New York, like all the 13 colonies, had a militia system that required men between the ages of 16 and 60 to serve in the militia in times of need. New Yorkers were required by law to have own a musket, cartridge box, knapsack and a sword or tomahawk. Despite this law the militia in lower New York was not a very efficient system. The militia often drilled no more than four hours once a month and the equipment brought from home was often of poor quality -or nonexistent. There was little attempt to demand militia attendance and few did. When the Revolution began in 1775, the militia of Westchester County, New York was reorganized into three regiments. The 1st Westchester Regiment -also known as the South Battalion- drew men from Yonkers, Pelham, New Rochelle and the vast estate known as Philipsburg Manor. Despite the reorganization and the zeal of some in the state and the county most men in lower Westchester did not participate. 

    The 1st Westchester Regiment or South Battalion was placed under the control of Colonel Joseph Drake and was composed of 8 companies: one from Yonkers, one from Eastchester, one from Pelham and New Rochelle and five from Philipsburg Manor. The other Regiments of the Westchester militia were similar in composition. The 2nd Regiment or Middle Battalion under Colonel Thomas Thomas had  companies from Harrison, North Castle, Bedford, Pound Ridge, Salem and one company for Scarsdale and White Plains and one for Rye and Mamaroneck. The 3rd Regiment or North Battalion under Colonel Pierre Van Cortland boasted eight companies all from Cortland Manor.