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Line 116: While Henry was returning, the [[Third Virginia Convention]] in August commissioned him as colonel of the [[1st Virginia Regiment]], and he took it up later that month. Although Henry had little military experience, this was not considered a major drawback at the time, and he was held to have distinguished himself in the march on Williamsburg. General Washington, though, felt that the convention had "made a Capital mistake when they took Henry out of the Senate to place him in the Field".{{sfn|Kukla|pp=189–190}} In September, Virginia's [[Committees of safety (American Revolution)|Committee of Safety]] placed Henry in charge of all of Virginia's forces.{{sfn|Kidd|p=109}} Henry moved to organize his regiment, and had no difficulty recruiting men.<ref name = "a" /> As commander, he organized [[Virginia State Navy#American Revolutionary War|a navy]].{{sfn|Kukla|pp=201–202}} In November 1775, Dunmore, who though he had abandoned Williamsburg still held Norfolk, issued a proclamation offering freedom to any black slave or [[indentured servant]] willing and able to serve in his forces, which already included several hundred former slaves. Henry wrote to all [[county Henry saw no action himself, and there were murmurs in the convention against his command; some feared he was too radical to be an effective military leader. In February 1776, Virginia's forces were reorganized as they were placed under Continental command. Henry was to retain his rank of colonel, but was placed under a former subordinate. Henry refused and resigned his commission; his troops were outraged by the slight to him, and considered leaving service, but he calmed the situation.{{sfn|Kukla|pp=201–204}} | |||