Henry C. Lester

Henry Clay Lester
Court Clerk for the 3rd Judicial District Court of Minnesota
In office
1857–1861
County Clerk of Livingston County, New York
Personal details
BornNovember 1830 (1830-11)
DiedApril 5, 1902(1902-04-05) (aged 71)
Resting placeTemple Hill Cemetery
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch/serviceUnion Army
Years of service1861-1862
Rank Colonel
Unit1st Minnesota Infantry Regiment
3rd Minnesota Infantry Regiment
CommandsCompany K, 1st Minnesota Infantry Regiment
3rd Minnesota Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
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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.