In November of 1776, the Thirteenth Regiment of Foot of the Virginia Continental Line [5] was organized under Colonel William Russell. The l3th was also known as "The West Augusta Volunteers". Benjamin Harrison was commissioned a captain in the l3th on Dec. 16, 1776. [6] In the spring of 1777 five companies of the l3th were sent to join Washington's army in New Jersey. The l3th Virginia became part of Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg's brigade of Major General Nathaniel Greene's division. In September of 1777, Captain Benjamin Harrison was present at the battle of Brandywine Creek [7] near Philadelphia. In October, 1777, Captain Harrison participated in a major attack on General William Howe's British army at Germantown, Pa. [7] During the winter of 1777-1778, the l3th Virginia was with George Washington at Valley Forge. Captain Harrison and his company, however, were more fortunate. Harrison had been assigned to Brigadier General Edward Hand, Commander of the Western Department with headquarters at Pittsburgh.

In the Spring of 1778 the Continental Congress approved a plan to capture British held Detroit in order to relieve British instigated Indian depredations on the western frontier. [8] The 8th Pennsylvania and the l3th Virginia were selected to carry out this campaign. This detachment was to be commanded by Colonel John Gibson, new commander of the l3th. He had been selected by Washington because he was familiar with Indian warfare. The main body of the l3th was sent to Pittsburgh, supplies were accumulated, and plans were developed. The supplies were slow in arriving and the summer came and went. In the autumn, the plan was scaled down. Instead of moving swiftly from Pittsburgh for a surprise attack on Detroit, a fort was to be established in eastern Ohio. Such a fort might discourage Indian raids in western Pennsylvania, or even swing Indian support from the British to the Americans. Also, Detroit could be attacked more easily from an advanced post. During this period of preparation, the l3th Virginia regiment was redesignated as the 9th Virginia.

13th VIRGINIA REGIMENT (West Augusta Regiment)

LINEAGE

[Wright, Continental Army, p. 291]

Authorized 16 September 1776 in the Continental Army as the 13th Virginia Regiment

Assigned 27 December 1776 to the Main Army

Organized 12 February 1777 at Fort Pitt to consist of nine companies from Yohogania, Monongalia, and Ohio Counties (comprising the former West Augusta District)

Assigned 22 May 1777 to the 1st Virginia Brigade, an element of the Main Army

Reorganized 1 November 1777 to consist of eight companies

Relieved 24 May 1778 from the 1st Virginia Brigade and assigned to the Western Department

Reorganized and redesignated 12 May 1779 as the 9th Virginia Regiment, to consist of nine companies

Reorganized and redesignated 1 January 1781 as the 7th Virginia Regiment, to consist of two companies

Disbanded 1 January 1783 at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania

ENGAGEMENTS

[Wright, Continental Army, p. 291]

Northern New Jersey

Defense of Philadelphia

Philadelphia-Monmouth