The 3rd Continental Artillery Regiment also known as Crane's Continental Artillery Regiment became part of the Continental Army on January 1, 1777 as Colonel John Crane's Continental Artillery Regiment. The regiment was made up of 12 artillery companies from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including some companies that had served in Henry Knox's Continental Artillery Regiment. The regiment served with George Washington's main army. Three artillery companies in Ebenezer Stevens' Provisional Artillery Battalion had a separate existence in the Northern Department until the end of 1778 when they rejoined the regiment.