Shepherdstown Commemorates 250th Anniversary Of Beeline March

Residents and reenactors gathered in Shepherdstown on Saturday to celebrate the anniversary of a Revolutionary War event with West Virginia roots.

In 1775, the Second Continental Congress — a conference of representatives from the 13 colonies that united to support American independence — called upon Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia to send riflemen to Massachusetts.

They would join the ranks of General George Washington in a military effort known as the siege of Boston, which marked the start of the American Revolutionary War.

From the area around Mecklenburg, Virginia — or present-day Shepherdstown, West Virginia — officials selected 98 men to be led by Captain Hugh Stephenson and join Washington in Massachusetts.

They began their roughly 600-mile march in June 1775, which was eventually dubbed the Beeline March. They arrived in Massachusetts on July 17, 1775, just one month later.

Today, the company’s journey to Massachusetts is commemorated both for its speed and role in the early effort to achieve American independence.

Community members gathered in Morgan’s Grove Park in Shepherdstown to commemorate the historic anniversary.

Events included military and rifle drills, historic demonstrations, a musical performance from the West Virginia University Mountaineer Fifes and Drums and a historical display from the Eastern Panhandle-based 201st Field Artillery Regiment of the West Virginia National Guard.

Commemorative events for the Beeline March anniversary will continue through the coming weeks as well.

On June 22, Music of the Regiment, an ensemble that performs 18th and 19th century military music, will perform at Trinity Epsicopal Church in Shepherdstown.

On July 19, reenactors will converge at Morgan’s Grove Park to recreate a Revolutionary War encampment in commemoration of the Beeline March anniversary.

Both events are family friendly and free to attend.