Since their creation, the two new special
regiments of Militia were soon placed under the command of Brigadier
General John Ashe of the Wilmington District Brigade of Militia.
Also during this period, several counties launched the concept
of having two Colonels over their regiments of Militia. By the
end of the war, most counties adopted this approach, but each
implemented it in their own unique way.
Some counties had one Colonel to manage
the musters and training while the second Colonel managed the
provisioning. Some counties had one Colonel oversee things for
half the month while the second Colonel did the same for the
second half of the month. Some counties had one Colonel to oversee
Infantry while the second Colonel oversaw the Light Horse units.
By the first of June 1776, the British
made it clear that they were going after Charlestown, SC. Soon
there was a new commander for the Southern Department of the
Continental Army - Major General Charles Lee - and he quickly
made his way south to Charlestown. He was soon joined by most
of the NC Continental Line and a handful of NC Militia units.
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