★★★ French, William Henderson

William Henderson French
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Born: 1812

Birthplace: Giles County, Virginia

Father: Captain David Edwin French 1772 – 1833

Mother: Mary "Polly" Dingess 1779 – 1829

1st​ Wife: Sarah Steele 1809 – 1858

2nd​ Wife: Martha Ann Burton – 1884

Occupation before War:

Landowner in Mercer County, Virginia​

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Sheriff of Mercer County, Virginia​

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1844 – 1845: Virginia State Representative​

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1848 – 1851: Virginia State Senator​

Civil War Career:

1861 – 1863: Captain Company D, 8th​ Virginia Cavalry Regiment​

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1863 – 1864: Colonel of 17th​ Virginia Cavalry Regiment​

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1863: Colonel French led 241 men into the Gettysburg Campaign. His regiment was part of Jenkins Brigade.​

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1864: Court martialed and reprimanded​

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1864: Resigned as Colonel in the Confederate Army on September 3rd​​

Occupation after War:

1864 – 1872: Farmer in Mercer County, West Virginia​

Died: July 16, 1872

Place of Death: Athens, West Virginia

Age at time of Death: 59 or 60 years old

Burial Place: Shumate – Martin Cemetery, Athens, West Virginia

 

[Pollaco]

Oops wrong French.The Union had a General William H. French. I almost submitted some wrong info on this biography.

 

[Pollaco]

I see where his home was known as Legend Valley Farm.