#provincials

12 September 1783. The American Revolution is over. It is time for the Provincial Forces, now known as the British American Corps to be disbanded and fade into history. These were the regiments sailing from New York City, joining those previously sent and those already serving in Nova Scotia. Those from the South (Saint Augustine) and Jamaica would join them shortly thereafter. Those in the Northern Army would not be disbanded until December 1783, or June 1784. The detachment of Butler's Rangers at Detroit would not be disbanded until July of that year. The logistics and paperwork were immense. The promised land grants would take years to fulfill, a wilderness first having to be surveyed. For the time being each man would receive his discharge, the corps in Nova Scotia all being disbanded on 10 October 1783 as shown below, along with provisions, new uniforms, tools of husbandry, etc: whatever the British thought they'd need to carve out new lives in the wild...

"New York 12th September 1783.

Sir, The British, and British American Corps mentioned in the Margin*, being now embarked under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hewlett, of the second Battalion DeLancey’s are to proceed without delay to the River St. John’s in Nova Scotia, where they are to be disbanded. You will embark and proceed with those corps, and on your arrival there, will use your best endeavours to forward them to the places allotted for their settlements, where you will disband them without delay; but in case they cannot arrive at their destination by the 20th October, you will proceed to disband them on or before that day wherever they may be, and conformable to the King’s Instructions, published in orders the 17th August last. I enclose a copy of my letter to Lieutenant Colonel Hewlett, by which you will observe that he is directed to give you every assistance for this purpose, and in case of separation, to proceed in forwarding the Corps to their destination, and disbanding them as they may arrive. You will hasten as much as possible the debarkation of the troops on their arrival at the River St. John’s, as the transports must not be delayed in their return to this place. When you have completed the disbanding of the corps beforementioned you will return to Head Quarters, and make a report of your proceedings to me. I am, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant Guy Carleton

Captain Prevost Deputy Inspector General British American Forces

*Queens Rangers Kings American Regiment Detachment Garrison Battalion New York Volunteers 1st DeLancey’s 2nd DeLancey’s 1st Battalion New Jersey Volunteers 2nd  3rd  Prince of Wales’s American Regt. Pennsylvania Loyalists Maryland  American Legion Guides and Pioneers Detachment King’s Amn. Dragoons North Carolina Volunteers"