James D. Henry

James D. Henry (c. 1797 – March 5, 1834) was a militia officer from the U.S. state of Illinois who rose to the rank of general during the Black Hawk War. Henry was born in Pennsylvania in 1797, and moved to Edwardsville, Illinois in 1822. In 1825, while living in Edwardsville, he was indicted with two other men for the murder of an acquaintance, though he never went to trial. One defendant was tried but found not guilty, and following the trial Henry moved to Springfield, Illinois, where he was elected sheriff. When the Winnebago War broke out in 1827 Henry acted as adjutant for four companies of volunteers.

Henry's military service continued in the prelude of the Black Hawk War of 1832. He was put in command of a regiment in 1831 in response to Black Hawk's incursion into Illinois in 1831. Though Black Hawk left without bloodshed, he would come back in April 1832 and ignite the Black Hawk War. Henry played a major role in the Battle of Wisconsin Heights, leading elements of four mounted Illinois militia regiments in combat against Black Hawk's warriors. After the war, sick with "disease of the lungs," Henry sought respite in New Orleans where he died on March 5, 1834.

Early life James D. Henry was born in Pennsylvania in 1797. News reports in The Spectator (Edwardsville, Illinois) indicated that Smith was "killed in an affray" at the Stephenson House.

Winchester was the only defendant who wound up facing trial in the murder. Winchester's lawyer argued that Smith was guilty of verbal assault against the defendant and Winchester was found not guilty. The verdict was reported in The Spectator on March 22, 1825.

Military service Henry's first military experience came during the 1827 Winnebago War, while he was working as sheriff.

Tension rose through the late 1820s and early 1830s between the United States and Sauk leader Black Hawk's "British Band." On May 27, 1831, as a result of one of several Sauk "invasions" preceding the 1832 Black Hawk War, Illinois Governor John Reynolds called for 700 volunteer soldiers to meet at Beardstown on June 10. James D. Henry, by this time a lieutenant colonel in the Illinois militia, was put in command of a spy (i.e. scouting) battalion that was mustered into service in response to an April 16 call for volunteers. When a regiment of volunteers were raised they were put under the command of a Colonel Fry and Henry.

The U.S. force of 600-750 militiamen had picked up Black Hawk's trail following the Battle of Pecatonica. Colonel Henry Dodge and Henry pursued the band up the Rock River, engaging in minor skirmishes along the way. On 21 July 1832, the militia caught up with Black Hawk's band as they attempted to cross the Wisconsin River, in present-day Roxbury Township, in Dane County, near Sauk City, Wisconsin.

Late life and death When Henry returned from the Black Hawk War it was to public reception and recognition but his time on the campaign had ailed him. He sought respite in the warmer climates of the southern United States.

James D. Henry died in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 5, 1834, after contracting a "disease of the lungs." The city of Henry, Illinois, established the year he died, was named for him.