Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/217

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

an attack of rheumatism and he returned home. In 1781 he joined in the suppres- sion of the Tory rebellion in Virginia, and subsequently reported to Lafayette, near Jcimestown, Virginia, and was given com- mand of the light troops in Lafayette's com- mand, but illness compelled him to retire in August. 1 781. He engaged in the culti- vation of his farm, and became wealthy. In 1790 he received from congress the gold medal voted to him for services rendered at the Cowpens. In 1795 he was chosen ma- jor-general of the Virginia troops that took part in the suppression of the whiskey in- surrection in western Pennsylvania. He was a Federal representatrve in the fifth cc^ngress, 1797-99. and supported the ad- ministration of John Adams. A statue was dedicated to him at Spartansburg, South Carolina, in 1881. He died at Winchester, Virginia, July 6, 1802.

Heth, William, born in Virginia, 1735, died in Richmond, April 15, 1808. He was an officer in Montgomery's regiment in the French war, and was wounded at Quebec. He joined the American army at the be- ginning of the revolution, and was lieuten- ant-colonel of the Third Virginia until the war closed; he afterward held a lucrative office under President Washington.

Woodford, William, was born in Caroline county, Virginia, in 1735. He distinguished himself in the French and Indian war. In 1775. when the Virginia militia assembled at Williamsburg, he was commissioned colonel of the Second Regiment At Great Bridge, December 9. the same year, he fought the forces of Lord Dunmore. royal governor of the colony, and gained a vic- tory. Dunmore had fortified a passage of

the Elizabeth river, on the' borders of the Dismal Swamp, where he suspected the militia would attempt to cross. At the Nor- iflk end of the bridge, Dunmore cast up his entrenchments, and supplied them amply v/ith cannon. His forces consisted of Brit- ish regulars, Virginia Tories, negroes and vagrants, in number about 600. Woodford had thrown a .small fortification at the oppo- site end of the bridge. Early in the morn- ing the Royalists attacked the Virginians. After considerable manoeuvring a sharp battle ensued which lasted about twenty- five minutes, when the assailants were re- pulsed and fled, leaving two spiked field pieces behind them. The loss of the as- sailants was fifty-five, killed and wounded: not a \'irginian was killed. Woodford was afterward commander of the First Virginia Erigade. having been appointed brigadier- general. At the battle of the Brandywine. September 11, 1777, ^^ ^^s severely wound- ed, but was in the action at Monmouth, New Jersey, June 28, 1778, and at the siege of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1780. Here he was taken prisoner by the British and sent to New York City, where he died on November 13, of that year.

Stevens, Edward, was born in Culpeper county, in 1745. He participated as major of militia in the battle of Great Bridge, De- cember 9, 1775, ^nd >n the summer of 1776 was made colonel of the Tenth Virginia Regiment. In 1777 ^^ ^^s ordered to join Washington's army in New Jersey, and at the battle of Brandywine bore the brunt of Gen. William Howe's assault. Subsequent- ly taking a gallant part in the battle of Ger- man town, he was advanced by congress to the rank of brigadier-general. He spent the

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