In October of 1775, the Second Continental Congress authorized the acquisition, and manning of two vessels for the Continental Navy. Then on November 10th 1775, The Continental Marine Act of 1775 decreed;
That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant-Colonels, two Majors and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of privates as with other battalions, that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to offices, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve for and during the present war with Great Britain and the Colonies; unless dismissed by Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalions of Marines.
While it was intended that these battalions were to be drawn from the Continental Army, and used for a planned invasion of Nova Scotia, only the First Battalion was formed by December when British and Hessian reinforcements in Nova Scotia made the amphibious invasion impossible.
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