|
History
Edward Hand (1744-1802) was Physician, Colonial Army Officer, and Congressman. He was born in King's County, Ireland. He pursued a career in medicine. To avoid a five year doctor's apprenticeship, he joined the British Army as a Surgeon's Mate and was sent to America in 1767. Hand was fascinated by America's "self-government" Experiment. He left the British Army in 1774 and settled in Lancaster. When Revolutionary War began, he was made a Lieutenant Colonel of the Pennsylvania Riflemen in the American Army. The Pennsylvania riflemen were comprised mostly of young men from around Lancaster. Through Hand's leadership the Pennsylvania riflemen were regarded as one of the American Armies best fighting units. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1777 and given command of Fort Pitt (in western Pennsylvania), where he mostly fought Loyalists and Indians. In 1780, he was promoted to Brigade Commander of Lafayette's Light Infantry Division. George Washington made Hand Adjunct General of the the American Army in February 1781. Hand prepared and lead the siege of Yorktown, which lead to the surrender of General Charles Cornwallis and the British Army (October 19, 1781). Hand remained Adjunct General of the American Army until 1783. After resigning from the Military, Hand served in the Continental Congress (1783-1784) and signed the Pennsylvania State Constitution (1790). Edward Hand died in Lancaster on September 3, 1802 of cholera. He is buried in St. James's Episcopal Cemetery.
Content Last Modified on 12/17/2002 3:16:08 PM
|
