Carroll 250: Travis Shaw and the Beeline March

“I am persuaded they will do great Execution:” The Maryland and Virginia Rifle Companies of 1775.

On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the formation of several independent companies of riflemen to reinforce the New Englanders then besieging British-occupied Boston. Among the first to answer the call were four companies of men – two from western Maryland, and two from Virginia – who made a remarkable journey to reach Washington’s army that has gone down in legend as the Bee Line March. Upon their arrival they made an immediate impact, turning a New England army into truly Continental Army, and further cementing the legend of the American marksman in history.

Travis Shaw is the Director of Education for the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area. Prior to joining VPHA Travis Shaw spent time at Historic St. Mary’s City, The Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab, Mount Vernon, and Oatlands Historic House and Gardens. He holds a BA in history from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and an MA in history with a concentration in public history from American University.

Travis is former Vice President of the Loudoun Preservation Society and served on the Loudoun County Heritage Commission. He is currently a member of the Loudoun County 250^th Commission. He is a guest contributor to the Emerging Revolutionary War series and has written several articles for the American Battlefield Trust.

Carroll Voices 250 speaker series celebrates the United States Semiquincentennial. The United States Semiquincentennial, also called the Bisesquincentennial, the Sestercentennial or the Quarter Millennial, will be the 250th anniversary of the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence.