Virginia Militia Commanders at Yorktown

Unsung heroes of the Old Dominion



Historians have spilled plenty of ink on the leaders of the Continental Army and French forces at the 1781 Siege of Yorktown. But less is known about the top leadership of the Virginia militia forces who were also at that decisive engagement. Several--including Brigadier General George Weedon, Colonel James Innes and Lieutenant Colonel William Darke--were former Continental Army officers with extensive battlefield experience. Others--such as Colonel Sampson Mathews, Colonel John Page and Colonel Sir John Peyton--were prominent civic leaders who took to the field to defend their native state.

Using a wide array of sources and compelling images, Sean M. Heuvel explores the lives and service of the regimental and brigade-level Virginia militia commanders who served at Yorktown.