William Campbell.
William Campbell was born in Augusta County, Virginia, in 1745, died at Rocky Mills, Hanover Co., Va., August 22, 1781. In 1767 he moved to the Holston Valley. In 1774 he was appointed Captain of militia and was in Col. Christian’s regiment at Point Pleasant. In September, 1775, he commanded a company at Williamsburg, in Patrick Henry’s regiment and under General Lewis assisted in dislodging 1 Governor Dunmore from Gwynn’s Island in July, 1776. In 1777 he was made Lieutenant of Militia in the new county of Washington. In 1779, he aided in driving the Tories from the Holston Valley. In 1780, he was promoted to a colonelcy of the regiment and chosen to represent his county in the legislature. At King’s Mountain he distinguished himself and was commended by Washington, Gates and Greene. He was with Gen. Greene at Guilford Court House in March’, 1781. He was made a Brigadier General of Militia and served under Lafayette in the Battle of Jamestown, soon after which he died. Lafayette said of him “His services at King’s Mountain and Guilford would do his memory everlasting honor and ensure him a high rank among the defenders of liberty in the American Cause”, while Jefferson declared “Gen. Campbell’s friends might quietly rest their heads on the pillow of his renown.” His wife was a sister of Patrick Henry.
SOURCE: The Battle of Point Pleasant, A Battle of the Revolution, October 10th, 1774, Mrs. Livia Nye Simpson-Poffenbarger, The State Gazette, Point Pleasant, W.V., 1909
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