User:Oldsanfelipe2/William H Christy

Early life
William H. Christy was born on December 6, 1791 to George and Mary (Cave) Christy in Georgetown, Kentucky. He was the beneficiary of a large estate after the death of both of his parents around 1805.

Military service
Christy was reading law, but abandoned his studies in order to volunteer for the War of 1812. General William Henry Harrison assigned him as storekeeper and quartermaster at Fort Miegs in Ohio. He gained the moniker of "hero of Fort Miegs" for his actions during an attack on May 5, 1813. Although wounded in the confrontation with a group of natives led by Tecumseh, he eluded the enemy and alerted reinforcements in the area, who were able to rally the Americans and drive out the attackers. The next year he received a promotion to Second Lieutenant in the First United States Infantry.

New Orleans merchant
Christy is associated with the Long expedition, a filibuster movement in Spanish or Mexican Texas in 1819 and 1820. He conspired with José Félix Trespalacios, John Austin, and Ben Milam to equip and organize a force to join James Long's filibuster in Texas.

Death and legacy
Christy died on November 7, 1865. He co-founded the first orphans’ home in New Orleans.