Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-06-24
THE INSPIRATION OF A NAME
THE THIRD VIRGINIA REGI.
NJ E'ND

HE IdlkO NlbGINlA hEGl-
MENT.
The Third Virginia Regiment of the
Continental army lover one hun
dred years ago) has history of its
own, and fame that has placed star
upon the breast of every soldier, officer
nd private who fought beneath its
smoke-stained banner.
Tn the skirmish on Harlem Heights,
september, 1776, a detachment of the
Third Virginia Regiment formed the
ldvarce party in the attack, and M jor
Laitch. while intrepidly leading his
men, fell mortally wounded. Again,
at Germantown, Pennsylvania, October
1, l777, and in the dark winter of
Valley Forge, the Third Virginia
Regiment had its place in the patriot
camp on the Schuylkill, near Phila
telphia. General Lincoln possessed in
his garrison OF defense in Charleston f.
force of Two thousand men, Including
tn North Carolina regulars and four
hundred Vireiuians, the latter being a
detachment of the Third Virginia Regi'
uent, who had lately joined him under
Lieutenant Colouel Hetb. With this
small band, together with the militia of
he town, Lincoln withstood for days
be s'orming of the British batteries.
Slowly but surely they did their deadly
work, advancing from their first parsl
lei to the second, from the second to
ue third. which third was now so close
our liues that the sharp-shooters
could single out every man who ex
posed himself to view. For two long
lays the fire from the third parallel con
5inued without intermission, when see
lng that resistance was no longer possible
md to prevent further etfusion of blood
General Lincoln capitulated. Though
made prisoners at the surrender OF
Charlt ston, the Third Virginia Regiment
xas soon exchanged and again took its
place in the fighting ranks. At the
,attle of Camden, South Carolina,
where General Gates suffered such
memorable defeat, and where the brave
Baron de Kalb fell, sword in hand,
pierced bv eleven wounds, the Third
Virgins Regiment did its heroic part.
The Third Virginia Regiment also
nioyed the triumph of Yorktown at
the close of its long and arduous labors,
being a part ofthat noble and victorious
army whicn received the surrender OF
he British foe.
Capt. John Hawkins, adiutant of this
regiment, the grandfather of one of our
most patriotic citizens, the late Francis
l.. Smith, was honorably msntioned in
he official report of the battle by Ma
i3r General George Weadon, for con-
spicuous galantry in endeavoring to
rally the troops upon this disastrous oc-
casion.
1t is a coincidence worthy of note that
Col. Francis L. Smith, the Confederate
,oy. veteran of this city, was at one
ime the Lieutenant Colonel of the
present Third Virginia Regiment. 1t
- also ap interesting fact that Capt.
John Ashby who commanded one OF
he three Virginia regiments under
Mai pr Leitch in the battle OF Harlem
II irhts. was the grandfather Of Gen.
Turner Ashby, c. S. A. These regl-
ments were ordered specially by the
commander.in-chief to save the day.
l. is said that 1.-The Third Virginia regl'
ment appeors to have been one upon
which Washington has wont to rely IN
,yery crisis, when the regiment was at
hand" With the Inspiration OF such
a glorious name we commit its preser-
vafion to the brave men who will fol
low in distant lands and through bat
tle's din it's fiuttering banner. May
thew maintain undimmed the aureola
which now surrounds that famous
standard consecrated by centurys re-