The 11th Regiment was formed in October 1739, and was composed of companies from the towns of Woodstock, Pomfret, and Killingly, Connecticut, with many of the soldiers serving in the Wars against the French.

During the years leading up to the American Revolution, the 11th Regiment added a Troop of Horse in 1773 (the 11th’s Troop of Horse, commanded by Captain Samuel McClellan, would be reorganized in 1776 along with the 5th, 19th, 21st, and 22nd as the 4th Regiment of Connecticut Light Horse commanded by Major Ebenezer Backus. The 4th Light Horse would “faithfully serve” near New York from September 8 to November 2, 1776.), and a Company of Grenadiers in 1774 (This Company of Grenadiers in the year 1778 would be asked by Governor Jonathan Trumbull, “to Exert and Distinguish themselves” during the Battle of Rhode Island).

Men of the 11th Regiment saw action in the 1st, 7th & 8th companies of Putnam’s 3rd Connecticut Regiment at Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston during 1775; as the 11th Regiment, 5th Militia Brigade in Putnam’s Division during the Battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776; retreated with the army into New Jersey, September 20, 1776; in Bergen, New Jersey, September 23, 1776; at Fort Constitution October 3, 1776; and while answering numerous alarms in Connecticut and Rhode Island throughout the War. Men of the 11th Regiment also enlisted and served in the Continental Line. The Troop of Horse, Grenadiers, and Militia of the 11th Regiment continued to train annually up to the year 1840.