William Campbell (general)
Encyclopedia
William Campbell was a Virginia
farmer, pioneer, and soldier. One of the thirteen signers of the earliest statement of armed resistance to the British Crown
in the American Colonies, the Fincastle Resolutions
, Campbell represented Hanover County
in the Virginia House of Delegates
. A militia leader during the American Revolutionary War
, he was known as the "bloody tyrant of Washington County
" known for his leadership at the Battle of Kings Mountain
and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
in the American Colonies. Campbell represented Hanover County, Virginia
in the Virginia House of Delegates
twice: in 1780, and again in 1781 (the year that he died).
He was a militia leader of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "bloody tyrant of Washington County
" for his harsh treatment of Loyalist
s. He became a colonel in 1780, and was noted for leading his militia to victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain, where he charged the enemy while telling his men to "shout like hell and fight like devils!" Afterward, he worked in conjunction with Continental Army
troops to oppose the British invasion of Virginia, providing support at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The Virginia Assembly commissioned him a brigadier general in 1781, however, he died soon after.
. They had two children: Sarah Buchanan Campbell, and William Henry Campbell. Following Campbell's 1781 death of an apparent heart attack, his widow subsequently married General William Russell
.
s. The salt works that were eventually established there became an important source of revenue for the family, also playing an important role in supplying salt for the Confederacy
during the Civil War
. It had been surveyed in 1748, when James Patton entered the area with an expedition of several men, including one Charles Campbell. After William Cambell's death, the General Assembly of Virginia granted 5,000 acres to his young son, Charles Henry Campbell, in consideration of the distinguished services of his father.
, Smyth County, Virginia
), alongside Elizabeth Campbell "Madame" Russell. The cemetery is a Virginia Historical Landmark
, with soldiers from six different wars interred there.
Campbell County, Virginia
, is named for General Campbell.
In her later years, Elizabeth founded the Madame Russell Methodist Church.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
farmer, pioneer, and soldier. One of the thirteen signers of the earliest statement of armed resistance to the British Crown
British monarchy
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
in the American Colonies, the Fincastle Resolutions
Fincastle Resolutions
The Fincastle Resolutions was a statement adopted on January 20, 1775 by thirteen elected representatives of Fincastle County, Colony of Virginia...
, Campbell represented Hanover County
Hanover County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 86,320 people, 31,121 households, and 24,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile . There were 32,196 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...
in the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
. A militia leader during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, he was known as the "bloody tyrant of Washington County
Washington County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 51,103 people, 21,056 households, and 14,949 families residing in the county. The population density was 91 people per square mile . There were 22,985 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
" known for his leadership at the Battle of Kings Mountain
Battle of Kings Mountain
The Battle of Kings Mountain was a decisive battle between the Patriot and Loyalist militias in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
Civic and military leader
In 1775, Campbell was one of the thirteen signers of the Fincastle Resolutions, the earliest statement of armed resistance to the British CrownBritish monarchy
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
in the American Colonies. Campbell represented Hanover County, Virginia
Hanover County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 86,320 people, 31,121 households, and 24,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile . There were 32,196 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...
in the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
twice: in 1780, and again in 1781 (the year that he died).
He was a militia leader of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "bloody tyrant of Washington County
Washington County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 51,103 people, 21,056 households, and 14,949 families residing in the county. The population density was 91 people per square mile . There were 22,985 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
" for his harsh treatment of Loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
s. He became a colonel in 1780, and was noted for leading his militia to victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain, where he charged the enemy while telling his men to "shout like hell and fight like devils!" Afterward, he worked in conjunction with Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
troops to oppose the British invasion of Virginia, providing support at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The Virginia Assembly commissioned him a brigadier general in 1781, however, he died soon after.
Personal life
Campbell was married to Elizabeth Henry, sister of Virginia Governor, Patrick HenryPatrick Henry
Patrick Henry was an orator and politician who led the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s. A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and subsequently, from 1784 to 1786...
. They had two children: Sarah Buchanan Campbell, and William Henry Campbell. Following Campbell's 1781 death of an apparent heart attack, his widow subsequently married General William Russell
William Russell (Virginia)
William Russell was an army officer and a prominent settler of the southwestern region of the Virginia Colony. He led an early attempt to settle the "Kentuckee Territory" . He was a justice of Fincastle County, Virginia. Russell aided in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence...
.
Salt Lick
The tract of land where the Campbells settled was called "Salt Lick" for the area's numerous salt depositSalt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
s. The salt works that were eventually established there became an important source of revenue for the family, also playing an important role in supplying salt for the Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It had been surveyed in 1748, when James Patton entered the area with an expedition of several men, including one Charles Campbell. After William Cambell's death, the General Assembly of Virginia granted 5,000 acres to his young son, Charles Henry Campbell, in consideration of the distinguished services of his father.
Burial and legacy
William Campbell is buried in the Aspenvale Cemetery (near present-day MarionMarion, Virginia
Marion is a town in Smyth County, Virginia, United States. The population was 5,968 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Smyth County. The town is named for American Revolutionary War officer Francis Marion.-Tourism:...
, Smyth County, Virginia
Smyth County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,081 people, 13,493 households, and 9,607 families residing in the county. The population density was 73 people per square mile . There were 15,111 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
), alongside Elizabeth Campbell "Madame" Russell. The cemetery is a Virginia Historical Landmark
Landmark
This is a list of landmarks around the world.Landmarks may be split into two categories - natural phenomena and man-made features, like buildings, bridges, statues, public squares and so forth...
, with soldiers from six different wars interred there.
Campbell County, Virginia
Campbell County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 51,078 people, 20,639 households, and 14,694 families residing in the county. The population density was 101 people per square mile . There were 22,088 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile...
, is named for General Campbell.
In her later years, Elizabeth founded the Madame Russell Methodist Church.