McIver spent first ten years of his life in Virginia, USA, and then he was sent to his uncle, General Donald Graham, to finish school and prepare for West Point. General Graham - an experienced warrior and adventurer - influenced young Henry very much. Instead of West Point, McIver joined the private army of the East India Company when he was only 16 years old. He was sent to India in 1858. At that time, the Sepoy Mutiny (Sepoy - native soldiers in the East Indian Company army) raged in India. In his first battle, McIver was wounded seriously.