Thomas Lancaster Lansdale
Continental Army officer (1748–1803)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Major Thomas Lancaster Lansdale (November 10, 1748 – January 19, 1803)[2] was an American soldier who served as an officer in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
Thomas Lancaster Lansdale | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | November 10, 1748[1] |
| Died | January 19, 1803[1] |
| Buried | Bowie, Maryland, US |
Service years | 1776-1783[2] |
Rank | Major |
| Unit | 3rd Maryland Continental Infantry[3] |
Military service
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He served in the Continental Army from 1776 through 1783 as an officer[2] in the 3rd Maryland Continental Infantry.[3]
On January 25, 1783, Lansdale was berated in writing by George Washington for the shabby appearance of the troops under his command while encamped on the banks of the Hudson River.[4][5] Lansdale redeemed himself two weeks later with Washington who then wrote:
It gave me very sensible pleasure to observe at the
Review yesterday the very great alteration for the better in the appearance of the Maryland Detachment ... I anticipate the day when this Detachment will rival if not surpass in
excellence the oldest & best Troops in the American Service.[5]
At the conclusion of the war, Lansdale was admitted as an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati of Maryland.[6][7]
Business
Outside of military service, he was a merchant with the firm of Lansdale and Claggett in the port town of Queen Anne[1] and owned a sizeable tobacco plantation in Prince George's County.[5] He made his home at Hazelwood, overlooking Queen Anne.[8]
Family
Legacy
His grave in Collington, Maryland (now Bowie) is marked by a municipal park and a boulevard named in his honor.[2]