Jun 18

Jun 18 Commander of the Culpeper Minutemen - Edward Stevens

Edward Stevens was a leader of the Culpeper Minutemen who went on to serve in several important battles of the American Revolution.

Stevens was also saved by a Midnight Rider later in the war.

Edward Stevens

Edward Stevens signed up to fight in the Revolutionary War in 1775 and was quickly appointed Lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia Militia.

Stevens took command of a regiment that became known as the Culpeper Minutemen who are mostly remembered for their distinct flag (pictured above).

He led the Minutemen during the Battle of Great Bridge which essentially removed the British authorities from Virginia for the first several years of the war.

Brigadier General

Stevens’ skills were noticed by the Continental Congress who commissioned him as a Colonel in the Continental Army and put him in charge of the 10th Virginia Regiment.

He distinguished himself at the Battle of Brandywine where he covered George Washington’s retreat.

Eventually Edward left the Continental Army to return to the Virginia Militia and accept the position of Brigadier General.

Saved by a Midnight Rider

Edward was wounded at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and went to Charlottesville to recuperate.

It was during this time that the State Government had fled to Charlottesville to escape a Redcoat invasion of Virginia.

Jack Jouett, a Patriot soldier, noticed the British making secret moves to attack the town and took a not-as-famous-as-it-should-be Midnight Ride to warn the residents.

Jouett’s trip allowed Governor Thomas Jefferson and the rest of the State Government to evacuate in the nick of time, but Stevens was unable to travel quickly enough.

Jouett noticed some British soldiers gaining on Stevens and distracted their attention to allow him to make a getaway.