The Rutherford County Regiment was authorized on October 30, 1779, by the Province of North Carolina Congress.

It was created at the same time that Rutherford County, North Carolina was created out of the western part of Tryon County, North Carolina when Tryon County and its regiment of militia were abolished.

[1] The Rutherford County Regiment was placed under the existing Salisbury District Brigade when it was created in 1779.

This brigade was commanded by Brigadier General Griffith Rutherford.

In may of 1782, the regiment was re-subordinated to the newly created Morgan District Brigade.