General Impression Reference Form - Revised 2-95 RH Briggs
©1992-1996 Ralph H. Briggs
1. UNIT: Sixth Virginia Regiment of Foot, Congressional Forces, Continental Line,
The 6th VA of the NWTA portrays an early Continental regiment of the American Revolution and includes troops from rifle and musket companies. Its image is one poorly uniformed and irregularly equipped, in training near Williamsburg, Virginia, and engaged in the defense of the western shores of the Chesapeake Bay.
2. General Area Of Origin Or Recruitment: Musket companies from Tidewater counties near Williamsburg, rifle companies from western frontier, east of the mountains.
The various companies of the 6th were raised as follows:
3. Ethnicity (Nationalities) Of Members Of Original Unit: English (musket), Scots-Irish and German (rifle) (Hofstadter).
4. Geography Covered On Campaigns During Revolution: Chesapeake Bay area north to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
Engagements: Gwynn Island, Trenton, Princeton, Defense of Philadelphia, New Jersey, Brandywine, Germantown, Saratoga, Fort Mifflin. (Appendix A: History and Movements)
5. Duration Of Unit Participation: February 13, 1776, to September 14, 1778.
6. Period Of Unit Existence Portrayed By Recreated Unit: August, 1776.
7. Geography Covered By The Unit To The End Of The Period Of Portrayal: Chesapeake Bay area (Appendix A).
8. General Uniform And Equipment Condition Based On Conditions Of Supply, Campaign Wear, And Unit Discipline: Uniform, weapons and accoutrements not completely or uniformly issued due to poor sources of supply. (See 7.)
9. Headgear: Black round hat, 2 inch brim bound in black, turned up on left side with a black cockade and 7/8 inch white metal button and loop, white linen drawstring lining, sizing cord. (Appendix B: Uniform Description, and Appendix C: Deserter Descriptions).
10. Coat: Short hunting shirt of brown linen, red collar & cuffs, unfringed, no cape, pullover style. Sergeants' cuffs white, musicians' dark. Officers' shirts fringed red. Plain pewter buttons at cuffs and neck. Length is 9 inches from floor on a kneeling man. May be worn belted. (Appendices B and C.)
11. Waistcoat: Apparently none issued, therefore civilian .
12. Footwear: None known to have been issued. Shoes, moccasins or boots as appropriate to class or place of origin of soldier.
13. Legwear: None known to have been issued. Civilian breeches of leather or fabric mentioned in deserter descriptions. (See Appendix C.)
4th VA Convention specified that leggins were to be issued, but deserter descriptions support only two pair, one "new" and one "blue" (Appendices C and D: 4th VA Convention).
14. Stockings: None known to have been issued, therefore civilian.
15. Shirt: None described. Civilian assumed. Stock/Cravat: Black stock (Appendix B and Elting, Military, p. 91, illustration) or black civilian neckerchief.
16. Capote Or Cloak: No issue mentioned.
17. Bags And Such: None specified therefore civilian haversacks, blanket rolls, packs.
18. Cartridge Boxes, Etc.: State issued cartouche pouches or hunting bags converted to cartouche pouches (Appendix D). Riflemen carry personal shooting bags and horns. Our 6th has chosen to adopt the style of cartridge box presented in Klinger's Sketch Book 76, p. 32, from the George Neumann collection at Valley Forge Historical Society Museum, as its issue cartouche pouch It is a soft, dark brown leather pouch, undecorated, with a linen strap, no buckle, and holds a drilled wood block. (See also Katcher, Uniforms, p. 124, Fig. 93.)
March 18, 1776 - Williamsburg- "Officers of Companies are immediately to make return to the Commanding Officers of the number of Men in their Company who are furnished with Cartouch Boxes, Powder Horns and Shot Pouches, also the number who are not provided..." (1st Entry, Orderly Book, p. B)
19. Canteen: Round wood painted red and marked "VI" on a linen strap; otherwise civilian.
Canteens were to be issued by the state (Appendix D), though no description of an issued canteen exists to our knowledge. Our 6th has chosen painted wooden canteens to represent this item. Painted canteens of the period exist (Examples: Moore, Weapons, p. 203, item A-65; Klinger, Sketch Book, p. 46 from the William Brown collection; Grant, p. 183). Ours is painted red, our facing color, and marked "VI", a common form of regimental marking with British units (Examples: bayonet marked "XV", Ralph Briggs collection; Mollo, Uniforms, flag illustrations nos. 215-219; Neumann, Collector's, p. 55, button marked "XX").
20. Bayonet/Sidearm Carriage: No documentation is known to us describing carriages of any sort for the 6th, however, state issued bayonets would likely have been issued with some form of sheath. Because hunting shirts are usually belted, our 6th has chosen a sheath with a belt loop as issue, styled after an example in the Neumann collection, ASI Neumann, Collector's, p. 37, item 13.
21. Sidearm: Swords for officers and NCO's (Appendix E: Officers' Arms). Bayonets to fit muskets when available. Riflemen carry tomahawks appropriate to frontiersmen. (Appendix D) Optional appropriate personal knives.
22. Firearms: Long and Short Land Infantry muskets, trade muskets, civilian fowlers, Pennsylvania/Virginia rifles. Officers to carry fusils on parade. Long Land may be reconditioned or modernized. (See Appendices A, E,)
23. Rank Distinctions: Officers wear red fringe on hunting shirt, sergeants have white cuffs (Appendix B). Officers carry swords and fusils (Appendix E). Captains wear white or buff cockades, subalterns wear green cockades. NCO's wear epaulettes on right shoulder, red for sergeants, green for corporals, as per General Orders, Cambridge, July 23, 1775, and August 15, 1776. (The Writings of George Washington, John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., V. III, p. 357 and V. IV, pp. 437 and 468, as cited by Peterson, Soldier, p. 242, illustration p. 243)
24. Musician Distinction: Dark cuffs. (Appendix B.)
25. Pioneer Distinctions: None documented.
APPENDIX A: HISTORY AND MOVEMENTS
The 6th and other regiments were assembled and trained in the vicinity of Williamsburg, VA, early 1776. (Orderly Book, pp. ix & x)
July 8-10, 1776 - Andrew Lewis, VA commander, leads various Virginia forces against Lord Dunmore and several ships including the Dunmore, Roebuck, Otter, Fowey and some small vessels, driving him finally from Virginia (Williams, Patriots, pp. 92-94).
October 10, 1776, Leesburg, Virginia - "The 6th Regt. of Virginians are camped here on their way to the Northward. A set of dirty, ragged people, badly clothed, badly disciplined and badly armed." (Cresswell, Journal,p. 163)
December 22, 1776 - The 6th VA lists a grand total of 249 (Wright, Army, p. 96, General Return, Main Army) and is attached to Stephen's Brigade with Elliot's 4th VA and Scott's 5th VA Regiments. Their location is listed as the "Banks of the Delaware, PA." (Lesser, Sinews, p. 43)
December 26, 1776 - Battle of Trenton. Greene's Division includes brigades of Sterling, Mercer, and Stephen, as well as artillery of Hamilton, Forrest and Bauman. The Main Army of about 2400 under Washington surprises Colonel Rall's Hessian garrison of about 1500, and in about one hour captures about 1000 men and six 3-pounder bronze guns. (Johnson, Battles, p. 54)
Stephen's Brigade guards troop landing after crossing Delaware (Williams, Patriots, p. 95). 8 a.m. "Some of General Stephen's men rushed forward and captured two (Hessian pickets)" (Scheer, Rebels, p. 241, from "Diary of Officer on Washington's Staff", Stryker, Battles of Trenton and Princeton, pp. 361-64). 6th enters Trenton with Gen'l Washington from the North at junction of King and Queen streets (Carrington, p. 278*, Map of Trenton), then moves east into an orchard where they help capture the fusilier regiment of von Lossberg and the grenadier regiment of von Rall (Beale, Southern Magazine). Also captured were part of the fusilier regiment of von Knyphausen and about 50 jaegers (Johnson, Battles, p. 54).
January 3, 1777 - Battle of Princeton. The 4th, 5th and 6th under Scott are on the right with Sullivan, and watch as Mawhood's 17th regiment tear up Mercer on their left. Scott's Brigade of 250 push through towards Princeton, capturing about 25 of the 40th and 55th regiments, bringing the total prisoners to about 300. (Beale, Southern Magazine)
May 22, 1777, the 2nd, 6th, 10th and 14th form Weedon's 2nd Virginia Brigade (Wright, Army, pp. 112 & 287).
On July 6, 1777, Patterson's 3rd Company was combined with Cabell's 7th Company and subsequently detached to Morgan's Rifle Regiment, with whom they engaged and defeated Burgoyne at Sarasota (Stillwater) October 17, 1777 (Sweeney, Amherst, p. 19, Payroll of Capt. Cabell's Co.; Whitley, Buckingham, pp. 59, 68, 70).
Weedon's Brigade saw heavy action at Brandywine against Cornwallis. Weedon's was with Greene at Germantown (Ketchum, p. 215, map). The 6th was at Fort Mifflin when it fell November 15, 1777 (Reed, p. 333). It was absorbed into the 2nd Virginia Regiment during a general reorganization of Virginia forces at White Plains, New York, September 14, 1778. What had been the 10th Virginia Regiment became the new 6th. (Sanchez-Saavedra, Guide, p. 50)
APPENDIX B: UNIFORM DESCRIPTION
HEADQUARTERS, 6TH VIRGINIA REGT., April, 1776. "The Captains of the 6th Battalion, together with the other Officers, are immediately to provide themselves with Hunting Shirts, short and fringed, the men's shirts to be short and plain; the Sergeants' shirts to have a small white Cuffs and plain; the Drummers' shirts to be with dark Cuffs. Both Officers and Soldiers to have Hatts cut round and bound with black; the Brims of their Hatts to be two inches deep and cocked on one side, with a Button and Loop and Cockades, which is to be worn on the left. Neither man nor Officers to do duty in any other uniform. The Officers and Soldiers are to ware their Hair short and as near a like as possible."
By Order Of Mordecai Buckner, Colonel, Commanding
APPENDIX C: DESERTER DESCRIPTIONS
Four deserters were reported in Purdie's VA. GAZETTE 10 May 1776. One wore a hunting shirt dyed black, blue duffel (wool) coat, blue leggings and new shoes. The second wore a black and white mixed Virginia cloth coat and waistcoat and new hat and shoes. The third, a copper striped coat and waistcoat of Virginia cloth and new leggings. The last, a light colored Kersey coat and leather breeches. Two deserters were described in the postscript of Purdie's VA GAZETTE 10 May 1776. One wore a new suit of gray broadcloth, an old hunting shirt trimmed with red and leather breeches. The other wore a hunting shirt trimmed with red, leather breeches and had a jacket and breeches made of light colored sagathy. On 18 October 1776 two more deserters were listed in the same newspaper, one in a snuff colored coat and waistcoat with a silver button and loop to his hat. The other wore a dark colored hunting shirt, striped Virginia coat and waistcoat under it and Russia drab breeches.
Three deserters, all wearing hunting shirts trimmed with red, two in leather breeches and one in a gray broadcloth waistcoat and black stockings, were listed in the same newspaper's 8 November 1776 issue.
June-July 1776 - "Deserted from my company of the 6th regiment of continental regulars, two soldiers, viz. JOHN PHILLIPS... carried off with him ... a gun belonging to the country. JOSIAH CREW... wears his own light hair tied behind.
NICHOLAS HOBSON" (The Virginia Gazette)
"Deep Springs Camp, Sept. 17, 1776. Deserted last night from my company of riflemen, the following soldiers, viz, JOSIAH JONES... carried away with him a hunting shirt trimmed with red, a pair of leather breeches, several new shirts, and other things which I cannot recollect at present. DAVID BARNETT... carried with him a hunting shirt trimmed with red, a pair of leather breeches, a pair of new shoes, and several yards of linen, which I had delivered to him about two days before he deserted. JOSEPH CANTERBURY... carried along with him a hunting shirt trimmed with red, a gray coloured broadcloth waist coat and breeches, a pair of black stockings, two pair of shoes, and several yards of linen, which I delivered to him a few days before he deserted. They... were raised and enlisted in Amherst, where I expect they will endevour to get.
SAMUEL JORDAN CABELL, captain in the 6th Virginia regiment."
APPENDIX D: FOURTH VIRGINIA CONVENTION
December 1, 1775 - Possibly January 11, 1776 - Fourth VA convention at Williamsburg orders raising five additional regiments of 10 companies (7 musket and 3 rifle), the 3rd though the 7th and the 9th, plus the 8th (German) regiment of 7 companies, all to serve to April 10, 1778. They are to be provided with 1 good musket and bayonet, a cartouch box, or pouch, and canteen. Until then, troops are to bring "the best gun of any sort that they can procure" and one blanket. Riflemen are to bring one good rifle and tomahawk, subject to their captain's approval. They are to be allowed 20 shillings for a personal gun. In addition they are to be provided at public expense a hunting shirt, a pair of leggins and binding for their hat, which would be deducted from their pay. Tents are specified for each commissioned and staff officer, for every 4 cadets, 2 sergeants, and 6 privates, plus one bell of arms per company. Wagons are approved for transporting equipment. The western Chesapeake Bay area is divided into four sections divided by the James, York and Rappahanock Rivers, to be protected by 2 regiments each. (Wright, Army, p. 70; Statutes, pp. 81-84)
APPENDIX E: OFFICERS' ARMS
March 21, 1776 - Williamsburg- G.O.- "Observing that some officers appear on Parade without their Fuzees; it is expected no such neglect will happen in the future. R.O. The Officers of the Regiment will always appear on parade in their uniform and Fuzees; this ceremony must not be dispensed with." (Orderly Book, p. 3)
May 8, 1776. "R. O. Those Gentlemen officers who has no swords are to procure them immediately, and not appear on the parade without them and when their men are going to exercise, the officers are to take their Fuzees in their hand." (Orderly Book, p. 35)
Beale, Robert, "Revolutionary Service of a Virginia Soldier", Southern Magazine, V. XVII, Nov. 1875. Beale was a major in the 5th VA Rgt.
Carrington, Henry B., Battles of the American Revolution, 1775-1781, Promontory Press, NY
Cresswell, Nicholas, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, 1774-1777, Lincoln Mac Veagh, ed., Dial Press, 1924
Elting, John R., ed, Military Uniforms in America, The Era of the American Revolution, 1755-1785, from The Company of Military Historians, Presidio Press, 1974. "6th Virginia Regiment, Continental Line, 1776", by H. Charles McBarron, Jr.
Grant, Madison, The Kentucky Rifle Hunting Pouch, Its Contents and Accoutrements..., Madison Grant, 1977
Henrig, William Waller, ed., The Statutes at Large, being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia from the 1st Session of the Legislature in the year 1619, Richmond, 1821
Hofstadter, Miller, Aaron and Jordan, The United States, Conquering a Continent, 4th edition, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1976
Johnson, Curt, Battles of the American Revolution, Bonanza Books, NY, 1984
Katcher, Philip, Uniforms of the Continental Army, George Shumway Publishing, 1981
Ketchum, Richard M., ed., The American Heritage History of the American Revolution, Bonanza Books, NY, 1984
Klinger, Robert L., Sketch Book 76, Pioneer Press, Union City, TN, 1967
Lesser, Charles H., ed.,The Sinews of Independence- Monthly Strength Reports of the Continental Army
Mollo, John, Uniforms of the American Revolution in color, MacMillan Publ., NY, 1975. Illustrations by Malcolm McGregor
Moore, Warren, Weapons of the American Revolution and Accoutrements, Promontory Press, NY, 1967
Neumann, George C. and Kravic, Frank J., Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, Rebel Publishing, Texarkana, TX, 1975
The Orderly Book of That Portion of the American Army stationed at or Near Williamsburg, Va., Under the Command of General Andrew Lewis, Charles Campbell, ed, Richmond, 1860, pp 13-14.
Peterson, Harold L., The Book of the Continental Soldier, Stackpole, Harrisburg, PA, 1968
Reed, John F., Campaign to Valley Forge, Pioneer Press, 1980
Sanchez-Saavedra, E. M., A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations in the American Revolution, 1774-1787, Richmond, Virginia State Library, 1978 Scheer, George F. & Rankin, Hugh F., Rebels and Redcoats, Mentor Books, 1957
Sweeney, Lenora H., Amherst County, Virginia, in the Revolution, Bell Company, 1951. Includes pension applications for 7th (rifle) company.
Whitley, Edythe Rucker, Geneological Records of Buckingham County, Virginia, Geneological Publ. Co., Baltimore, 1984. Pension applications of James Crews, William Moore, others.
Willaims, Howard McKnight, Great Valley Patriots, McClure Press, Verona, VA, 1976
Wright, Robert K., Jr., The Continental Army, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, DC, 1983