University of Virginia Library

THE COUNTY LIEUTENANT

The County Lieutenant corresponded to the Lord Lieutenant
of England, and was one of the most important men in the county.
He received his appointment from the Governor and the Council,
commanded the county militia, and was empowered to place
all male, white, persons, above the age of eighteen, in the militia,
and under such captains as he wished to appoint. He could order
private drills whenever and wherever he pleased, and was under
compulsion to hold four general musters annually. W. W. Scott,
in his History of Orange, says: "These musters constituted a
distinctly social feature * * * *  The companies had their
places of assembly for drill, and the contrast between the
flamboyant and gorgeous uniforms of the officers and the homespun
drab of the privates was very striking. The officers would
be assembled for `training' for several days prior to each General
Muster, and when the great occasion came the people flocked
to see it as they do now to a circus. The appearance of the field
and staff mounted on prancing steeds was a triumphal pageant,

and when the music struck up the martial spirit became intense,
and the maneuvres much involved." The County Lieutenant also
presided over courts martial and exercises much authority in
time of war.