The Rifle Companies of 1775Two companies of Virginia riflemen under Hugh Stephenson and Daniel Morgan were recruited in the summer of 1775 and taken directly into Continental service. Maryland and Pennsylvania raised independent rifle companies at the same time. Enlistments were for one year. When that time was up, the marksmen were asked to reenlist for two years while enough additional rifle companies were authorized to form a Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment (Pennsylvania's companies formed their own rifle regiment). Most of this regiment's men were captured at the fall of Fort Washington in November 1776. Some who evaded capture helped form Daniel Morgan's 11th Virginia Regiment during the winter of 1777, and many went into Morgan's Provisional Rifle Corps that summer.
“The Beeline March: The Birth of the American Army." (John Grady, JAR) The rush to recruit and march to Boston. “Patriot Riflemen During the Ammunition Crisis at the Siege of Boston, 1775," (Hugh T. Harrington, AmericanRevolution.org) What they did when they got there. “Unit History of the Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment (1776–1781): Insights from the Service Record of Capt. Adamson Tannehill" (Tucker F. Hentz, VMHC) A good analysis of the rifle companies from Maryland and Virginia from their origins as independent units through their later service in the Maryland & Virginia Rifle Regiment and Daniel Morgan's Provisional Rifle Corps. New Online"Scott's Levies: The Virginia Detachments, 1779-1780" (John Settle, JAR) After the Virginia Continental Line was captured at Charleston, survivors and recruits were thrown together into ad hoc "detachments."
"Revolution Revisited" (VMHC) A new podcast series about the Revolution from the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. "The Birth of the Longrifle: Martin Meylin's Gun Shop" (Gabe Neville, RV) Weak documentation and strong tradition both point to Pennsylvania's Martin Meylin as the man who first created the Pennsylvania Rifle. "How a Now-Defunct County in Southwest Virginia Became the First to Declare its Willingness to Fight Britain" (Randy Walker, Cardinal News) The story behind the strongly-worded Fincastle Resolutions of January, 1775. "Action at Charles City Courthouse—January 8, 1781" (Mark Wilcox, ERW) The Queen's Rangers are fooled by Virginia militia at Charles City Court House. New in Print
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