British Legion (American Revolutionary War)

British Legion
Lieutenant-Colonel Banastre Tarleton in the uniform of the British Legion, 1782 painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds
Active	1777–1782
Country	Great Britain
Allegiance	British Army
Branch	British provincial unit later, regulars of the American establishment (1779), then British establishment (1782)
Type	Artillery Dragoon Light infantry
Role	Anti-guerrilla warfare Cavalry tactics Charge Counterinsurgency Indirect fire Patrolling Raid Reconnaissance Screening Shock tactics Skirmisher Tracking
Size	400 (Regiment)
Garrison/HQ	Fort Edward, Province of New York
Nickname(s)	Tarleton's Legion
Engagements	American Revolutionary War Carolinas Campaign (1780-1782) Battle of Monck's Corner (1780) Battle of Lenud's Ferry (1780) Battle of Waxhaws (1780) Battle of Camden (1780) Battle of Fishing Creek (1780) Battle of Wahab's Plantation (1780) Battle of Charlotte (1780) Battle of Fishdam Ford (1780) Battle of Blackstock's Farm (1780) Battle of Cowpens (1781) Battle of Cowan's Ford (1781) Battle of Guilford Court House (1781) Virginia-Yorktown Campaign (1781) Gloucester Point Skirmish, Siege of Yorktown (1781)
Commanders
Notable commanders	General Lord William Cathcart Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton

The British Legion was an elite British provincial regiment established during the American Revolutionary War, composed of Loyalist American troops, organized as infantry and cavalry, plus a detachment from the 16th Light Dragoons. The unit was commonly known as Tarleton's Legion, after the British officer who led it on campaign, Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton. It was a unit the size of a regiment, consisting of artillery, cavalry, and light infantry, and able to operate independently.