History of the Virginia Light Horse

Added in 2024

In 2023, our unit voted to expand our historical impressions by portraying the Virginia Light Horse, an American Revolutionary-era cavalry troop. Several members have already participated in 18th-century events, bringing this new portrayal to life. We look forward to further opportunities to honor and share this chapter of American history through our continued involvement in living histories and Revolutionary War reenactments.

 

In May 1776, the Revolutionary Virginia Convention…

voted to direct Virginia’s delegates in Philadelphia to seek independence from Britain and establish a confederation of the colonies. Recognizing the need for military support, Governor Patrick Henry authorized Major Theodorick Bland to raise a volunteer battalion. Bland, who had previously participated in the expulsion of Royal Governor Dunmore, organized what became known as Bland's Light Horse.

Six months later, when General George Washington needed cavalry to counter the British, the Continental Congress requested that Virginia transfer Major Bland's Light Horse to the Continental Army. Although reluctant, Virginia acceded to the request, and on November 25, 1776, Bland's Virginia Light Horse became the 1st Regiment of the Continental Light Dragoons.

 

Bland had six cavalry troops. Each troop contained three officers, three corporals, a drummer, a trumpeter, and 29 privates. Three quartermasters provided logistic support for the group.

In March 1777, the 1st Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons and three other regiments were reorganized, per a table of organization previously submitted by Washington. The reorganized regimental headquarters consisted of a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, and a major. They were assisted by a staff comprised of an adjutant, chaplain, a quartermaster, a surgeon and mate, a paymaster, a riding master, a saddler, a trumpet major, and four unpaid supernumeraries (cadets undergoing training). The cadets were used as the colonel's messengers.

In 1777, the Continental Army had only 1120 dragoons, well under the 3,000 authorized by the Continental Congress. Except for officers, no other mounted troops served in the Continental Army. The British also had limited cavalry, fielding only their 16th Queen's Lancers and 17th Regiment of Dragoons.

The regiment was officially reorganized on 1 January 1781, with four mounted and two dismounted troops, and was redesignated as the 1st Legionary Corps. On 2 November 1782, the unit was consolidated with the 3rd Legionary Corps, maintaining five troops and the 1st Legionary Corps designation.

The regiment saw action at the Battle of Brandywine, the Battle of Germantown, and the Battle of Guilford Court House. It was disbanded on November 1, 1783, at Winchester, Virginia.

 

Virginia light cavalry at mount VERNON

BRITISH LIGHT DRAGOON AT MOUNT VERNON

The Continental Light Dragoons faced challenges in forming and employing their regiments. Recruiting proved difficult because troopers were required to provide their own horse. In the 1700s, relatively few citizens in the colonies owned horses due to the expense of feeding and maintaining them, which meant that recruits were generally those with financial means. As a result, although the Continental Congress authorized 3000 dragoons, that number was never reached.

Once formed, cavalry units performed a range of duties based on the European military doctrines of the time, which categorized cavalry into heavy and light roles. Heavy cavalry in Europe supported infantry and artillery, engaging in dismounted combat or executing mounted charges. Light cavalry specialized in reconnaissance, raiding, and pursuing retreating forces after battles. During the American Revolution, dragoons often blended these roles, adapting to the irregular and resource-constrained conditions of the colonies. Lacking a specific cavalry doctrine tailored to the terrain and tactics of the American Revolution, individual leaders employed their troops flexibly, drawing loosely on European principles while adjusting to the unique challenges of the war in America.