View source for Extra Continental regiments and Additional Continental regiments

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) featured two distinct types of Continental Army infantry regiments: Extra Continental and Additional Continental. The six Extra Continental regiments were authorized by Congress in late 1775 to mid-1776 and formed without any state administrative ties. They included the Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment, Warner's Regiment (Green Mountain Boys), 1st Canadian Regiment, 2nd Canadian Regiment, German Battalion, and DuBois' Regiment (later the 3rd New York Regiment).

The 16 Additional Continental regiments were approved by Congress on December 27, 1776, in response to General George Washington's request for more troops. These regiments were organized directly under Washington's authority rather than state control and formed in the spring and summer of 1777. Unlike the Extra regiments, they were part of a larger reorganization effort aimed at recruiting soldiers for the duration of the war, moving away from one-year enlistments.

The reorganization followed Congress's September 16, 1776, authorization of 88 regiments allocated to states based on population estimates. However, Washington sought more troops, leading Congress to approve an additional 16 regiments under his command. These Additional regiments were intended to bring the total to 110 regiments, including the previously approved units.

The Additional regiments included Cornell's, Forman's, Webb's, and others, though some, like Scammell's and Sherburne's, were not formed due to declining offers from their intended commanders. This reorganization reflected a shift toward centralized control over troop recruitment and deployment during the war.