The Culpeper Minutemen
In the summer of 1775, Virginia organized a statewide system of Minute battalions. It was done at Congress's behest but failed as a system of recruitment and defense. Of the 16 Minute districts, only the Culpeper District (Culpeper, Orange, and Fauquier counties) succeeded in raising a full battalion of ten companies. Even there, there were only enough weapons to equip half the men. The Culpeper Minutemen nevertheless played a critical role in Virginia's first military engagements.
“‘Liberty or Death:‘ The Culpeper Minutemen” (Jim Bish, ERW) Jim Bish tells the story of Hampton, Great Bridge, and the Culpeper Minutemen—the one shining success amid the failure of Virginia's 1775 experiment with Minute battalions.
"The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Great Bridge" (Pat Hannum, ERW) Pat Hannum walks us through Virginia's first combat of the Revolution.
“Eleven Patriot Company Commanders at Great Bridge, December 9, 1775" (Pat Hannum, JAR)
New & Notable
"The New Dominion: The Land Lotteries" (Gabriel Neville, JAR) Virginia gave warrants for western bounty land to its veterans. Those hardy enough to brave the wilderness got the best territory.
"Dunmore After Great Bridge and the Burning of Norfolk" (Pat Hannum, ERW) The largest town in Virginia was burned to the ground over the first days of 1776. Why, and who was to blame?
"Thomas Nelson of Yorktown, Virginia" (Nicholas R. Marsalla, JAR)
"Andrew Lewis and the 8th Virginia Regiment" (Shenandoah Valley Radio Program)
"In Praise of Common Sense" (Chris Mackowski, ERW)
"'The Old Wagoner' and the Beginning of the American Revolution" (Scott Patchman, ERW) Daniel Morgan and the Canadian Campaign of 1775.
"The Seasons of Peter Muhlenberg" (Shenandoah Valley Radio Program)
