The Family Of Henry The Elder PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. General W1ll1am Henry. HE fourth child of the Rev. Robert Henry, William, was born April 12, 1761, in Charlotte County, Virginia, only six years before his father's death. His father's death left the family in straitened circumstances, and, in consequence, he had not the opportunity to acquire a classical education; but, possessing a naturally strong and comprehensive mind, he was able by his own application and perseverance to secure a good English education and a competent knowledge of mathematics and of practical surveying, in which he became proficient. At seventeen years of age he embarked in the war for American Independence as a volunteer in the ranks, serving to the end as a private soldier. He fought under the partisan banner of that famous cavalry officer, Colonel Harry Lee, of Virginia, and afterwards was with General Greene at the battle of Guilford, March 15, 1781, where he fought bravely in a determined effort to wipe out of memory the disgraceful scenes of Camden. He partook of the glory which was conferred on our arms by that well-conducted but indecisive action, in which General Greene, though he did not gain a victory, arrested the career of Cornwallis and actually compelled a retrograde movement of the enemy toward Wilmington, N. C, leaving many sick and wounded behind, while General Greene hung upon the rear and cut off the supplies. This active campaign on the part of Greene, in which William Henry participated, has justly been considered the turning point of the war, as it led to those combinations which resulted in the siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis and his whole army. In the autumn of 1781, at the age of twenty, William Henry came to Kentucky from Virginia with his elder...