Stephenson's Rifles
In 1776, survivors of the 1775 independent rifle companies (famous for the Bee Line March) joined six new companies to create the Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment. It's commander, Hugh Stephenson, died of illness a month into service and six of the regiment's companies were captured at the fall of Fort Washington. Those who evaded capture were attached to the 11th Virginia, Morgan's Rifles, and the 4th Maryland. After a prisoner exchange in 1778, the regiment struggled on in western service until 1781.
“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.
"Vanishing Ranks: Rawling's Rifle Regiment and the Struggle to Recruit for the Frontier" (Tucker F. Hentz, JAR)
"Lt. Elijah Evans of Maryland: Unresolved Promotion in an Extra Continental Regiment" (Tucker F. Hentz, JAR) - Though mostly about a Virginia officer, this article complements Hentz's earlier essay on Rawling's Regiment, and the fate of the early Independent rifle companies.
New & Notable
"Henry Nicholson & The Williamsburg Boys' Company" (Gabriel Neville, RV) - In 1775, Williamsburg’s boys organized themselves into a company and elected 14-year-old Henry Nicholson their captain. They bragged that they could “perform all the evolutions of manual exercise far better than the soldiers who were daily arriving.”
"Just Peachey: The Early Service of the 5th Virginia Regiment" (Gabriel Neville, RV) - William Peachey was made colonel of the 5th Virginia Regiment after distinguished French & Indian War service. Then he abruptly resigned.
"Capt. Henry Fauntleroy: A Death by Cannonball" (Gabriel Neville, RV) - Capt. Harry Fauntleroy returned to Valley Forge from winter furlough carrying a pair of ornate pistols for General Washington. Three months later, he was dead.
"Slighted Honor: Duels, Courts-Martial, and Resignations in the Virginia Line" (Gabriel Neville, RV) - Most Continental Army officers were obsessed with rank, honor, and insult. Offended generals caused unending discord by fighting, quitting, and calling for investigations. Baptists, Methodists, and Lutheran pietists planted the seeds of a new conception of honor.
"Where Are the Virginia Regimental Buttons?" (Gabriel Neville, RV) - Revolutionary War uniform buttons survive from most of the 13 colonies, but not from Virginia. We know they existed, and a lost one is probably just waiting to be found.
"Patrick Henry’s Secret Plan to Extend Virginia Westward " (Dwayne Yancey, Cardinal News) - George Rogers Clark gets the historical credit for “the conquest of the Northwest,” as the land between the Alleghenies and the Mississippi was then called. It was Henry who authorized the military action as a secret mission on behalf of Virginia, not the United States.
"The 1st Virginia at Fort Lee, September 1776" (Gabriel Neville, RV) - When the 1st Virginia first joined the main army at Fort Lee, many of its officers and men were already dying.
"'This a Belt as Curious:' Hunting Shirt Belts" (Jim Mullins, Of Sorts for Provincials) - Riflemen and longhunters often wore belts with their hunting shirts, made of wampum, rattlesnake skins, or simply braided. They were evidently always tied in the back.
