Virginia Regiment
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Virginia Regiment was formed in 1754 by Virginia 's Governor Robert Dinwiddie, initially as an all volunteer corps, and he sent George Washington, the future first president of the United States of America, to assume command upon the death of Colonel Joshua Fry. Washington, who had previously been a Lt. Colonel, received a promotion to Colonel when he assumed command.
Most recruits were characterized by George Washington as "loose, Idle Persons... quite destitute of House, and Home." Hampered by frequent desertions because of poor supplies, extremely low pay and hazardous duty, Virginia regiment recruiters went to Pennsylvania and Maryland for men. Washington also said of them, " and not a few... have Scarce a Coat, or Waistcoat, to their Backs". Later drafts pulled only those who could not provide a substitute or pay the 10 pound exemption fee, ensuring that the only Virginia's poor would be drafted. White males between 16 and 50 were permitted to serve, although the Regiment's size rolls report men as young as 15 and as old as 60 in the ranks, along with references to a small number of drafts with partial African and native American ancestry.
The Virginia Regiment is noteworthy in the colonies because it was the first all-colonial professional military force. Although colonials had served in the British Army, and militias were common, the regiment was the only to drill regularly and wear a standard uniform.
