Henry C. Lester

Henry Clay Lester (November 1830 — April 5, 1902) was an American lawyer, linguist, civil engineer, and American Civil War veteran. During the Civil War Lester served in the 1st Minnesota Infantry Regiment before being promoted to the rank of Colonel and commanding the 3rd Minnesota Infantry Regiment. Lester is infamously known in Minnesota history for his surrender to Nathan Bedford Forrest at the First Battle of Murfreesboro on July 13, 1862 which caused widespread dissent amongst the regiment.

Early life Henry Clay Lester was born in November 1830 in Fredonia, New York. Starting in 1846 Lester studied at Hamilton College where he studied law and was the president of the Phi Beta Kappa society, and was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity, he graduated from Hamilton College in 1850. Shortly after graduating Lester moved to Winona, Minnesota in Minnesota Territory in 1857 where he worked as a lawyer. While in Winona Lester served as the court clerk of the District Court of Minnesota for Minnesota's 3rd Judicial District. Lester was elected as the Captain of Company K and would serve with the 1st Minnesota during the regiment's first several engagements, notably the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861 and the Battle of Ball's Bluff on October 21, 1861. On November 15, 1861 Lester was promoted to the rank of Colonel and appointed to command of the newly mustered 3rd Minnesota Infantry Regiment.

According to the Minnesota Historical Society Lester was given a presentation sword made by Tiffany & Co. from the soldiers of the regiment on April 14, 1862 "in token of their high regard and confidence". From May 8 to July 11, 1862 Lester commanded the Twenty-Third brigade which had been sent to Pikeville, Tennessee in the Sequatchie Valley before being relieved by Colonel William Ward Duffield of the 9th Michigan Infantry Regiment.

Surrender at Murfreesboro

Only July 13, 1862 Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked and captured much of the Union garrison at Murfreesboro, Tennessee under the command of Thomas Turpin Crittenden who were garrisoned at Murfreesboro in order to guard and patrol the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. Corporal Green the defenders held their own against three separate charges before Green was finally wounded and his command surrendered. Green would later die of his wounds later that day.

Dismissal from the military Due to his surrender and the widespread disapproval of his men and officers Lester was dismissed from his command on December 1, 1862. The regiment was eventually paroled and returned to Minnesota where it would take part in the Dakota War of 1862 at the Battle of Wood Lake.

Later life Following his military discharge Lester, disgraced, returned to his home state of New York. Lester worked as a lawyer and civil engineer in New York City from 1862 until 1880. Lester was eventually elected as the County Clerk of Livingston County, New York which he held for twelve years. Lester died on April 5, 1902 in Geneseo, New York from heart failure.