The Long Island Companies of the Third New York were immediately called into active duty involving the fortification of the Hudson Highlands through the contraction of Fort Constitution. They were also called to the defense of the citizenry, livestock, and provisions on the eastern end of Long Island from British raiding parties. These raiders sought supplies for their besieged troops in Boston and the ensuing skirmishes may have been the first instance of Continental Forces in combat during the Revolution.

 
Eventually the Long Island Companies were ordered to New York City to be equipped and united with the full regiment for the invasion of Canada. While the Third New York participated in the assault on Quebec, the Long Island Companies were detached for garrison duty at Fort George (Lake George), as well as picket duty at Fort Ticonderoga.

 
In December 1775, nearing the completion of the troops' six-month enlistment, the Long Island Companies were honored with the duty of escorting and parading before congress, the British troops captured in the Canadian Invasion.      

 

Although their enlistment was short, concluding in January 1776, Long Islanders' contributions to the war effort were significant, considering that most were exiled from their homes and loved ones following the Battle of Long Island in July 1776.

 

Whether he was a Redcoat, a Continental, a Hessian, Loyalist, Frenchman or Spaniard, the private soldier (commonly referred to  as "A Man at Arms"), was the "backbone" of any 18th C. army.

 

This is especially true at the time of the American War for Independence, for in a time when battles were fought in open fields and valleys with plenty of room to maneuver horses, troops and artillery, the geography and layout of the North American continent proved a challenge to both British and Continental commanders alike. Lack of room and supply to feed trained horses and move heavy artillery made the  18th C. private a key component to forces on both sides.

During the American Revolution, the Continental soldier endured more hardships then any other of his adversaries on the battlefield. Without a treasury or standardized form of currency, the Continental Congress decided that the individual colonies pay for uniforms,  supplies and equipages for their own troops.

 
These problems of supplier within Washington's army can be seen in the dress of the 3rd NY regt.  The Colony of New York was able to raise 3 regiments of troops in 1775. The 1st and 2nd NY were both clad in blue coats faced red or scarlet. After equipping the first two regiments, the New York Congress could not afford enough blue and red wool for the 3rd NY Regiment, thus the 3rd was given coats of grey faced green as an alternative.

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