Vose, Joseph. 1738-1816.
Joseph Vose began his military career as a major in Heath's Massachusetts Regiment. On January 1, 1777, he became colonel of the 1st Massachusetts Regiment. Vose participated in the Monmouth Campaign, as part of George Washington's army. The regiment then moved north and participated in operations around Newport, Rhode Island.
In February 1781, "the eight eldest companies" of Massachusetts troops were formed into a battalion and placed under the command of Vose. This battalion was placed in Lafayette's Division and participated in the military operations in Virginia in 1781. In a reorganization of the American army in June 1783, Vose was given command of one of the Massachusetts regiments whose enlistments had not expired. He led this regiment into New York City on Evacuation Day, November 25, 1783.