War returned to Virginia in the spring of 1781. An expeditionary force under Gen. Benedict Arnold occupied the city of Portsmouth at the confluence of the James River and the Chesapeake Bay in January. Richmond was taken with almost no organized opposition and later burned, the Westham cannon foundry was destroyed and the Virginia militia was defeated at Petersburg, a major logistical hub for American troops in the South. Additional re-inforcementsarrived in March, allowing Gen. Arnold to expand his operations and raids began in the Potomac River basin in April. British troops and privateers ranged as far north as the port city of Alexandria and threatened the holdings of several Founding Fathers who had homes or plantations on the Potomac. Mt. Vernon was spared only after Lund Washington essentially ransomed the estate by provisioning the British troops and allowing nearly 20 slaves to be liberated.
For this weekend, 4th Coy will be setting up a small camp at Mount Vernon near the Pioneer Farm close to the river wharf. As a raiding party, we will pack light, but will have tent equipment set up. 4th Coy will be there when the gates open at 8:00, with the landing and recreation of the ransoming of Mount Vernon schedule for 1:00 both afternoons.
This will mark the first appearance of 4th Coy at Mount Vernon, so be sure to visit this historic site for another historic first!
