By 1780, many states, including Virginia, were having problems raising troops to fight against the British. On January 24, Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson authorized Captain Worthington of the Illinois Battalion to recruit men to serve in the state militia. As this appointment details, recruits were offered a signing bonus of $750 and more.
This document is the appointment paper for Captain Edward Worthington. It provides instructions to Worthington to proceed to recruit men for the infantry of his battalion. Specific information on the bounty paid and clothing provided, the land allotment each recruit is entitled to after the war, and pension provided for recruits disabled through their service is also provided.
