Edward McKenry was born in 1753 in Rockbridge County, Virginia.
In October 1777, Edward was mustered into Capt. John Steel’s Company of Col. Malcom’s Regiment of the Continental Army. Col. William Malcolm commanded Malcolm’s Additional Continental Regiment in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. This regiment was authorized by the Continental Congress on Jan. 7, 1777, and saw service primarily in the Hudson Highlands area of New York. On Nov. 1, 1777, Edward McKenry was made a sergeant in the company. The regiment wintered at Valley Forge and Edward appears on a muster roll in the winter of 1778 that was taken there.
The Continental Army, led by Gen. George Washington, endured a harsh winter encampment at Valley Forge during 1777-1778. Despite facing severe shortages of food, clothing and supplies, and dealing with disease and low morale, the army emerged from Valley Forge a more disciplined and cohesive fighting force. This transformation was partly due to the training provided by Baron von Steuben, a Prussian military officer who instilled European-style discipline…