Uniform of the First Virginia Regiment

When the First Virginia was raised in 1775, officers of each company were authorized to procure uniforms for their men. From records of the military supply in Williamsburg it appears that uniforms varied among the eight original companies, perhaps due to the individual whims of the company officers, or perhaps due to the amount of material available. Some companies appear to have received blue wool to make uniform coats of the typical military style of the period. Other company officers obtained heavy "oznaburg" linen fabric for pullover style "hunting shirts." At least two companies added strips of red fabric to the cuffs and collars of their hunting shirts. Soldiers of the First Virginia, as well as those in other Virginia units, are frequently referred to as "Patrick Henry's shirtmen" in period documents because of this distinctive uniform.

During this period blue wool was issued to each man for "gaiters" to cover the legs from above the knee to the tops of the shoes. Soldiers were also issued "round" hats of black wool, with narrow brims turned up on the left side. Little is known about the rest of the uniform, but the men would have also worn breeches or trousers, a shirt and a vest. In many cases these items were probably brought from home.

Officers were expected to adopt the uniform of the men in their company, adding fringe to the edges of their hunting shirts as a distinction of rank. In fact, some officers probably preferred to wear the more typical military style coats instead of the plainer hunting shirt.

As the war continued and uniforms wore out, Virginia, like all the colonies, had trouble keeping it's soldiers properly clothed and outfitted. Apparently the men of the First Virginia received uniforms in a variety of styles as the war progressed. In 1777 uniforms made in France were issued to the Continental Army. Some regiments received blue coats, and others, including Virginia's regiments received brown coats with red facings (lapel, cuffs and collar). Other uniform items were probably issued as whatever limited supply became available.

In 1778, in an effort to bring some semblance of uniformity to the Continental Army, Washington established regulations for the uniforms of the various Regiments. All troops were to have blue wool coats, with facing colors varying, depending on the region of a regiment's home state. Virginia regiments, as part of the Mid-Atlantic States, were to have red facings. Washington's regulations went on to stipulate that hats were to be of the typical British "cocked" style with white binding and overalls (long trousers that fit the leg snugly) were to be worn in place of breeches and gaiters. Regardless of these regulations, it's unlikely that Virginia's soldiers received these uniforms in enough quantity to fill the need. Soldiers would have continued to wear clothing they brought from home when uniform items were not available.

The enlisted men of the Regiment's original six musket companies would probably have been issued English "Brown Bess" muskets from captured supplies. Later, older model French muskets were supplied to the Continental Army by America's French allies. The men of the Regiment's two rifle companies would have supplied their own weapons.

Accoutrements of the musket men would have included a leather cartridge box, bayonet and bayonet sling, a haversack for food, and a knapsack or blanket roll to carry additional personal items. Other items a soldier might carry include a canteen of wood or tin, a tomahawk, and a knife.

Riflemen would have carried a bag for ammunition, a horn containing gunpowder, and perhaps a tomahawk or knife.