Served in the 3rd Virginia Regiment was raised on December 28, 1775 at Alexandria, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The 3d Virginia’s initial commander was Colonel Hugh Mercer, who was quickly promoted to brigadier general. Its second commander was George Weedon, who was also promoted to brigadier general. Weedon was succeeded in command by Colonel Thomas Marshall, the father of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall. The regiment saw action in the New York Campaign the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. Most of the regiment was captured at Charlestown, South Carolina on May 12, 1780 by the British and the regiment was formally disbanded on November 15, 1783. James Madison and John Marshall served as lieutenants in this regiment.