Movember 3
1741
Beverley's Mill Place (today Staunton), Virginia — The Augusta County Regiment was organized on this date. Men from this regiment would fight under Lieutenant Colonel George Washington during the French and Indian War (1755-1763); again under Washington during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783); and under General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson during the Civil War, where the regiment earned the nickname "Stonewall Brigade" it still carries today. Its descendant unit, the 116th Infantry, became part of the 29th Infantry Division in 1917 and saw heavy fighting with it in both world wars, including leading the assault wave on Omaha Beach on D-Day. In the War on Terror different battalions of the 116th Infantry, still part of the 29th Division, have served on missions ranging from guarding the perimeter (but not the prisoners) of Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to teaching soldier skills and combat tactics to the members of the newly organized Afghan army.
A large portion of army which fought in the 1781 Cowpen's Campaign was composed of Virginia militia, including many former Continental troops released from active duty but who volunteered to again serve on a part time basis. Shown is a soldier of Captain James Tate's Company from Augusta County. He is rolling cartridges, the bullet of the day, for use in his British-made "Brown Bess" musket. Consisting of blackpowder and a musket ball, these were usually made up ahead of battle by the men themselves. They were stored until needed in a cartridge box, sometimes made of tin like the one shown by his foot.
Pen and ink drawing by Robert Flory for the Virginia National Guard Historical Collection.
A large portion of army which fought in the 1781 Cowpen's Campaign was composed of Virginia militia, including many former Continental troops released from active duty but who volunteered to again serve on a part time basis. Shown is a soldier of Captain James Tate's Company from Augusta County. He is rolling cartridges, the bullet of the day, for use in his British-made "Brown Bess" musket. Consisting of blackpowder and a musket ball, these were usually made up ahead of battle by the men themselves. They were stored until needed in a cartridge box, sometimes made of tin like the one shown by his foot.
Pen and ink drawing by Robert Flory for the Virginia National Guard Historical Collection.
