Of the Continental Line
Activities and Organization
The Seventh Virginia -- Its Activities and Philosophy
The Seventh Virginia attempts to portray a typical Continental Line regiment in camp and in battle. It is our goal to have fun and learn more about the lives of Revolutionary War soldiers and their families. In addition, we want to share our passion for history with each other and the public.The regiment participates in a broad spectrum of activities and events. Some events, involving over a thousand soldiers and their families, and include extensive battles with much cannon and musketry fire. Other events are small, and consist only of our regiment setting up a camp and educating the public through drill and volley, cooking, medical, crafts and other demonstrations common to camp life. Sometimes we set up camp in famous historic sites such as Williamsburg; at other times we attend battles on land chosen by organizers for its terrain and convenience.There is no minimum attendance requirement for event activities.
At our annual regimental meeting, usually held in January, the regiment votes on the events it will attend during the coming year. The yearly schedule is designed by the unit as a group, and an attempt is made to insure that everyone has a reason to want to attend events. RevWar reenacting is a hobby, not a job. Nevertheless, the Seventh Virginia maintains a high level of authenticity and professionalism. We try to ensure that our camp equipment and uniforms match the originals as much as is historically (and financially) possible. This attitude not only pushes us to become better historians, but it builds unit pride -- since units within the hobby compare themselves with each other. Likewise, it provides the public with a genuine educational experience.
As mentioned, the unit includes families, since RevWar soldiers were often accompanied by their wives and children. Women in the unit portray wives, cooks, nurses and sutlers. They are also welcome to portray soldiers (the regiment asks, however, in the interest of authenticity, that they hide their feminine charms as much as possible). Likewise, more individualistic "impressions" such as surgeon, musician, or visiting civilian are welcomed. Overall, we are very much oriented toward creating a unit that welcomes newcomers and strives for an authentic presentation while maintaining a sense of fun and passion for history. Like so many things in life, how much an individual gets out of the hobby is up to them. We will not badger you to attend events. If you do attend, however, the regiment asks that you help us maintain our standards of authenticity and fellowship.
Organization: The regiment includes line, light infantry, rifle, and artillery companies. Depending on the event, the regiment even offers the opportunity for willing members to perform an alternate British impression. The 14th Regiment of Foote, the British unit that participated in the Battle of Great Bridge in December of 1775, is recreated by several members of the unit as the event allows and with the permission of the captain.The regiment's officers include a Captain, a Line company Lieutenant and Sergeant, a Light infantry company Lieutenant and Sergeant, a Rifle company Lieutenant and Sergeant, and a head of Campfollowers with an assistant. Anyone who regularly attends events and shows a commitment to the regiment's well being is eligible to be elected to one of these positions.
Uniform and Equipment Requirements: One of our objectives is to get you into camp or on the battlefield as soon as possible. A big part of this is helping you acquire the necessary clothing and equipment to fit into an 18th century environment. Contained in our Soldier's Manual, which you will have access to when you join, are the handbooks for each individual impression. Included in the handbooks are the clothing and equipment requirements for each of our impressions. The regiment has some loaner gear and weapons to help you transition into the hobby. Unfortunately, coordinating loaner clothing is much more difficult so we ask that you obtain a set of small clothes (shirt, breaches, waistcoat, stockings or for the ladies a shift, petticoat, stockings, short gown) as well as appropriate shoes and a hat whenever you turn out with the unit. We also ask that new members make an effort to be fully "kitted out" with all the necessary clothing and gear plus a wedge tent and weapon, within a year of joining the unit. A list of reputable 18th century merchants is included in our Soldier's Manual to assist you in this process. If you enjoy sewing you may want to make your clothing. Patterns are available from some of the listed merchants.
We portray the Seventh Virginia as it existed throughout several reorganizations of the Continental Army. We focus on two basic impressions; Early war and Late war. For our early war impression, which also doubles as our generic militia impression, a natural or black linen hunting shirt is worn over our small clothes. This look is actually appropriate for almost every event we participate in so unit members are urged to obtain a linen hunting shirt before a regimental coat. A blue wool regimental coat, faced with red collars, cuff, and lapels, is another impression the unit uses, particularly at Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown. However, if you have to choose between a hunting shirt and a regimental coat, we urge you to choose the linen hunting shirt.
Levels of Participation: There are three levels of participation in the 7th Virginia regiment to guide you on your path to full participation in the group. The first level is that of Levy. The levy is a member who has submitted his/her application for membership along with first year's dues. The levy's first priority is to begin the process of putting together the minimal acceptable kit to participate in events. It is recommended that a levy attend their first event as a non-outfitted visitor to the camp to meet unit members and officers.The second level is that of Recruit. The recruit can begin participation in unit activities as he/she has assembled a basic clothing kit. A recruit also is in the beginning stages of learning proper deportment in camp, and more importantly begins the process of learning the basic drill manual and black powder safety guidelines in preparation for eventual use of a musket in battle scenarios and living history demonstrations.The third and final level of advancement to full participation is that of Private. A private has assembled a complete soldier's kit, and exhibits his/her knowledge of the basic drill and black powder safety guidelines. A private is eligible to participate in demonstrations and battle reenactments once an officer has certified the private's proficiency in the military drill and blackpowder safety. It is quite possible that a new member may advance through all three levels of participation simultaneously if they can exhibit the requirements for all levels at one time.
All of these guidelines, and more, are listed in the Soldier's Manual, which you will be issued when you join the unit.
If you feel you can adhere to these stated organizational requirements and would like to join, Welcome!
The Seventh Virginia attempts to portray a typical Continental Line regiment in camp and in battle. It is our goal to have fun and learn more about the lives of Revolutionary War soldiers and their families. In addition, we want to share our passion for history with each other and the public.The regiment participates in a broad spectrum of activities and events. Some events, involving over a thousand soldiers and their families, and include extensive battles with much cannon and musketry fire. Other events are small, and consist only of our regiment setting up a camp and educating the public through drill and volley, cooking, medical, crafts and other demonstrations common to camp life. Sometimes we set up camp in famous historic sites such as Williamsburg; at other times we attend battles on land chosen by organizers for its terrain and convenience.There is no minimum attendance requirement for event activities.
At our annual regimental meeting, usually held in January, the regiment votes on the events it will attend during the coming year. The yearly schedule is designed by the unit as a group, and an attempt is made to insure that everyone has a reason to want to attend events. RevWar reenacting is a hobby, not a job. Nevertheless, the Seventh Virginia maintains a high level of authenticity and professionalism. We try to ensure that our camp equipment and uniforms match the originals as much as is historically (and financially) possible. This attitude not only pushes us to become better historians, but it builds unit pride -- since units within the hobby compare themselves with each other. Likewise, it provides the public with a genuine educational experience.
As mentioned, the unit includes families, since RevWar soldiers were often accompanied by their wives and children. Women in the unit portray wives, cooks, nurses and sutlers. They are also welcome to portray soldiers (the regiment asks, however, in the interest of authenticity, that they hide their feminine charms as much as possible). Likewise, more individualistic "impressions" such as surgeon, musician, or visiting civilian are welcomed. Overall, we are very much oriented toward creating a unit that welcomes newcomers and strives for an authentic presentation while maintaining a sense of fun and passion for history. Like so many things in life, how much an individual gets out of the hobby is up to them. We will not badger you to attend events. If you do attend, however, the regiment asks that you help us maintain our standards of authenticity and fellowship.
Organization: The regiment includes line, light infantry, rifle, and artillery companies. Depending on the event, the regiment even offers the opportunity for willing members to perform an alternate British impression. The 14th Regiment of Foote, the British unit that participated in the Battle of Great Bridge in December of 1775, is recreated by several members of the unit as the event allows and with the permission of the captain.The regiment's officers include a Captain, a Line company Lieutenant and Sergeant, a Light infantry company Lieutenant and Sergeant, a Rifle company Lieutenant and Sergeant, and a head of Campfollowers with an assistant. Anyone who regularly attends events and shows a commitment to the regiment's well being is eligible to be elected to one of these positions.
Uniform and Equipment Requirements: One of our objectives is to get you into camp or on the battlefield as soon as possible. A big part of this is helping you acquire the necessary clothing and equipment to fit into an 18th century environment. Contained in our Soldier's Manual, which you will have access to when you join, are the handbooks for each individual impression. Included in the handbooks are the clothing and equipment requirements for each of our impressions. The regiment has some loaner gear and weapons to help you transition into the hobby. Unfortunately, coordinating loaner clothing is much more difficult so we ask that you obtain a set of small clothes (shirt, breaches, waistcoat, stockings or for the ladies a shift, petticoat, stockings, short gown) as well as appropriate shoes and a hat whenever you turn out with the unit. We also ask that new members make an effort to be fully "kitted out" with all the necessary clothing and gear plus a wedge tent and weapon, within a year of joining the unit. A list of reputable 18th century merchants is included in our Soldier's Manual to assist you in this process. If you enjoy sewing you may want to make your clothing. Patterns are available from some of the listed merchants.
We portray the Seventh Virginia as it existed throughout several reorganizations of the Continental Army. We focus on two basic impressions; Early war and Late war. For our early war impression, which also doubles as our generic militia impression, a natural or black linen hunting shirt is worn over our small clothes. This look is actually appropriate for almost every event we participate in so unit members are urged to obtain a linen hunting shirt before a regimental coat. A blue wool regimental coat, faced with red collars, cuff, and lapels, is another impression the unit uses, particularly at Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown. However, if you have to choose between a hunting shirt and a regimental coat, we urge you to choose the linen hunting shirt.
Levels of Participation: There are three levels of participation in the 7th Virginia regiment to guide you on your path to full participation in the group. The first level is that of Levy. The levy is a member who has submitted his/her application for membership along with first year's dues. The levy's first priority is to begin the process of putting together the minimal acceptable kit to participate in events. It is recommended that a levy attend their first event as a non-outfitted visitor to the camp to meet unit members and officers.The second level is that of Recruit. The recruit can begin participation in unit activities as he/she has assembled a basic clothing kit. A recruit also is in the beginning stages of learning proper deportment in camp, and more importantly begins the process of learning the basic drill manual and black powder safety guidelines in preparation for eventual use of a musket in battle scenarios and living history demonstrations.The third and final level of advancement to full participation is that of Private. A private has assembled a complete soldier's kit, and exhibits his/her knowledge of the basic drill and black powder safety guidelines. A private is eligible to participate in demonstrations and battle reenactments once an officer has certified the private's proficiency in the military drill and blackpowder safety. It is quite possible that a new member may advance through all three levels of participation simultaneously if they can exhibit the requirements for all levels at one time.
All of these guidelines, and more, are listed in the Soldier's Manual, which you will be issued when you join the unit.
If you feel you can adhere to these stated organizational requirements and would like to join, Welcome!
