Bedford County/Campbell County

Bedford County Bedford County was probably named for the English statesman John Russell, fourth duke of Bedford. Russell, as secretary of state for the Southern Department from 1748 to 1751, had general supervision of colonial affairs. Bedford was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753 and parts of Albemarle and Lunenburg Counties were later added. The county seat is Bedford. The scenic Peaks of Otter as well as Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's country retreat, are located in this county. Campbell County Campbell County was formed from Bedford County in 1781 and named for Gen. William Campbell, one of the heroes of the Battle of King’s Mountain in 1780. The county seat is Rustburg. British Lt. Col. Bonastre Tarleton passed through the area in July 1781 to burn supplies in Bedford County. During the Civil War, Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early defeated Union forces under Maj. Gen. David Hunter at the Battle of Lynchburg, fought partly in Campbell County, 16–18 June 1864.