Born in 1825 in Virginia, Henry Heth graduated from West Point in 1847 and served out west until resigning his commission in April 1861. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1862, fought at Chancellorsville and commanded the division that made initial contact with the Union forces at Gettysburg.

As division commander in the Third Corps, Heth participated in much of the fighting around Petersburg including Weldon Railroad, Reams Station, Peebles Farm, Burgess Mill and Hatcher's Run.

At the close of the war he worked in the insurance business and later served the government as a surveyor and in the Office of Indian Affairs. He died in 1899.