Jonathan Reed

Henry H. Brillhart, youngest son of Daniel and Catherine Shultz Brillhart, a grandson of John and Susan Deordorf Brillhart, was born Jan. 8, 1841, at Catawba, Roanoke County, Virginia. He was three years old when his father died. At his father's death his mother was left to raise six sons. At the age of seven he entered school, going during the winter months and during this time he learned a piece of poetry, "The Sailor Boy", which he remembered and recited in his old age to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He acquired a common school education and at the age of sixteen years began to teach school and taught five terms. He joined the Confederate Army and went through the battle of Chancellorsville. He came home for vacation, then went to Allegheny County and joined another artillery unit. Here he was arrested and kept handcuffed four days and afterwards was sent to his commander at Richmond, Virginia. Here he did not enter battle but made out he was seriously sick, so the chief sergeant sent him to Chimbarazo Hospital, Richmond, Virginia, where he remained one month, fooling all his doctors. He was then transferred to a hospital at Lynchburg, Virginia, where he stayed a month. From here he asked for a discharge to go to his command in the Shenandoah Valley with General Early. From here he with five others went through the lines crossing seven big mountains. They came out at New Creek Station on the B & O Railroad. From here he went to Crestline, Ohio. This was in Sept. 1864. He worked for a man on a farm till May 1865 and then came home and on Jan. 9, 1866, was united in marriage to Elizabeth Garman.