Date

5-20-2026

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)

Chair

Michael Griggs

Keywords

American Revolution, militia, Virginia, Western Frontier, frontier, military

Disciplines

History

Abstract

The aptly named, New World, posed new challenges for the British colonists who migrated across the Atlantic Ocean. New challenges required colonists to ditch traditional European methods and embrace the ruggedness that was Colonial North America. From the perfecting of the rifle to adapting to guerilla warfare tactics, Virginia stood at the front lines of this evolution. The western frontier showed signs of promise for the British Colonists and Virginia quickly found itself in the center of the drama that promise brought with it. The Ohio River Valley took as much as it gave, forging some of the best militia fighters and leaders to serve in the Continental Army. During the time of the American Revolution, the Virginia militia fended off threats from British forces from the North, South and East, but it was the unsung heroes on the edge of the frontier that secured a future for the United States. Without the Virginia militia in the west, the quest for independence was risked seeing supply line disruption and hostilities from a British and Native alliance. The Virginia militia and their involvement on the western frontier forever changed the course of American history.

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