does me the highest
honor. This kind testimony of your regard to me would have
been an ample reward for services much greater than I have
had the power to perform. I return you, and each of you,
gentlemen, my best acknowledgments for the spirit, alacrity,
and zeal you have constantly shown in your several stations.
I am unhappy to part with you. I leave the service, but I
leave my heart with you. May God bless you, and give you
success and safety, and make you the glorious instruments of
saving our country.[221]

The grief and indignation thus exhibited by the officers who had
served under Patrick Henry soon showed itself in a somewhat violent
manner among the men. The "Virginia Gazette" for that time states
that, "after the officers had received Colonel Henry's kind answer to
their address, they insisted upon his dining with them at the Raleigh
Tavern, before his departure; and after the dinner, a number of them
proposed escorting him out of town, but were prevented by some
uneasiness getting among the soldiery, who assembled in a tumultuous
manner and demanded their discharge, and declared their unwillingness
to serve under any other commander. Upon which Colonel Henry found it
necessary to stay a night longer in town, which he spent in visiting
the several barracks; and used every argument in his power with the
soldiery to lay aside their imprudent resolution, and to continue in
the service, which he had quitted from motives in which his honor
alone was concerned."[222] Moreover, several days after he had left
the camp altogether and had returned to his home, he was followed by
an address signed by ninety officers belonging not only to his own
regiment, but to that of Colonel Woodford,--a document which has no
little value as presenting strongly one side of contemporary military
opinion respecting Patrick Henry's career as a soldier, and the
treatment to which he had been subjected.

SIR,--Deeply concerned for the good of our country, we
sincerely lament the unhappy necessity of your resignation,
and with all the warmth of affection assure you that,
whatever may have given rise to the indignity lately offered
to you, we join with the general voice of the people, and
think it our duty to make this public declaration of our
high respect for your distinguished merit. To your vigilance
and judgment, as a senator, this United Continent