CAMPBELL, WILLIAM (1745-81). An American soldier, prominent as a militia officer in the Revolutionary \Var. He was born in Augusta County, Va.. and received a good edu cation. In 1767 he removed to the Holston Val ley with his mother and four sisters, and in 1773 became one of the first justices of the peace in Fineastle County. He served under Colonel Christian in Lord Dunmore's War (q.v.) in 1774, joined Patrick Henry's Virginia forces in Sep tember, 1775, and in July. 1770, assisted in forcing Governor Dunmore from Gwynu's Island. Returning to the _Holston Valley, he became lieutenant-colonel of militia in 1777, was a mem ber of the commission appointed in 1778 to run the boundary line between Virginia and the Cherokees in accordance with a recent treaty, and in the following year was prominent in various partisan operations against the Tories. He served for some time in the Virginia House of Delegates. but, obtaining a leave of absence in June. 1780, took an active part in numerous contests with the Tories, and in the famous battle of King's _Mountain (q.v.) on October 7,
was the leader of the American forces. Early in 1781 he joined General Greene, and on March 15 took a conspicuous part in the battle of Guilford Court-House (q.v.) : but resenting the failure of Colonel Lee, commanding the cavalry, to come to his aid at a critical moment in this action, he withdrew in disgust from the service. He then again became a member of the House of Delegates. but in June was appointed brigadier general of militia, and served under Lafayette until his death in August. Lafayette said of him: "The glory which General Campbell ac quired in the affairs of King's Mountain and Guilford Court-House will do his memory ever lasting honor, and insure him a high rank among the defenders of liberty in the American cause." Consult a sketch in Draper, King's Mountain. and Its heroes (Cincinnati, 1881 ).