The group consists of soldiers who portray the Musket Company, the Artillery Crew . In September the companies began arriving in Williamsburg from the surrounding counties where each was recruited. Although the General Assembly had long prohibited the arming of both enslaved and free blacks, African Americans still fought in all American wars from the French and Indian War (1754-1763) to the American Civil . He was an Ensign 1st Battalion 1st Virginia Regiment Sept. 6, 1775, when he enlisted. The Hampton Legion, which had suffered greatly, was placed on the right of Jackson's brigade, and Hunton's 8th Virginia, as it arrived, upon the right of Hampton; the two latter being drawn somewhat to the rear so as to form with Jackson's right regiment a reserve, and be ready likewise to make defense against any advance from the direction of . Rider and Dych war-pension testimonies: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 15, microcopy M804: roll 2045, frames 001010, claim no. [59] The elements of the Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment in the field continued to be led by the company commanders until recruiting could bring the regiment up to greater strength. Virginia State Library. On 15 June 1780 the governor named Campbell commander of an expedition against the Cherokees and ordered him into what is now eastern Tennessee. The Virginians lost 100 prisoners they had taken, and in the process nearly all of the Ninth Virginia Regiment was captured. On February 12, 1781 a board of officers met at Chesterfield Court House, Virginia and created the First Virginia Regiment as a paper organization. Maj. Otho Holland Williams, exchanged on January 16, 1778[60] (likely with Rawlings), had been promoted to colonel of the 6th Maryland Regiment in December 1776 while a prisoner of war; he took command of this unit upon his release. Within a few days of the American victory at Trenton, British troops marched to the town to engage Washingtons small army. Maryland troops joined the battle, but Washington soon called his troops back, not willing to risk a full-scale engagement. Colonial and Revolutionary War (Virginia) | Genealogy By September of that year he had recruited a company of Fincastle County riflemen that was taken into the 1st Virginia Regiment under the command of Patrick Henry. Alexr. The British turned back toward Princeton and engaged Mercers troops. Virginia's Independent Frontier Companies, Part 1 of 2 Returns of the Maryland Corps (December 25, 1780): Maryland State Archives, Maryland State Papers (Series A), Box 21, Items 119A and 119B, MSA No.