For Virginia and for Independence

The phrase “American Revolutionary War Hero” usually brings to mind George Washington, John Paul Jones and other famous officers. Heroes, however, existed throughout the ranks during the Revolution, and many made their marks without ever receiving proper recognition. These portraits of 28 Virginia Revolutionary soldiers expand the historical record of those who can be called a “hero.” Whether as infantryman, cavalryman, marine, militiaman, spy, frontier fighter or staffer, all performed with distinction that contributed to victory. A strongman who performed superhuman feats during battle; a woman who fought as a soldier; a militiaman who sounded a fateful alarm—some gave their lives, others were terribly wounded, but all demonstrated heroism beyond the call of duty.

The late Harry M. Ward was William Binford Vest Professor of History Emeritus at University of Richmond. He was the author of 21 books, including college-level textbooks on Colonial America and the American Revolution, military biographies and studies of social aspects of the Revolution.

Harry M. Ward
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 225
Bibliographic Info: 17 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6130-1
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8601-4
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1
Introduction: Virtute et Armis      4

MARINES
1. Alexander “Sawney” Dick      9

COAST GUARD
2. John “Jack” Cropper      24

CONTINENTAL INFANTRY
3. Richard Clough Anderson      29
4. John Chilton      34
5. Peter Francisco      39
6. Nathaniel Gist      45
7. William Grayson      50
8. William Heth      54
9. Josiah Parker      60
10. Richard Parker      65
11. Charles “Charley” Porterfield      69
12. Thomas Posey      74
13. Gustavus “Gusty” Brown Wallace      79

CONTINENTAL CAVALRY
14. George Baylor      83
15. Theodorick Bland, Jr      88
16. William Washington      94

CONTINENTAL ARTILLERY
17. Charles Harrison      102

MILITIA
18. James Innes      106
19. Robert Lawson      110
20. Edward Stevens      120
21. John “Jack” Jouett      130

STATE LEGION
22. Charles Dabney      135
23. Anna Maria Lane            139

OVERMOUNTAIN MEN
24. William Campbell      143
25. William Crawford      150

SPY
26. James Armistead Lafayette      155

QUARTERMASTER
27. Edward Carrington      160

COMMISSIONER OF WAR
28. William Davies      166

Appendix: Death of Charles Porterfield at the Battle of Camden      171
Notes      181
Bibliography      198
Index      213

“Ward provides depth, perspective and compassion as he pays tribute to the unsung heroes of the Revolution in this fact-filled, fast read”—Patriots of the American Revolution.