The 8th Virginia marched south to Charleston, South Carolina and was there in time for the Battle of Sullivan's Island on 28 June 1776, but it was not in action.[2] On 21 January 1777, the regiment received orders to join George Washington's main army.[1] Muhlenberg was promoted brigadier general on 21 February[5] and Abraham Bowman became colonel of the 8th Virginia on 22 March.[6] At that time, the other two field officers were Lieutenant Colonel John Markham and Major William Darke.[3] On 11 May 1777, the unit was assigned to the 4th Virginia Brigade,[1] together with the 4th and 12th Virginia Regiments,[7] Grayson's Additional Continental Regiment, and Patton's Additional Continental Regiment.[8] Charles Scott was appointed to lead the brigade.[9]

At the Battle of Brandywine on 11 September 1777, Scott's and William Woodford's Virginia brigades were part of Adam Stephen's division.[10] That morning, Sir William Howe marched one wing of his army 17 miles (27 km) to reach a position in the rear of the American right flank. George Washington immediately ordered the divisions of Stephen, John Sullivan, and Lord Stirling to block Howe.[11] Stephen's 1,500 troops held the right, Stirling's 1,500 men defended the center, and Sullivan's soldiers began forming on the left of the position. The Americans were outnumbered by about 8,000 to 4,000 men.[12] Supported by two cannons, Stephen's division held a wooded hill in an area called Sandy Hollow. At first, the division sturdily held its ground against the British 2nd Light Infantry Battalion and the Hessian Jägers.[13] The British attack broke Sullivan's division first. Attacked in front and on their newly exposed left flank, Stirling's men withdrew next.[14] At last the British converged on Scott's brigade, which held the left flank of Stephen's line. The Virginians finally gave way and retreated

John Bradford