An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., 
The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 440-441

	MAJOR M.C. HENSLEE, a real-estate dealer of Vancouver, was born in Jackson
county, Tennessee, July 9, 1827, a son of John Henslee, a native of North
Carolina and a farmer by occupation. He located in Polk county, Missouri, in
1835. His ancestors came to America from England early in the seventeenth
century. The mother of our subject, nee Matilda Kemp, was also a native of North
Carolina. The parents both died in the same year, in 1872.
	M.C. Henslee, the third of four children, and the only son, was early inured
to farm life, and followed that honorable calling until 1861. He then entered
the Federal army, was first attached to the Third Missouri Cavalry, served as
private eleven days, then held a Captain's commission until 1864, and in that
year was promoted to the rank of Major. He served with distinction until the
close of the war, and participated in many battles of the Southwest, but was
more prominently identified with guerrilla warfare in Missouri. Major Henslee
was wounded at the battle of Springfield, Missouri, in 1863, but soon recovered
and resumed his command. He participated perhaps in one of the worst guerrilla
engagements connected with his war record. The fight occurred on Spring river,
Jasper county, Missouri, near French Point. His command at that time was divided
into three detachments, and, in order to more favorably intercept the notorious
guerrilla band commanded by Livingston, took different routes. The Major's squad
consisted only of fifty-four men. He gave orders to the other detachments to
meet at a given point and report quickly on hearing any firing, but before
reaching the designated  rendezvous known as French Point he came upon the
enemy. Giving the alarm of four distinct shots, he followed, but failed to find
them where he expected, they having retreated a distance of one mile, and laid
in ambush for the hated Yankees. With no other alternative, he charged the
enemy, in hopes of soon having reinforcements from the other squads. The ground
was well selected and very favorable to the enemy. Leaving his command in charge
of Captain Cozart, with instructions to lead the men rapidly to the attack,
Major Henslee rode to the top of the hill to signal the others to join him. But
the firing caused his horse to scare, and in his effort to hold him the
curb-chain broke and he became unmanageable. The horse took his own course,
which led him past the advanced guard, but, though having no control over the
animal, Major Henslee managed to convey his orders to them to advance to the top
of the hill and join in the attack. Just at this time a volley from the enemy
killed two horses and one man near his side. He was carried through the enemy's
midst, was shot at several times, but fortunately was unhurt. After getting to
the rear of the enemy his horse became tired, and he started to join his
command. Not knowing the exact route, he again found himself in the enemy's
midst, but succeeded in gaining the top of the bluff, and beheld his own men
dismounted and in full retreat, apparently panic-stricken. Pushing on toward his
men he checked their flight, and about the same time heard the guerrilla chief
order his men to dismount. As soon as the order had been executed the retreating
blue coats made a final charge and became the victors, completely routing and
scattering the enemy, captured their horses, and thus reversed the situation!
	Major Henslee was mustered out of service at St. Louis, Missouri, April 13,
1865. He soon afterward returned to his old home, was subsequently engaged in
mercantile pursuits three years, and later became connected with the drug trade
at Modena, Mercer county, Missouri. In 1871 he came to Clarke county,
Washington, where he again became a tiller of the soil, but since 1876 has been
a resident of Vancouver, and engaged in the real-estate business. Major Henslee
owns twenty-four acres of valuable fruit property near this city, and his
orchard will probably yield fifty tons of green fruit the present year. He also
owns city property.
	In May, 1850, in Missouri, our subject was united in marriage with Miss
Leanah Metcalf, a native of Kentucky. They have had eleven children, six of whom
are now living, -- Cordelia J., Margaret E., Emmett A., Edward F., Bedford A.
and Charles N. Cordelia is now the wife of James Lewis, and Margaret is now Mrs.
T.J. Crawford. The deceased children are: James W., who died September 23, 1864;
John W., January 15, 1855; Matilda C., May 16, 1863; Cosby A., July 16, 1863;
and Ella W., April 12, 1876. In his political relations, Major Henslee unites
with the Republican party; and socially he is a member of the G.A.R.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer

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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.