The 2d Virginia Regiment (the spelling most commonly used in period references) was authorized by the Virginia Convention, July 17, 1775, as a force of regular troops for the Commonwealth's defense. It consisted of seven companies, 476 privates and the usual regimental officers. William Woodford, of Caroline County, named colonel, along with Lieutenant Colonel Charles Scott and Major Alexander Spotswood were the regiment's initial field officers. Virginia had been divided into 16 military districts which took their names from the predominant county in the grouping; for instance, Prince William District included Fairfax and Loudoun Counties as well. Col. Gregory Smith 1777-78 Col Brent 1779 (Valley Forge ?) Officers 1st Company - Captain George Johns(t)on, September 21, 1775. Raised in Prince William District 2nd Company - Captain George Nicholas, Captain Thomas Bressie Co. B September 28, 1775. Raised in Hanover District. Captain William Taliaferro, December 1778 3rd Company - Captain Richard Parker, September 28, 1775. Raised in Westmoreland District 4th Company - Captain William Taliaferro, September 29, 1775. Raised in Caroline District 5th Company - Captain William Fontaine, October 21, 1775. Raised in Amelia District 6th Company - Captain Richard Kidder Meade, October 24, 1775. Raised in Southampton District 7th Company - Captain Morgan Alexander, November 27, 1775. Raised in Frederick District (Riflemen) On December 1, 1775, three companies of sixty men each were added to the regiment. 8th Company - Captain Buller Claiborne, January 31, 1776. Raised in Prince George District and Petersburg. 9th Company - Captain Samuel Hawes, February 19, 1776. Raised in Caroline District. 10th Company - Captain Wood Jones, March 8, 1776. Raised in Amelia District and Williamsburg. Southern theater 1775–1776 While Colonel Patrick Henry of the 1st Virginia Regiment was technically the commander-in-chief of Virginia's forces, correspondence between the President of Virginia's Committee of Safety Edmund Pendleton and Colonel Woodford indicates that this was a political decision in recognition of Henry's efforts prior to the outbreak of hostilities. While Henry was a politician, Woodford had served in the French and Indian War and had real military experience. For this reason, the Pendleton decided to keep Henry in Williamsburg, Virginia, while dispatching the 2d Virginia Regiment to meet Governor Dunmore's small "army" composed of detachments of the 14th Regiment of Foot, naval gunners, and freed slaves who had been formed into the Ethiopian Regiment. The 2d Virginia Regiment, along with elements of the Culpeper Minutemen, engaged the