1781 - 1783

On February 12, 1781, a board of officers met at Chesterfield Court House, Virginia and created the First Virginia Regiment as a "paper" organization. With over 1,300 Virginia Continentals still held prisoner at Charleston, South Carolina, the reorganization was largely designed to establish relative seniority of the officers. The personnel who had managed to escape capture were formed into a temporary battalion under Lt. Col. Thomas Posey.

In May 1782, with most of the fighting over, another board of officers met and created new First and Second Regiments from new recruits and veterans. On January 1, 1783, the various Virginia troops still in service were consolidated into one large battalion, designated the First Virginia Regiment, and a small battalion of two companies, designated the Second. Most of Virginia's Continental's were mustered out of service in June 1783, with the final three companies of the first being discharged in July or August.

Sources:

The First Virginia Regiment of Foot, by M. Lee Minnis, 1990, Willow Bend Books.

A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations in the American Revolution, 1774 - 1787, by E.M. Sanchez-Saavedra, 1978, Virginia State Library