Thruston's Additional Continental Regiment was an American infantry unit that served for a little more than two years in the Continental Army during the

American Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was a major war of the American Revolution. Widely considered as the war that secured the independence of ...

. Authorized in March 1777, four companies were organized in Virginia during the spring and summer of 1777. George Washington appointed influential

Shenandoah Valley The Shenandoah Valley () is a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The valley is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of the Rid ...

political leader

Charles Mynn Thruston Charles Mynn Thruston (February 22, 1798 – February 18, 1873) was a career U.S. Army officer who retired to Maryland where he became a farmer and politician, then returned to service as a brigadier general in the Union Army during the Ameri ...

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...

in command. The regiment participated in the

Philadelphia Campaign The Philadelphia campaign (1777–1778) was a British effort in the American Revolutionary War to gain control of Philadelphia, which was then the seat of the Second Continental Congress. British General William Howe, after failing to draw ...

in late 1777. One company was detached from the regiment on 4 April 1778 and became part of Hartley's Additional Continental Regiment. The unit was present in the Monmouth Campaign in June 1778. What was left of the regiment was attached to Grayson's Additional Continental Regiment on 15 November 1778. Grayson's and Thruston's Regiments were absorbed by Gist's Additional Continental Regiment on 22 April 1779 and Thruston's Regiment ceased to exist.

History

On 28 March 1777, George Washington wrote a letter to

George Weedon George Weedon (1734–1793) was an American soldier during the Revolutionary War from Fredericksburg, Colony of Virginia. He served as a brigadier general in the Continental Army and later in the Virginia militia. After the Revolutionary War ...

. The following part concerns Thruston's Regiment.

I have therefore made Captain Washington, Major of Moylan's light Dragoons, and Captt. Thornton Major of a Regiment to be raised by Colo. Thruston in Virginia, with the chance of being Lieutt. Colonel of it, if Angus McDonald refuses that offer. This appointment must, I should think, be more agreeable to Thornton, than to be thrown into an Eastern Regiment, provided it could be raised, of which there is little prospect, as the Massachusetts have added a large additional Bounty to that allowed by Congress, which puts a total stop, Henly writes me, to his inlisting a Man. Thornton is authorised to facilitate the recruiting of Thruston's Regiment, and will, I hope, exert himself to the utmost, in getting it completed, especially as Thruston's wound will render it impossible for him to take an active part for some time to come, and McDonald's acceptance of the Lieutt. Colonelcy much doubted here.Washington Writings, ''George Weedon: 27 March 1777''

Service record

References

;Bibliography * * * * * * *

External links

History.Army.mil: ''Additional Regiments'' Bibliography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thruston's Additional Continental Regiment Military units and formations of the Continental Army Virginia regiments of the Continental Army Military units and formations established in 1777 Military units and formations disestablished in 1779