In the summer of 1774, the people of Fairfax County took bold steps to express their dissatisfaction with colonial rule. Led by Colonel George Mason, they formed the Fairfax Independent Company of Volunteers, a militia organized to practice military exercises and discipline. This audacious move came after Virginia's Governor, Lord Dunmore, had disbanded the House of Burgesses and allowed the colony's militia law to lapse. Operating outside the law, Fairfax County residents were determined to prepare for the challenges ahead.
Colonel George Mason acted shortly after the First Virginia Convention. He chaired a meeting of the Gentlemen and Freeholders of Fairfax County on September 21, 1774 and pressed for the formation of the Fairfax Independent Company of Volunteers, a militia organized, “for the Purpose of learning & practicing the military Exercise & Discipline.” This was an audacious step. Virginia’s Governor, Lord Dunmore, had let the colony’s militia law lapse when he disbanded the House of Burgesses that summer. Mason and his fellow Fairfax County residents were operating outside the law - not even waiting for their delegates to return from the First Continental Congress, George Washington included.
Fairfax County gentlemen passed resolutions that their militia would not exceed one hundred men and would be, “dress’d in a regular Uniform of Blue, turn’d up with Buff; with plain yellow metal Buttons, Buff Waist Coat & Breeches, & white Stockings; and furnished with a good Fire-lock & Bayonet, Sling Cartouch-Box, and Tomahawk.”
It appears that the Company quickly formed and began practicing that fall. Nicholas Cresswell, an Englishman visiting Alexandria observed the preparations on multiple occasions. On October 24th he wrote in his journal, “Independent Companies are raising in every County on the Continent, appointed Adjutants and train their Men as if they were on the Eve of a War.”
When George Washington returned from the Continental Congress on Oct 30th, the Fairfax Independent Company turned to him for leadership. Perhaps he was in Alexandria when Cresswell further observed on November 3rd, “Saw the Independent Company exercise. The Effigy of Lord North was shot at, then carried in great parade into the town and burnt.” Fairfax wasn’t the only county who wanted George Washington as their field officer. Before the next meeting of the Continental Congress in June of 1775, Washington had taken command of Independent Companies in Prince William, Fauquier, Spotsylvania and Richmond.
As 1775 began, Mason and Washington continued to work with the Fairfax Independent Company. Washington’s Diary shows that he reviewed the Company on January 16. Then on January 17th, the Fairfax County Committee adopted more resolutions regarding the militia. These provided for ordering of ammunition and the collection of a 3 shilling contribution for each taxable person in the county. Historians believe that this was the first time that a county authorized itself “to levy and collect a tax.”
George Washington and Charles Broadwater were chosen by the Committee to continue as delegates to the Virginia Convention. Washington departed for Richmond on March 15. In his absence, the Fairfax Independent Company kept drilling. Nicholas Cresswell observed them again on March 18th, believing Washington to be with them, “This day the Gentlemen and Mechanic Independent Companies reviewed by Colnl Washington. All of them in uniform. The Gentlemen, blue and buff. The Mechanics red and blue. In all about 150 men, and make a formidable appearance.”
The Second Virginia Convention began on March 20th. On the third day, Patrick Henry rose to introduce a resolution to organize a militia and commit troops to fight for independence. While George Mason was not present at the convention, he had previously met with Henry and described him as, “by far the most powerful speaker I ever heard. Every word he says not only engages but commands the attention; and your passions are no longer your own when he addresses them.” Henry, in his attempt to convince his fellow delegates to vote for the resolution, reportedly closed his speech with the famous phrase, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”
The resolution passed by five votes. Henry was named chair of the militia committee with Washington included as a member. Washington reached home on March 31, less than three weeks before the “Shot heard ‘round the world,” the first military engagement of the American Revolution.
Read about the Fairfax Resolves!