The loss of the Charleston garrison was a severe blow, probably the heaviest
the American side would suffer during the entire war. More than 5,000
Continental soldiers, militia, and private citizens were officially
surrendered to the British. In his official returns, General Benjamin
Lincoln counted about 2,200 Continentals (about 500 sick and wounded
included) and about 500 reliable militia. Also captured were 391 pieces of
artillery, 6,000 muskets, 33,000 rounds of ammunition, and 3 frigates.
[David B. Mattern, Benjamin Lincoln and the American Revolution. Columbia,
S.C.: University of South Carolina Press, 1995.]

Another source has 5,500 defenders of the city, 2,500 of which were
militiamen of questionable quality. 5,466 armed men were captured, 391
artillery pieces, 5,916 muskets, 33,000 rounds of small arms ammunition,
over 8,000 round shot and 376 barrels of powder. [Dan L. Morrill, Southern
Campaingns of the American Revolution. Mount Pleasant, S.C.: The Nautical &
Aviation Publishing Company, 1993.]

The movement of Virginia troops to Charleston can be found in M. Lee Minnis,
The First Virginia Regiment of Foot. Westminster, Md.: Willow Bend Books,
1998. On 8 March Woodfords force at Petersburg departed with 737 men fit for
duty. The force was divided into three detachments: Col. William Russell
leading the 1st Regiment and Cols. Gist and John Neville. (This 1st Regiment
was a consolidation of the 1st, 5th, 7th, 10th and 11th). Woodford arrived
in Charleston on 7 April. A Hessian in his diary wrote that General Woodford
arrived in Charleston with 700 men. Col. Parker of the First was kille in a
British barrage on 24 April at Half-Moon Battery. Col. Parker's First
Virginia Detachemnt of Scott's Brigade and Col. William Heth's Second
Detachment of Scott's Brigade were responsible for defending this area.

Minnis reports that 5,500 Continentals and milita were captured. Of these
336 were from the First Virginia. Of the 274 Officers at Haddrell's Point
awaiting exchange, 115 were Virginians.

Based on E. M. Sanchez-Saavedra. A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations
in the American Revolution, 1774-1787. 1978, reprinted Westminster, Md.:
Willow Bend Books, 2001:

1st Virginia Regiment (a consolidation of the 1st, 5th, 7th, 10th, 11th)
assigned to Woodford's brigade - surrendered.

2nd Virginia Regiment (a consolidation of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th) assigned to
Woodford's brigade - surrendered, except for a handful of men under Captain
Alexander Parker who returned to Virginia. Captains Thomas Catlett and John
Stokes were with Buford.

3rd - consolidated with the 2nd and surrendered.

4th - consolidated with the 2nd and surrendered.

5th - consolidated with the 1st and surrendered. Captain Adam Wallace was on
detached service with Buford.

6th - had earlier been consolidated with the 3rd what was consolidated with
the 2nd - surrendered.

7th - consolidated with the 1st - surrendered.

8th - not at Charleston. Sent to the Carolinas as a part of the temporary
3rd Regiment.

9th - not at Charleston. Served west of the Alleghenies.

10th - consolidated with the 1st - surrendered.

11th - consolidated with the 1st - surrendered, except for Buford's
Detachment.

12th - renumbered the 8th in 1778, not in existence in 1780

13th - renumbered the 9th in 1778, not at Charleston.

14th - renumbered the 10th in 1778

15th - renumbered the 11th in 1778.

Col. Nathaniel Gist's Additional - surrendered at Charleston

Col. Thomas Gaskins Detachment - made up of  some of those who escaped
capture at Charleston

1st Regiment of Continental Artillery (Harrison's) - a large number captured
at Charleston.

1st Regiment of Continental Dragoons - most escaped capture.

3rd Regiment of Continental Dragoons - Captain William Barrett, a native of
N.C. was captured.

1st Virginia State Line - not at Charleston.

Lt. Col. Charles Porterfied's State Detachment - arrived after the fall of
Charleston, escaped capture and joined Gates army.

Virginia State Artillery Regiment. - all but one company captured which
joined Porterfield.

Major John Nelson's Regiment of Virginia State Cavalry - arrived late,
joined Porterfield.

In a lot fewer words, if you were a Virginian Continental in the service in
1780 you were more than likely captured at Charleston, and if you missed
that you probably died at Waxhaws with Buford or at Camden with Porterfield.


- Gen Danl Morgan coming out of retirement to lead continental troops at
Cowpens.

There were not just Continentals at Cowpens. The militia began the day.

Captain Francis Triplett, raised Fauquier
Captain James Winn, raised Fauquier
Captain James Gilmore, raised Rockbridge
Captain Robert Craven, raised Rockingham
as were two rifle companies under:
Col. Charles Lynch
Col. William Campbell

C.


Craig R. Scott, CGRS
Willow Bend Books
65 East Main Street
Westminster, MD 21157-5026

www.WillowBendBooks.com
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