Virginia Line
Encyclopedia
The Virginia Line was a formation within the Continental Army. The term "Virginia Line" referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to Virginia at various times by the Continental Congress
. These, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. The concept was particularly important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state.
Not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota, however. On December 27, 1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain military decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These “dictatorial powers” included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large.
Early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to Nathaniel Gist of Virginia, who accepted.
Washington also offered command of an additional regiment to William Grayson
of Virginia, who accepted. In 1776, Grayson had served as one of Washington’s personal aides.
Finally, Washington offered command of an additional regiment to Charles Mynn Thruston
of Virginia, who accepted.
Still other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units, also unrelated to a state quota, were raised as needed for special or temporary service. The independent companies raised by Virginia in 1777 to garrison Fort Pitt and Fort Randolph were examples of such “extra” units.
. New commissions issued at this time were dated September 14, 1778. In the White Plains rearrangement the Virginia Line was reorganized thus:
.
.
.
.
The Virginia regiments were still understrength and continued to dwindle in 1779, reduced to a fraction of their paper strength; at this point, regimental history becomes very confusing to track. Given the number of men fit for duty, these “regiments” are not really “regiments” at all any more, yet they are still named as such. In 1780, the word “Detachment” comes into use, describing a 700-man conglomeration of these “regiments.” The 2d Virginia Detachment is formed out of various regiments under the 2d Virginia Regiment’s original colonel, Brigadier General William Woodford, including elements of the 2d Virginia Regiment. The 3rd Virginia Detachment would be formed under Colonel Abraham Buford and was composed of elements of the 7th Virginia, as well as various pieces of other units. The first two Detachments of the Virginia Line served at the Siege of Charleston
, South Carolina, and were surrendered to the British Army on May 12, 1780, and the Third Detachment was cut to pieces at the Waxhaws
; the Virginia line had effectively ceased to exist. The single exception was the two-company 9th Virginia Regiment of 1779, which was stationed at Fort Pitt (the present Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
).
, ordered a further reorganization of the Continental Army. Under this reorganization, which was to be effective on January 1, 1781, Virginia was assigned a quota of eight infantry regiments. The Virginia Line was reorganized thus:
.
.
.
.
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
. These, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the Continental Line. The concept was particularly important in relation to the promotion of commissioned officers. Officers of the Continental Army below the rank of brigadier general were ordinarily ineligible for promotion except in the line of their own state.
Not all Continental infantry regiments raised in a state were part of a state quota, however. On December 27, 1776, the Continental Congress gave Washington temporary control over certain military decisions that the Congress ordinarily regarded as its own prerogative. These “dictatorial powers” included the authority to raise sixteen additional Continental infantry regiments at large.
Early in 1777, Washington offered command of one of these additional regiments to Nathaniel Gist of Virginia, who accepted.
Washington also offered command of an additional regiment to William Grayson
William Grayson
William Grayson was a soldier, lawyer, and statesman from Virginia. He was one of the first two U.S. Senators from Virginia, and belonged to the Anti-Federalist faction.-Biography:...
of Virginia, who accepted. In 1776, Grayson had served as one of Washington’s personal aides.
Finally, Washington offered command of an additional regiment to Charles Mynn Thruston
Charles Mynn Thruston
Charles Mynn Thruston was a soldier, farmer, politician, and a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He served as the mayor of Cumberland, Maryland, from 1861 to 1862....
of Virginia, who accepted.
Still other Continental infantry regiments and smaller units, also unrelated to a state quota, were raised as needed for special or temporary service. The independent companies raised by Virginia in 1777 to garrison Fort Pitt and Fort Randolph were examples of such “extra” units.
Virginia Provincial Regiments, 1775
In August 1775 the Virginia Convention voted to raise fifteen companies to serve one year. The companies were raised in the fall of 1775 and organized into two regiments. The Continental Congress resolved, on November 1, 1775, to place these two regiments on the Continental establishment. The regiments were designated the 1st and 2d Virginia Regiments.- The 1st Virginia Regiment was commanded by Patrick HenryPatrick HenryPatrick Henry was an orator and politician who led the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s. A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and subsequently, from 1784 to 1786...
.
- The 2d Virginia Regiment was commanded by William WoodfordWilliam WoodfordWilliam Woodford was an American Revolutionary War general from Virginia.He was born in Caroline County, Virginia, in a town now known as Woodford. He served in the French and Indian War as an ensign in Colonel George Washington's Virginia Regiment, and was promoted to lieutenant in 1761...
.
Virginia Line, 1776
On December 28, 1775, the Continental Congress voted to raise four more regiments in Virginia. The Virginia Convention concurred on January 11, 1776. The Convention ordered that an additional 72 companies be raised and that the term of service of the original fifteen companies be extended. The 87 companies were to be organized into nine regiments of ten companies each (the 9th Virginia Regiment having at first only seven companies). The new force was to serve for not exceeding two and a half years. The 1st and 2d Virginia Regiments were reconstituted; the 3d through 6th Virginia Regiments were raised as Continental regiments; and the 7th through 9th Virginia Regiments were raised as state troops. In the course of 1776 the state regiments were placed on the Continental establishment.- The 1st Virginia Regiment1st Virginia RegimentThe 1st Virginia Regiment was raised, on July 17, 1775, at Williamsburg, Virginia as a state militia unit and later for service with the Continental Army. Its origins go back to the Charles City-Henrico County Regiment of Militia founded in 1652. During the French and Indian War it was the...
.
- The 2nd Virginia Regiment2nd Virginia RegimentThe 2d Virginia Regiment was authorized by the Virginia Convention, July 17, 1775, as a force of regular troops for the Commonwealth's defense. It consisted of seven companies, 476 privates and the usual regimental officers...
.
- The 3rd Virginia Regiment3rd Virginia RegimentThe 3rd Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Alexandria, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The 3d Virginia's initial commander was Colonel Hugh Mercer, who was quickly promoted to brigadier general. Its second commander, George Weedon, was also promoted to brigadier...
.
- The 4th Virginia Regiment4th Virginia RegimentThe 4th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Suffolk Court House, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
.
- The 5th Virginia Regiment5th Virginia RegimentThe 5th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Richmond, Virginia for service with the U.S. Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment...
.
- The 6th Virginia Regiment6th Virginia RegimentThe 6th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Williamsburg, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
.
- The 7th Virginia Regiment7th Virginia RegimentThe 7th Virginia Regiment was raised on January 11, 1776 at Gloucester, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown , Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
.
- The 8th Virginia Regiment8th Virginia RegimentThe 8th Virginia Regiment was raised on January 11, 1776 at Suffolk Court House, Virginia for service with the Continental Army under the command of Peter Muhlenberg. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, the Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth...
.
- The 9th Virginia Regiment9th Virginia RegimentThe 9th Virginia Regiment was authorized in the Virginia State Troops on January 11, 1776. It was subsequently organized between February 5 and March 16, 1776 and comprised seven companies of troops from easternmost Virginia. The unit was adopted into the Continental Army on May 31, 1776. The...
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Virginia Line, 1777
On September 16, 1776, the Continental Congress resolved to raise an army of eighty-eight infantry regiments which were to serve for the duration of the war. Virginia was called upon to contribute fifteen of these regiments. The 1st through 9th Virginia Regiments were reconstituted in the Continental Army as regiments raised to serve for the duration of the war. The cadres for these regiments were drawn from the regiments which Virginia had sent to the field in 1775 and 1776. The remaining six regiments (the 10th through 15th Virginia Regiments) were entirely new.- The 1st Virginia Regiment1st Virginia RegimentThe 1st Virginia Regiment was raised, on July 17, 1775, at Williamsburg, Virginia as a state militia unit and later for service with the Continental Army. Its origins go back to the Charles City-Henrico County Regiment of Militia founded in 1652. During the French and Indian War it was the...
.
- The 2nd Virginia Regiment2nd Virginia RegimentThe 2d Virginia Regiment was authorized by the Virginia Convention, July 17, 1775, as a force of regular troops for the Commonwealth's defense. It consisted of seven companies, 476 privates and the usual regimental officers...
.
- The 3rd Virginia Regiment3rd Virginia RegimentThe 3rd Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Alexandria, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The 3d Virginia's initial commander was Colonel Hugh Mercer, who was quickly promoted to brigadier general. Its second commander, George Weedon, was also promoted to brigadier...
.
- The 4th Virginia Regiment4th Virginia RegimentThe 4th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Suffolk Court House, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
.
- The 5th Virginia Regiment5th Virginia RegimentThe 5th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Richmond, Virginia for service with the U.S. Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment...
.
- The 6th Virginia Regiment6th Virginia RegimentThe 6th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Williamsburg, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
.
- The 7th Virginia Regiment7th Virginia RegimentThe 7th Virginia Regiment was raised on January 11, 1776 at Gloucester, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown , Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
.
- The 8th Virginia Regiment8th Virginia RegimentThe 8th Virginia Regiment was raised on January 11, 1776 at Suffolk Court House, Virginia for service with the Continental Army under the command of Peter Muhlenberg. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, the Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth...
.
- The 9th Virginia Regiment9th Virginia RegimentThe 9th Virginia Regiment was authorized in the Virginia State Troops on January 11, 1776. It was subsequently organized between February 5 and March 16, 1776 and comprised seven companies of troops from easternmost Virginia. The unit was adopted into the Continental Army on May 31, 1776. The...
.
- The 10th Virginia Regiment10th Virginia Regiment-History:The 10th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 in western Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
.
- The 11th Virginia Regiment11th Virginia RegimentThe 11th Virginia Regiment was a Continental Army regiment that fought in the American Revolutionary War.Authorized by the Second Continental Congress on 16 September 1776, it was organized on 3 February 1777 and consisted of four companies from the Virginia counties of Loudoun, Frederick, Prince...
.
- The 12th Virginia Regiment12th Virginia RegimentThe 12th Virginia Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 at Williamsburg, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action in the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
.
- The 13th Virginia Regiment13th Virginia RegimentThe 13th Virginia Regiment was a United States infantry regiment during the American Revolutionary War.-Summary:The 13th Virginia Regiment was authorized on 16 September 1776 by the Continental Congress for service with the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War...
.
- The 14th Virginia Regiment14th Virginia RegimentThe 14th Virginia Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 in western Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth, and Siege of Charleston. Most of the regiment was captured at Charlestown,...
.
- The 15th Virginia Regiment15th Virginia RegimentThe 15th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 in eastern, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
.
Reorganization of the Virginia Line, 1778-1779
The Continental Congress ordered a reorganization of the Continental Army on May 27, 1778. Under this resolove, the Virginia quota was reduced from fifteen infantry regiments to eleven. In September 1778 the Virginia Line was in the vicinity of White Plains, New York, after serving at the Battle of MonmouthBattle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court...
. New commissions issued at this time were dated September 14, 1778. In the White Plains rearrangement the Virginia Line was reorganized thus:
- The 1st Virginia Regiment1st Virginia RegimentThe 1st Virginia Regiment was raised, on July 17, 1775, at Williamsburg, Virginia as a state militia unit and later for service with the Continental Army. Its origins go back to the Charles City-Henrico County Regiment of Militia founded in 1652. During the French and Indian War it was the...
absorbed the 9th Virginia Regiment9th Virginia RegimentThe 9th Virginia Regiment was authorized in the Virginia State Troops on January 11, 1776. It was subsequently organized between February 5 and March 16, 1776 and comprised seven companies of troops from easternmost Virginia. The unit was adopted into the Continental Army on May 31, 1776. The...
of 1777.
- The 2nd Virginia Regiment2nd Virginia RegimentThe 2d Virginia Regiment was authorized by the Virginia Convention, July 17, 1775, as a force of regular troops for the Commonwealth's defense. It consisted of seven companies, 476 privates and the usual regimental officers...
absorbed the 6th Virginia Regiment6th Virginia RegimentThe 6th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Williamsburg, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
of 1777.
- The 3rd Virginia Regiment3rd Virginia RegimentThe 3rd Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Alexandria, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The 3d Virginia's initial commander was Colonel Hugh Mercer, who was quickly promoted to brigadier general. Its second commander, George Weedon, was also promoted to brigadier...
absorbed the 5th Virginia Regiment5th Virginia RegimentThe 5th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Richmond, Virginia for service with the U.S. Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment...
of 1777.
- The 4th Virginia Regiment4th Virginia RegimentThe 4th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Suffolk Court House, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
absorbed the 8th Virginia Regiment8th Virginia RegimentThe 8th Virginia Regiment was raised on January 11, 1776 at Suffolk Court House, Virginia for service with the Continental Army under the command of Peter Muhlenberg. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, the Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth...
of 1777.
.
.
- The 7th Virginia Regiment7th Virginia RegimentThe 7th Virginia Regiment was raised on January 11, 1776 at Gloucester, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown , Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
of 1777 was redesignated the 5th Virginia Regiment of 1779.
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.
- The 10th Virginia Regiment10th Virginia Regiment-History:The 10th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 in western Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
of 1777 was redesignated the 6th Virginia Regiment of 1779.
- The 11th Virginia Regiment11th Virginia RegimentThe 11th Virginia Regiment was a Continental Army regiment that fought in the American Revolutionary War.Authorized by the Second Continental Congress on 16 September 1776, it was organized on 3 February 1777 and consisted of four companies from the Virginia counties of Loudoun, Frederick, Prince...
of 1777 was redesignated the 7th Virginia Regiment of 1779.
- The 12th Virginia Regiment12th Virginia RegimentThe 12th Virginia Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 at Williamsburg, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action in the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
of 1777 was redesignated the 8th Virginia Regiment of 1779.
- The 13th Virginia Regiment13th Virginia RegimentThe 13th Virginia Regiment was a United States infantry regiment during the American Revolutionary War.-Summary:The 13th Virginia Regiment was authorized on 16 September 1776 by the Continental Congress for service with the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War...
of 1777 was redesignated the 9th Virginia Regiment of 1779.
- The 14th Virginia Regiment14th Virginia RegimentThe 14th Virginia Regiment was raised on September 16, 1776 in western Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth, and Siege of Charleston. Most of the regiment was captured at Charlestown,...
of 1777 was redesignated the 10th Virginia Regiment of 1779.
- The 15th Virginia Regiment15th Virginia RegimentThe 15th Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 in eastern, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston...
of 1777 was redesignated the 11th Virginia Regiment of 1779.
The Virginia regiments were still understrength and continued to dwindle in 1779, reduced to a fraction of their paper strength; at this point, regimental history becomes very confusing to track. Given the number of men fit for duty, these “regiments” are not really “regiments” at all any more, yet they are still named as such. In 1780, the word “Detachment” comes into use, describing a 700-man conglomeration of these “regiments.” The 2d Virginia Detachment is formed out of various regiments under the 2d Virginia Regiment’s original colonel, Brigadier General William Woodford, including elements of the 2d Virginia Regiment. The 3rd Virginia Detachment would be formed under Colonel Abraham Buford and was composed of elements of the 7th Virginia, as well as various pieces of other units. The first two Detachments of the Virginia Line served at the Siege of Charleston
Siege of Charleston
The Siege of Charleston was one of the major battles which took place towards the end of the American Revolutionary War, after the British began to shift their strategic focus towards the American Southern Colonies. After about six weeks of siege, Continental Army Major General Benjamin Lincoln...
, South Carolina, and were surrendered to the British Army on May 12, 1780, and the Third Detachment was cut to pieces at the Waxhaws
Waxhaws
The Waxhaws is a geographical area on the border of North and South Carolina.-Geography:The Waxhaws region is in the Piedmont region of North and South Carolina, southwest of the Uwharrie Mountains. The region encompasses an area just south of Charlotte, North Carolina, to Lancaster, South...
; the Virginia line had effectively ceased to exist. The single exception was the two-company 9th Virginia Regiment of 1779, which was stationed at Fort Pitt (the present Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
).
Reorganization of the Virginia Line, 1781
In October 1780 the Continental Congress, in consultation with George WashingtonGeorge Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, ordered a further reorganization of the Continental Army. Under this reorganization, which was to be effective on January 1, 1781, Virginia was assigned a quota of eight infantry regiments. The Virginia Line was reorganized thus:
- 1st Virginia Regiment.
- 2d Virginia Regiment.
- 3d Virginia Regiment.
- 4th Virginia Regiment.
- 5th Virginia Regiment (1779).
- 6th Virginia Regiment (1779),
.
- The 7th Virginia Regiment (1781) (Constituted by redesignation of the 9th Virginia Regiment of 1779).
- The 8th Virginia Regiment (1779).
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External links
- Bibliography of the Continental Army in Virginia compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History