The National Park Service, while conceding that tradition places the Henry County militia at the battle, claims that no documentary evidence places the unit there. Nevertheless, says the National Service, "how many, if any, were in the battle is unknown."[1]
The first organizer of militia troops from Henry and Pittsylvania Counties, Col. Penn issued an order on March 11, 1781, ordering his regiment of militia to leave Beaver Creek to reinforce General Nathanael Greene at Guilford Court House. Penn's order may have allowed his regiment to reach the battle in time for the engagement four days later, on March 15, 1781. The text of Penn's order read: "Henry County, Va. You are forthwith required to march the militia under your command from this county to Hillsborough, North Carolina, or to any post where General Stevens may be with the men under his command, observing to avoid a surprise by the enemy, by the best route to be found. Given under my hand this 11th day of March 1781. Abraham Penn, Col. Henry County. General order for Major George Waller."[2]
