University of Richmond UR Scholarship Repository Master's Theses Student Research 2006 The irV ginia War Department during the American Revolution Thomas Gregory Tune Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.richmond.edu/masters-theses Part of the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Tune, Thomas Gregory, "The irV ginia War Department during the American Revolution" (2006). Master's Theses. 1320. https://scholarship.richmond.edu/masters-theses/1320 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research at UR Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of UR Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. ABSTRACT "THE VIRGINIA WAR OFFICE DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION" THOMAS GREGORY TUNE CANDIDATE FOR DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND AUGUST 2006 PROFESSOR ROBERT C. KENZER The Virginia War Office was a critical component of the Virginia government duringthe American Revolution. Its duties encompassed every aspect of planning, ," supplying, and waging war in the state. The Commissioner of War gathered strategic information, superintended the state's military factories, and provided continuity between the administrations of GovernorsJefferson, Nelson and Harrison. The ability of the War Officeto execute its duties depended largely on the diligence of the Commissioner of War and his ability to cope with problems beyond his control. Unfortunately, the trials and tribulations of the War Officehave been overlooked by historians focusingon the luminary figures involved in Virginia's Revolutionary War efforts. This thesis examines the effectivenessof the Virginia War Office. It faced many problems that were beyond its control, including Virginia's economy, the constant invasions by the British, the autonomy of local officials, and the interference of the Continental Army.