Re: 3rd Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line
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In reply to:
3rd Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line
Mary Wilson 7/26/04
My GGGGrandfather (Philip A. Conner)enlisted in the 3rd VA and fought with it in several engagements over a 6 year period.As general information, I am pasting several of my family history notes that might help you some:
For example he:
Enlisted late 1775 at Hampton, Elizabeth City County, VA asPrivate in Capt. Charles West's Co. (Col.Thomas Marshall) for two yrs as part of Prince William Battalion.
West's Company was not from the immediate area, rather from Fauquier and other counties in the northern Piedmont area and Shenandoah area of Virginia. However, in late 1775 the unit was in the Hampton/Norfolk area and Philip probably joined up as it was passing through, to or from, their earliest skirmish which was at the Battle of the Great Bridge and in the Norfolk /Hampton area in 1775-6."
Additionally:
"Shown promoted to Corporal April, 1778 and Sergeant June, 1778; then transferred in Nov. 1778 to Captain Robert Powell's Company, same Regiment, and then in May, 1779, transferred again to Captain William Bentley's Company, commanded by Colonel John Nevil. He is then shown as a Sergeant in Captain Abraham Kirkpatrick's Company of the 2nd VA Brigade."
One of the confusing things about the 3rd is that over time it was melded into other Regiments, ie. the 2nd VA and then perhaps into another as my ancestor's record shows.
For example:
"On Sept. 14, 1778, 3rd and 7thtemporarily merged, later 3rd merged with 4th regiment. Served under Col. Thomas Marshall, father of Lt. John Marshall, later US Chief Justice." Or, "Served as a private in Captain Charles West's Company, also known as Captain Ruben Briscoes Company, 3rd Virginia Regiment, commanded by Col. Thomas Marshall." Or, "was transferred November 1778 to Captain Robert Powell's Company, same regiment, and was transferred to Captain William Bentley's Company, commanded by Colonel John Nevin in May, 1779."
Reenlisted at White Marsh PA, (site of a significant battle) presumably for $20, a uniform, and a promise of 100 acres for a three year enlistment.In May, 1779, remains of 3rd. consolidated with the 2nd, and designated 2nd VA, sent to Charleston as part of Gen. Wm. Woodford's brigade which was captured and held to end of war." Also: "Philip may have served under Capt. Briscoe, of Col. Weeden of the 3rd. VA Regiment" Colonel Weeden was a fairly prominent Virginian prior to the War.
So, as you can see the 3rd. VA was involved in many battles, but there were a lot of commanders of various component units at different times, and depending on whether the regiment was merged temporarily with another. I'm not sure if any of this might be of use to you, but I hope so.
Richard Conner in Las Vegas
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Re: 3rd Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line
Mary Wilson 8/22/04