
Also, the responsibility of paying these soldiers fell on the State of Pennsylvania.
Therefore, Joseph Reed, acting President (Governor) of the State rode out to meet with the mutineers.
The British
During this event, the British sent in two envoys in an attempt to recruit the rebelling soldiers to fight as Redcoats (the Pennsylvania Line was a very respected force).
This was a bad idea.
The mutineers were Patriots and the British men were taken as prisoners. They were eventually hung.
The Resolution
To resolve the issue, the Pennsylvania men demanded to be discharged and given the opportunity to reenlist with a larger bonus.
Many of the more recent recruits had joined the Line with significantly higher bonuses than these ‘three year men’ and the mutineers believed it would only be fair for them to have the same opportunity...seeing how they joined the Patriot Cause at an earlier date.
Since the rebels weren’t asking for the actual pay they were owed, this seemed to be a good deal.
Reed came to an agreement with these men and they were back in action with the Continental Army in a matter of weeks.
Want to read about other EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION?
Check out these articles:
There were several mutinies during the Revolutionary War.
‘Rebellion in the Ranks’ takes a look at all of the mutinies…and their repercussions.
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