The 3rd Continental Artillery Regiment also known as Crane's Continental Artillery Regiment became part of the Continental Army on January 1, 1777, as Colonel John Crane's Continental Artillery Regiment. The regiment was made up of 12 artillery companies from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including some companies that had served in Henry Knox's Continental Artillery Regiment. The regiment served with George Washington's main army. Three artillery companies in Ebenezer Stevens' Provisional Artillery Battalion had a separate existence in the Northern Department until the end of 1778 when they rejoined the regiment.
On 10 August 1779 the unit was redesignated the 3rd Continental Artillery Regiment. The regiment was reorganized with 10 companies on 1 January 1781 after the transfer of several companies to another artillery regiment. The unit was reassigned to the Highlands Department in August 1782. The regiment was rebuilt on a four company establishment in June 1783. The 3rd Artillery was disbanded on 1 January 1784 at West Point, New York.
Washington's artillery chief, Henry Knox wanted to have four 3-pound or 6-pound cannons attached to each infantry brigade. Knox preferred the handier French 4-pound cannon, he had to give up his plan to adopt it because too much ammunition and equipment for the 3- and 6-pound guns were still available. Knox created an artillery park of two 24-pound cannons, four 12-pound cannons, four 8-inch howitzers, eight 5.5-inch howitzers, and 10 smaller field guns. Rotating between the infantry brigades, the artillery park, and garrisons, the artillery companies with the main army received training in these various areas. Knox's tactical doctrine required his gunners to direct their fire on infantry targets and avoid artillery duels. This tactic proved highly effective at the Battle of Monmouth.[2]
