The First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line is dedicated to inspiring patriotism, educating the public, and portraying with reasonable accuracy the soldiers and civilians of the Continental Army. The First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line
Raised in 1775
The First Virginia Regiment was authorized by the Virginia Convention of July 17, 1775, as a provincial defense unit of eight c
ompanies under the command of Patrick Henry. On February 15, 1776, the Regiment was accepted into the Continental Line, the new national army commanded by George Washington. In August 1776, the Regiment marched north to join Washington’s army near New York City. The First Virginia fought at the battles of Harlem Heights, and White Plains, and took part in Washington’s daring attack on Hessian troops at Trenton, New Jersey on December 26, 1776.The Regiment also fought in the battles of Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and Stony Point and wintered with the Army at Valley Forge. In November 1779, the First Virginia marched south with other Virginia regiments to join the fight in the Carolinas. In May 1780, the First Virginia, served at the siege of Charleston, South Carolina, and fought at the Battle of Guilford Court House in 1781. Most of Virginia’s Continental troops were mustered out of service in June 1783. America’s First Integrated Army
The Continental Army was integrated, with hundreds of African American, and Native American men serving beside white soldiers. While most of these men of color were free, some were not, and most enslaved men were emancipated when their service ended. Additionally,
like their white comrades, these men were given pensions for their military service after the War. The recreated First Virginia strives to honor this important history.
