The 8th Virginia Regiment (1775-1778)
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THE FOURTH VIRGINIA CONVENTION AUTHORIZED THE 8TH VIRGINIA IN DECEMBER 1775. In January, Peter Muhlenberg, Abraham Bowman, and Peter Helphenstine were appointed colonel, lieutenant colonel, and major. Revolutionary county committees appointed company officers and were responsible for all recruiting. The 8th was a provincial regiment until Congress took it into Continental pay in August 1776 (retroactively to May). It was originally an all-rifle regiment and recruited in eight western counties. It was combined with the 4th Virginia Regiment on September 14, 1778, after which the former 12th Virginia Regiment was redesignated the “new” 8th Virginia.
The Virginia Convention called the 8th the “German battalion,” appointed three German-American field officers to command it, and included the Shenandoah Valley in its recruiting territory. The counties of Berkeley, Frederick, and Dunmore (now Shenandoah) had large German populations. Hampshire and Culpeper had smaller German (often called “Dutch”) populations. Berkeley, Frederick, Hampshire, and Culpeper each raised one company for the regiment. Dunmore raised two. Augusta (including the “West Augusta” district) and Fincastle counties were predominantly Scotch Irish. Fincastle raised one company, and Augusta raised three (two from West Augusta, which had its own committee). The regiment was consequently about equal parts German and Scotch Irish, with English and other ethnicities included as well. Companies marched individually or in pairs to Williamsburg in the spring of 1776, where soldiers were inspected, and officers received their provincial commissions. The regimental rendezvous was at Suffolk, south of the James River near Norfolk. |
Peter Muhlenberg in the uniform of a major general many years after the war.
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Chesapeake Campaign. From February to May, six or seven of the regiment’s companies participated in operations to oppose Lord Dunmore, the royal governor who was raiding coastal plantations and collecting an army of escaped slaves and indentured servants. (Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, Brig. Gen. Andrew Lewis)
First Southern Campaign. Charles Lee responded to news of British troops landing in the Carolinas by taking the 8th Virginia south. He said the regiment was the best equipped in the Virginia Provincial Line. Still provincial soldiers, many men objected to service outside of Virginia, and many deserted. Nine of the regiment’s ten companies were at Charleston for the Battle of Sullivan’s Island (June 28, 1776). About five companies were engaged in combat on the north end of the island, blocking British infantry from crossing from Long Island (now “Isle of Palms”). (Maj Gen. Charles Lee, Brig. Gen. Robert Howe, Brig. Gen. John Armstrong)
First Southern Campaign. Charles Lee responded to news of British troops landing in the Carolinas by taking the 8th Virginia south. He said the regiment was the best equipped in the Virginia Provincial Line. Still provincial soldiers, many men objected to service outside of Virginia, and many deserted. Nine of the regiment’s ten companies were at Charleston for the Battle of Sullivan’s Island (June 28, 1776). About five companies were engaged in combat on the north end of the island, blocking British infantry from crossing from Long Island (now “Isle of Palms”). (Maj Gen. Charles Lee, Brig. Gen. Robert Howe, Brig. Gen. John Armstrong)
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The regiment celebrated the Declaration of Independence at Charleston on August 5, 1776. Lee then took the regiment south on an expedition to attack St. Augustine in British East Florida. Over 100 men were left at Charleston sick with malaria. Seriously ill, Major Helphenstine resigned and went home to Virginia. The expedition halted at Sunbury, Georgia, by which time most of the remainder were sick. An insignificant “incursion of insult” was staged across the border under Col. Lachlan McIntosh, but no 8th Virginia men can be shown to have participated. A significant number of 8th Virginia men died of malaria at Charleston and Sunbury. (Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, Brig. Gen. Robert Howe)
New York-New Jersey Campaign. Captain William Croghan’s West Augusta Company arrived at Williamsburg after the regiment’s departure south. A detachment was formed of this company, three groups of new recruits, and stragglers from other companies. Croghan’s Detachment served with the 1st Virginia Regiment until the spring of 1777. The Detachment marched north to reinforce Washington in August. It joined the army at Fort Constitution (Fort Lee) where the 1st Virginia was provisionally brigaded with the Colonel George Weedon’s 3rd Virginia, with Weedon in command. Croghan was sick and his detachment was commanded by Lieutenant Abraham Kirkpatrick for the remained for the campaign. |
Officers, April 1776Col. Peter Muhlenberg Lt. Col. Abraham Bowman Maj. Peter Helphenstine Capt. John Stephenson (West Augusta) Capt. William Darke (Berkeley) Capt. Richard Campbell (Dunmore) Capt. George Slaughter (Culpeper) Capt. Jonathan Clark (Dunmore) Capt. Abel Westfall (Hampshire Capt. David Stephenson (Augusta) Capt. Thomas Berry (Frederick) Capt. William Croghan (West Augusta) Capt. James Knox (Fincastle) |
The 1st Virginia and Kirkpatrick’s men were then brigaded under Brig. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Stirling, and participated in the Battle of White Plains (October 28, 1776) and the Battle of Trenton (December 26, 1776). Dramatically reduced in number from illness and injury, Stirling’s brigade was combined under Gen. Hugh Mercer for the Battle of Assunpink Creek (January 2, 1777) and the Battle of Princeton (January 3, 1777). Stirling was ill and absent from these battles, and Gen. Mercer was mortally wounded at Princeton. Only about six men from 140 originally assigned to Croghan’s Detachment were fit for duty at Princeton. During the 1777 Morristown Encampment, these men recuperated, were inoculated with smallpox, and engaged in the Forage War (winter 1777). (Gen. George Washington, Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, Brig. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Stirling, Brig. Gen. Hugh Mercer, Brig Gen. Adam Stephen)
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Command Changes. The regiment returned to Virginia in December 1776, was modestly successful at recruiting, and marched to Philadelphia to be inoculated with smallpox. At Muhlenberg’s request, soldiers not expert with rifles became musketeers. Colonel Muhlenberg was promoted to brigadier general, and Abraham Bowman was promoted to colonel. John Markham was promoted from the 2nd Virginia to become Lieutenant Colonel. General Lee appointed Captain Richard Campbell of Dunmore to replace Major Helphenstine the previous August. Though probably ill, Captain William Darke of Berkeley was senior to Campbell, creating a rank dispute. Inoculated soldiers rendezvoused with Croghan’s Detachment at Bound Brook, New Jersey in April.
The regiment was brigaded under Brig. Gen. Charles Scott in a division commanded by Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen. Captain James Knox of Fincastle County was detached with several men to serve in the Provisional Rifle Battalion under Col. Daniel Morgan. Captain William Darke of Berkeley was frequently given command of rifle/light infantry detachment from Scott’s Brigade. |
Officers, June 1777Col. Abraham Bowman Lt. Col. John Markham Maj. Richard Campbell* Capt. William Darke (Berkeley) Capt. George Slaughter (Culpeper) Capt. Jonathan Clark (Dunmore) Capt. Abel Westfall (Hampshire) Capt. David Stephenson (Augusta) Capt. Thomas Berry (Frederick) Capt. William Croghan (West Augusta) Capt. Mathias Hite* (prev. Campbell) Capt. Robert Higgins (recruiting) *Rank contested |
Philadelphia Campaign. Darke’s Rifle Detachment and Morgan’s Rifles participated in the Battle of Short Hills (June 28, 1777). About 40 men were detached with Darke to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell’s Light Infantry from late August to late September. Maxwell’s Light Infantry fought the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge (September 3, 1777), supported only by militia. The 8th Virginia fought at the Battle of Brandywine (September 11, 1777) and was present for the Battle of the Clouds (September 16, 1777). Maxwell’s Light Infantry fought independently at the Battle of the Clouds and at Brandywine. Darke’s men rejoined the regiment on about September 26. The command dispute was resolved and Darke became major of the regiment. Campbell was transferred to the 13th Virginia. The regiment participated in the Battle of Germantown (October 4, 1777). Darke and several officers and soldiers were captured. Markham was cashiered after the battle for refusing an order to advance. Adam Stephen was cashiered for misconduct and the Marquis de Lafayette was given command of the division. (Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen, Brig. Gen. Charles Scott)
Valley Forge. The two-year enlistments for 1776 recruits expired by April, officers decided prior to the Valley Forge Encampment to allow any soldier who reenlisted to go home for the winter on furlough. Soldiers who declined to reenlist were required to remain at Valley Forge for the winter. Most of the regiment’s officers also went home on furlough, leaving Captains Jonathan Clark of Dunmore and William Croghan in command. Enlistments ended before reenlisted men, new recruits, and the first draftees appeared in camp in April. In June, the severely depleted regiment was provisionally combined with the similarly weak 4th Virginia and the newer 12th Virginia and designated the “4th-8th-12th Regiment.” This organization was commanded by Col. James Wood (of the 12th), Lt. Col. John Neville (of the 4th), and newly promoted Maj. Jonathan Clark (of the 8th). Colonel Bowman was left without an assignment. Soldiers from the 8th Virginia were put in two companies commanded by Captains William Croghan and Abraham Kirkpatrick. (Maj. Gen. Lafayette, Brig. Gen. Charles Scott)
Monmouth Campaign. The 4th-8th-12th marched east with the army to participate in the Battle of Monmouth. Wood and Neville both appear to have been absent, and Major Clark was likely in command. The army then camped at White Plains, where the 8th was folded in the 4th Virginia. The previous 12th Virginia was redesignated the “new” 8th but was a completely different unit. William Croghan was promoted to major of the 4th Virginia.
Valley Forge. The two-year enlistments for 1776 recruits expired by April, officers decided prior to the Valley Forge Encampment to allow any soldier who reenlisted to go home for the winter on furlough. Soldiers who declined to reenlist were required to remain at Valley Forge for the winter. Most of the regiment’s officers also went home on furlough, leaving Captains Jonathan Clark of Dunmore and William Croghan in command. Enlistments ended before reenlisted men, new recruits, and the first draftees appeared in camp in April. In June, the severely depleted regiment was provisionally combined with the similarly weak 4th Virginia and the newer 12th Virginia and designated the “4th-8th-12th Regiment.” This organization was commanded by Col. James Wood (of the 12th), Lt. Col. John Neville (of the 4th), and newly promoted Maj. Jonathan Clark (of the 8th). Colonel Bowman was left without an assignment. Soldiers from the 8th Virginia were put in two companies commanded by Captains William Croghan and Abraham Kirkpatrick. (Maj. Gen. Lafayette, Brig. Gen. Charles Scott)
Monmouth Campaign. The 4th-8th-12th marched east with the army to participate in the Battle of Monmouth. Wood and Neville both appear to have been absent, and Major Clark was likely in command. The army then camped at White Plains, where the 8th was folded in the 4th Virginia. The previous 12th Virginia was redesignated the “new” 8th but was a completely different unit. William Croghan was promoted to major of the 4th Virginia.
GABRIEL NEVILLE is the author of The Last Men Standing: The 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution.
Online
The 8th Virginia Regiment. A website dedicated to this regiment created by Gabe Neville.
“The Fighting Parson's Farewell Sermon" (Michael Cecere, JAR). While the mythology of Col. Peter Muhlenberg's farewell sermon is not far from the facts, this essay provides an important, objective corrective.
“A Forty-Year Bond: William Darke and George Washington in in Politics, Business, and War" (Gabriel Neville, Jefferson Co. Hist. Soc.)
“Shenandoah Martyr: Richard Campbell at War" (Gabriel Neville, JAR). Campbell, an 8th Virginia veteran, was Virginia's second-highest-ranking battlefield casualty of the war.
“The Reverend Peter Muhlenberg: A Symbiotic Adventure in Virginia, 1772-1783" (George M. Smith,The Report). A substantive and well-researched account of how Lutheran Peter Muhlenberg ended up in Virginia as an Anglican Priest.
“William Croghan, Sr. [1752-822]: A Pioneer Kentucky Gentleman" (Samuel W. Thomas, Filson) An old most still mostly accurate look at one of the regiment's officers.
“The Fighting Parson's Farewell Sermon" (Michael Cecere, JAR). While the mythology of Col. Peter Muhlenberg's farewell sermon is not far from the facts, this essay provides an important, objective corrective.
“A Forty-Year Bond: William Darke and George Washington in in Politics, Business, and War" (Gabriel Neville, Jefferson Co. Hist. Soc.)
“Shenandoah Martyr: Richard Campbell at War" (Gabriel Neville, JAR). Campbell, an 8th Virginia veteran, was Virginia's second-highest-ranking battlefield casualty of the war.
“The Reverend Peter Muhlenberg: A Symbiotic Adventure in Virginia, 1772-1783" (George M. Smith,The Report). A substantive and well-researched account of how Lutheran Peter Muhlenberg ended up in Virginia as an Anglican Priest.
“William Croghan, Sr. [1752-822]: A Pioneer Kentucky Gentleman" (Samuel W. Thomas, Filson) An old most still mostly accurate look at one of the regiment's officers.
In Print
Michael Cecere, A Brave, Active and Intrepid Soldier: Lieutenant Colonel Richard Campbell of the Virginia Continental Line (Berwyn Heights, MD: Heritage Books, 2020). 8th Virginia Captain Richard Campbell continued on in service, was promoted twice, and died in battle in 1781. He was Virginia's second-highest-ranking officer to die in combat.
Michael Cecere, Peter Muhlenberg, A Virginia Officer of the Continental Line (Yardley, Pa: Westholme Publishing, 2020). The most recent biography of the 8th Virginia's first colonel celebrates his real achievements and corrects some mythology.
Gabriel Neville, The Last Men Standing: The 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution (Warwick: Helion & Company, 2025). The complete history of the regiment.
Gwynne Tuell Potts, George Rogers Clark and William Croghan (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2020). 8th Virginia captain William Croghan married the sister of George Rogers Clark and they lived and the two men worked closely together in Kentucky after the war.
John W. Wayland, The Bowmans: A Pioneering Family of Virginia, Kentucky, and the Northwest Territory (1943; repr. Harrisonburg: C.J. Carrier, 1974). 8th Virginia lieutenant colonel and lieutenant colonel Abraham Bowman is remembered in this book about his service and that of his three equally notable brothers. (Out of print.)
Michael Cecere, Peter Muhlenberg, A Virginia Officer of the Continental Line (Yardley, Pa: Westholme Publishing, 2020). The most recent biography of the 8th Virginia's first colonel celebrates his real achievements and corrects some mythology.
Gabriel Neville, The Last Men Standing: The 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution (Warwick: Helion & Company, 2025). The complete history of the regiment.
Gwynne Tuell Potts, George Rogers Clark and William Croghan (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2020). 8th Virginia captain William Croghan married the sister of George Rogers Clark and they lived and the two men worked closely together in Kentucky after the war.
John W. Wayland, The Bowmans: A Pioneering Family of Virginia, Kentucky, and the Northwest Territory (1943; repr. Harrisonburg: C.J. Carrier, 1974). 8th Virginia lieutenant colonel and lieutenant colonel Abraham Bowman is remembered in this book about his service and that of his three equally notable brothers. (Out of print.)
Video
“Muhlenberg & the 8th Virginia" (Michael Cecere and Gabriel Neville, ERW). A fun overview of Muhlenberg and the 8th Virginia.
“Colonel Abraham Bowman" (Gabriel Neville, 8th Va). An 8-minute biography.
“Flags of the American Revolution" (Scott Stephenson, C-SPAN). A look at a surviving 8th Virginia banner.
“Colonel Abraham Bowman" (Gabriel Neville, 8th Va). An 8-minute biography.
“Flags of the American Revolution" (Scott Stephenson, C-SPAN). A look at a surviving 8th Virginia banner.
Museums and Historic Sites
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Historic Locust Grove, Louisville, Ky. The postwar home of Maj. William Croghan includes a museum that is the closest thing available to a museum of the 8th Virginia Regiment.
Historic Trappe and Augustus Lutheran Church, Trappe, Pa. The childhood home, postwar home, and gravesite of Peter Muhlenberg. The Muhlenberg House is a fully-furnished museum, the nearby Deweese Tavern houses the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies and five exhibition galleries. The church remains virtually unchanged from colonial times. Shenandoah County Historic Courthouse, Woodstock, Va. Across the street from the site of Muhlenberg's famous sermon, the 1795 courthouse now houses a museum celebrating Colonel Muhlenberg and the 8th Virginia. |
The Historic Courtroom Museum in Woodstock, Va.
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Art: “Forward! Forward! He cried!" by Frank Schoonover, 1921. (VMHC)
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