Culpeper Minutemen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Culpeper Minutemen |
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| Active |
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| Country |  Great Britain Confederate States of America United States Virginia |
| Allegiance | United States Confederate States of America Virginia |
| Branch | (Infantry) Virginia Militia
Virginia National Guard Virginia Defense Force |
| Type | Militia, army, National Guard, state defense force |
| Size | (250) American Revolutionary War ? Virginia Defense Force |
| Nickname(s) | The Old Bergaide |
| Engagements | American Revolutionary War
American Civil War Spanish–American War World War I |
| Disbanded | Merged into the Company B, 13th Virginia Infantry, Confederate States Army |
| Commanders | |
| American Revolutionary Commander | Colonel Lawrence Taliaferro |
| American Revolutionary Executive Officer | Lieutenant Colonel Edward Stevens |
The Culpeper Minutemen were a special group of citizen soldiers. They formed in 1775 near Culpeper, Virginia. Like other "minutemen" in the American colonies, they trained to be ready for battle very quickly. They could respond to emergencies "at a minute's notice."
How They Were Organized
The Culpeper Minutemen officially started on July 17, 1775. They were formed in a special area of Virginia. This area included Orange, Fauquier, and Culpeper counties.
Recruitment for the group began in September 1775. They gathered four companies of 50 men from Fauquier and Culpeper counties. They also had two companies of 50 men from Orange County. A local safety committee decided where the militia would meet. They met under a large oak tree in "Clayton's old field." This spot was on the Catalpa estate, near Yowell Meadow Park in Culpeper.
What They Did
The Culpeper Minutemen fought for the American colonies early in the American Revolution. They are well-known for their unique company flag. This flag was a white banner with a rattlesnake on it. It also had two famous phrases: "Liberty or Death" and "Don't Tread on Me." At that time, Culpeper was considered a frontier area.
In October 1775, the Minutemen were sent to Hampton. British ships were trying to land there. The Minutemen were skilled riflemen. They could shoot the men operating the cannons on the British ships. Because of this, the British fleet eventually sailed away.
The Culpeper militia then took part in the Battle of Great Bridge in December 1775. This battle was a complete victory for the Americans. Some stories from the battle suggest that the British were worried by the reputation of these frontier fighters.
The Culpeper Minutemen officially ended their service in January 1776. This was by order of the safety committee. However, many of the minutemen continued to serve in other ways. Some joined the main Continental Army. Others fought under a famous leader named Daniel Morgan. One example was William Lloyd, who lived from 1748 to 1834. After fighting with Morgan's group, he joined another Virginia regiment. He was honorably discharged in 1779.
John Marshall, who later became the fourth Chief Justice of the United States, was also a member of the original Culpeper Minutemen.
Later Groups
American Civil War
In 1860, the Culpeper Minutemen were formed again. They gathered under the same oak tree where the 1775 group had organized. They also carried the same rattlesnake flag. This new unit became part of Company B of the 13th Virginia Infantry. They served in the Confederate States Army throughout the American Civil War.
Other Conflicts
The Museum of Culpeper History states that the Minutemen were organized again for the Spanish–American War. However, they were never called into active duty. The Culpeper Minutemen were also formed for World War I. During that war, they joined the 116th Infantry.
