Military officer; born in
Prince George county, Va., in 1742; was, by his maternal side, fourth in descent from
Pocahontas (q. v.), his mother being
Jane Rolfe.
John Randolph was his nephew.
He received the degree of M. D. at
Edinburgh, returned home in 1764, and practised medicine.
Bland led volunteers in opposing
Governor Dunmore, and published some bitter letters against that officer over the signature of “
Cassius.”
He became captain of the 1st Troop of
Virginia cavalry, and joined the main Continental army as lieutenant-colonel in 1777.
Brave, vigilant, and judicious, he was intrusted with the command of
Burgoyne's captive troops at Albemarle Barracks in
Virginia; and was member of the Continental Congress in 1780-83.
In the legislature and in the convention of his State he opposed the adoption of the national Constitution; but represented
Virginia in the first Congress held under it, dying while it was in session.
Colonel Bland was a poet as well as a soldier and patriot.
The
Bland papers, containing many valuable memorials of the Revolution, were edited and published by
Charles Campbell in 1840-43.
He died in New York City. June 1, 1790.