Thruston's Additional Continental Regiment

Thruston's Additional Continental Regiment was an American infantry formation raised in Virginia for service in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It was authorized in March 1777, at a time when Congress and the Continental Army were expanding the force through additional regiments organized outside the original state-line structure. The unit was associated with Charles Mynn Thruston, an influential political figure from Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, whom General George Washington appointed as its colonel. Recruiting and organization took place during the spring and summer of 1777. The regiment ultimately consisted of four companies, although the available historical record indicates that it did not reach the strength or institutional permanence of a fully established large regiment. Washington's correspondence shows that the army leadership was actively involved in finding officers and supporting recruitment. In a letter to George Weedon dated 28 March 1777, Washington discussed appointments connected with the proposed regiment, including the possible placement of officers to facilitate its formation. The correspondence also reflects the practical difficulties of recruiting during the war, including competition from enhanced enlistment bounties offered in other states and the effect of Thruston's wound on his ability to take an active field role during part of the organizing period. The regiment entered active service during the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777. This campaign included the Continental Army's operations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey against the British army after the British capture of Philadelphia. Thruston's regiment was present during the campaign, placing it within the Continental force that maneuvered, fought, and endured the difficult conditions associated with the campaign and the winter encampment period that followed. The surviving summary record does not provide a complete company-by-company service narrative, casualty return, or detailed order of battle for every engagement. On 4 April 1778, one of the regiment's companies was detached and transferred to Hartley's Additional Continental Regiment. This change reduced the already small formation and illustrates the Continental Army's practice of reallocating personnel and companies to maintain viable units. The remaining portion of Thruston's regiment participated in the Monmouth Campaign in June 1778, including the Continental Army's operations in New Jersey following the British evacuation of Philadelphia. The regiment's separate existence ended through a sequence of consolidations. On 15 November 1778, what remained of Thruston's unit was attached to Grayson's Additional Continental Regiment. On 22 April 1779, Grayson's and Thruston's regiments were absorbed into Gist's Additional Continental Regiment. Thruston's regiment therefore ceased to exist as an independent organization after serving for a little more than two years. It was not a commercial brand or continuing institution; its historical significance lies in its role as a temporary Continental Army regiment and in the wider administrative and operational history of the American Revolutionary War.

The regiment was authorized on 28 March 1777 as part of the Continental Army's wartime expansion. George Washington's correspondence with George Weedon discussed the planned organization and officer appointments, including efforts to secure personnel who could help recruit the regiment in Virginia. Washington identified Charles Mynn Thruston as the colonel designated to command the unit. Thruston was an influential Shenandoah Valley political leader, but a wound limited his ability to participate actively during part of the regiment's formation. Four companies were organized during the spring and summer of 1777. Recruitment was difficult because the Continental Army competed for enlisted men with other state and regional formations offering different bounty arrangements. The unit nevertheless entered service and took part in the Philadelphia Campaign later that year. Its participation placed it among the Continental forces operating in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey theater during the British advance on Philadelphia and the subsequent American response. The regiment underwent a significant personnel reorganization on 4 April 1778, when one of its companies was detached and incorporated into Hartley's Additional Continental Regiment. The surviving element continued in Continental service and was present during the Monmouth Campaign in June 1778. This campaign followed the British evacuation of Philadelphia and included the Continental Army's movement across New Jersey and the Battle of Monmouth Court House. The remaining part of Thruston's regiment was attached to Grayson's Additional Continental Regiment on 15 November 1778. This attachment preceded a final consolidation. On 22 April 1779, Grayson's and Thruston's regiments were absorbed by Gist's Additional Continental Regiment. After that reorganization, Thruston's Additional Continental Regiment no longer existed as a separate military unit. Its service lasted slightly more than two years and was characterized by temporary wartime organization, limited company strength, participation in two major campaigns, and eventual absorption into another Continental formation.

1. 1779Final consolidation

   On 22 April, Grayson's and Thruston's regiments were absorbed into Gist's Additional Continental Regiment, ending Thruston's regiment as an independent unit.

   Source
2. 1778Company transferred to Hartley's regiment

   On 4 April, one company was detached from Thruston's regiment and became part of Hartley's Additional Continental Regiment.

   Source
3. 1778Monmouth Campaign

   The regiment's remaining personnel served during the Monmouth Campaign in June.

   Source
4. 1778Attachment to Grayson's regiment

   On 15 November, the surviving portion of Thruston's regiment was attached to Grayson's Additional Continental Regiment.

   Source
5. 1777Authorization and organization

   The regiment was authorized in March 1777, and four companies were organized in Virginia during the spring and summer under the planned command of Colonel Charles Mynn Thruston.

   Source
6. 1777Philadelphia Campaign

   The regiment served with the Continental Army during the Philadelphia Campaign in the latter part of 1777.

   Source

A wartime infantry formation of the Continental Army, organized in Virginia as an additional regiment during the American Revolutionary War.

• 1778Monmouth Campaign

  New Jersey

  The remaining element of the regiment participated in the Continental Army's operations during the Monmouth Campaign after the British evacuation of Philadelphia.

  Outcome. The campaign included the Battle of Monmouth Court House and preserved the Continental Army's presence in the northern theater.

  Source
• 1777Philadelphia Campaign

  Pennsylvania and New Jersey theater

  Thruston's regiment served in the Continental Army during the campaign surrounding the British advance on Philadelphia and the subsequent American operations in the region.

  Outcome. The campaign resulted in the British occupation of Philadelphia, while the Continental Army remained in the field and continued the war effort.

  Source

• 1779Absorption into Gist's regimentStrategy

  The Continental Army consolidated the remnants of several additional regiments into more sustainable formations.

  What changed. On 22 April 1779, Thruston's and Grayson's regiments were absorbed by Gist's Additional Continental Regiment.

  Aftermath. Thruston's Additional Continental Regiment ceased to exist as a separate unit.

  Source
• 1778Transfer of one company to Hartley's regimentStrategy

  The small additional regiment was reorganized as the Continental Army adjusted its available personnel and attempted to maintain effective formations.

  What changed. One company was detached on 4 April 1778 and incorporated into Hartley's Additional Continental Regiment.

  Aftermath. The transfer reduced Thruston's remaining strength and preceded later attachment and consolidation with other additional regiments.

  Source
• 1778Attachment to Grayson's regimentStrategy

  Following the detachment of one company and the regiment's continued wartime service, the remaining personnel were administratively combined with another additional regiment.

  What changed. On 15 November 1778, what remained of Thruston's regiment was attached to Grayson's Additional Continental Regiment.

  Aftermath. The attachment ended the unit's effective independent organization and led to its final absorption in 1779.

  Source

1. Thruston's Additional Continental Regiment
2. The Continental Army