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sell was pursuing his studios in Boston at
the time of the occupation of that cit> by
the British, in 1775. After the battle of
Bunker Hill, he and his sister Elizabeth
went to Providence and took up their
residence with their brother, Jonathan
Russell, a merchant of prominence there,
who at that time was captain of the well
known Providence Cadet Company, which
was called into active service and of
which Thomas Russell was made ensign.
In October, 1777. although but eighteen
years of age, he was commissioned
by General Washington as ensign in
Col. Sherburne's regiment of Continental
troops, then being formed. The regiment
was then ordered to garrison the High-
lands of the Hudson, and passed several
months at Fishkill and various places
along the river. In March following the
regiment proceeded to West Point, where
it erected what was afterwards known as
"Sherburne's Redoubt," after which it
went into garrison at Fort Arnold (now
Fort Clinton, Xo. 2). On June 24, 1778,
Col. Sherburne's regiment set out for
White Plains, whence it proceeded with
Gen. Varnum's brigade to Rhode Island,
and went into camp near Providence. In
August, 1778, Gen. Sullivan assembled his
forces at Portsmouth, R. I., for the campaign
against the British troops in Newport.
In the memorable battle which
followed on August 29, Gen. Varnum's
brigade, to which Russell (who had been
promoted) was attached, was on the right
and bore a prominent part in what Gen.
Lafayette characterizes as "the best
fought action of the war." Gen. Wash-
ington, in a communication to Gen. Sul-
livan, officially expressed his thanks for
the "gallant behavior" of the American
forces, and Congress, on September 19,
presented thanks to the officers and troops
for the "fortitude and bravery displayed."
On August 31, Col. Sherburne's regiment
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took post at Bristol, Rhode Island, where
it remained until July, 1779. It then pro-
ceeded to Providence, where it was in-
spected by Major-Gen. Baron Steuben.
Gen. Varnum having resigned his commission,
Brig.-Gen. Stark assumed command
of the brigade, which in November
joined the main army, then with Gen.
Washington in New Jersey. Russell's
soldierly qualities having attracted the
attention of his commander, the following
brigade order appeared on November 20,
1779: "Adj't Thos. Russell, of Col. Sherburne's
Regt., is appointed A. D. Camp to
B. Genl. Stark. He is to be respected accordingly."
After which he was known
as Major Russell. He remained with the
main army at Morristown until June,
1780, and was with Gen. Stark's brigade
in the affair at "Connecticut Farms," and
on duty at various posts until October
6, when the brigade marched to West
Point. In October, 1780, Congress resolved
on a reduction of the army. Under
this resolve nine Continental regiments
were consolidated into five, the junior
officers in each regiment becoming supernumerary,
retired on half pay. Under
this arrangement Russell was retired on
January 1, 1781 , after a faithful and hon-
orable service.
Repairing to Newport, he married, November
29, 1783, a daughter of Charles
Handy, of that town, and with his wife
removed to Philadelphia, where he embarked
in mercantile business, in which
he continued until 1785; returning again
to Newport, he entered into foreign commerce,
which led him abroad in voyages
to London, Canton, and other distant
parts. He became a member of the Ar-
tillery Company at Newport, and one of
its commissioned officers; subsequently
he was in command there of a volunteer
company of cavalry. Major Russell died
in the city of New York. February 19.