Mark, I want you to think about this; would you give any man, enlisted or officer, be issued a gun, a horse, given your full confidence with your life, limb and future, and any/all strategic information about your plans to break away from the ruling monarch without taking their promise first? I would hope the loyalty oath would be given before all this took place! Here's a Maryland Loyalist Oath: http://users.erols.com/candidus/oath.htm I voluntarily take this OATH to bear Faith and true Allegiance to His MAJESTY KING George the Third; -- and defend to the utmost of my Power, His sacred Person, Crown and Government, against all Persons whatsoever. Potential answers given: I DISAGREE, The King can just bugger off. I AGREE, Who fancies mob rule and anarchy Each state (colony) were furiously individual, and had their own loyalty oath created of their own. I'm sure one of the high requirements on each of their list was loyality to those who were tired of all the injustices and had nothing to loose but their family's futures and their individual 'selves' considering what they viewed as continual injustices. They individually as colonies were suspect of centralized control, were made up of different cultures, ethnics...like we are made up today. I would venture to say that yesterday as early 'Americans' each colonial grouping had their own ideas and ways of thinking they're way was better, as we do today. Rhonda Houston ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Can someone help with some general questions on the Loyalty Oath taken by men serving from the State of Virginia? I have a reference to some officers that took a loyalty oath at Ft. Pitt in Feb of 1778. 1) Was the oath taken at the time of enlistment so I can assume these men enlisted in Feb 1778? 2) Was the oath only required of officers or did every soldier have to take the oath? 3) Can someone provide the actual oath? 4) Was this unique to the State of Virginia or did each State have their own requirements? 5) Any other information that anyone would like to expand on would be appreciated. My ancestor was Charles Botkin, private, 13th VA Jan 1777-Sept 1780 I would be glad to share information on the 13th VA. Thanks for any help.