STORIES OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS

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William Washington

" William Washington was a native of Stafford County, Virginia. He was a distant relative of George Washington and among the first of the chivalric sons of the Old Dominion to respond to the thrilling war cry, Liberty or death. He commenced his military career in command of a company of infantry in the 3d regiment of the Virginia line commanded by Colonel Mercer. Captain Washington first distinguished himself for undaunted courage at York Island and in New Jersey. When General Washington attacked Colonel Ralle in command of the Hessians at Trenton, Capt. Washington led the advance of one of the columns. He received a musket ball through one of his hands which was not mentioned by him until after the enemy had surrendered. Soon after the brilliant affair at Trenton and Princeton he was transferred to Colonel Baylor's regiment of cavalry with the rank of major and proceeded to Virginia with the regiment to increase its strength with fresh recruits. In 1775 this regiment was surprised by a superior force under Major- General Grey and nearly annihilated. Major Washington escaped and was then put in command of the consolidated remnants of the cavalry regiments of Cols. Baylor, Bland and Maylan and ordered to report himself to General Lincoln in South Carolina. He was in constant service from the time of his arrival. His corps suffered at the battle of Monk's Corner and at Leneau's Ferry. He then proceeded with Colonel White to North Carolina for the purpose of raising recruits. This laudable project was not approved by General Gates for reasons not explained which formed a link in his chain of disasters. Colonel Washington proceeded to replenish his regiment and resumed field service under General Morgan. At Cowpens, Hobbick's Hill, Eutaw, Guilford Court House, Colonel Washington gained increasing epic laurels for himself and Spartan corps. At the battle of Eutaw he was unfortunately taken prisoner and not exchanged until after the surrender of Yorktown. In 1782 he led the amiable and accomplished Miss Elliott to the hymeneal altar and located at the ancestral seat of his wife at Sandy Hill in South Carolina. He there enjoyed life with his family and friends in the happy way that Virginians well understand and fully exemplify. A braver soldier, a more noble and generous man than Colonel Washington did not exist in the human family. He made his final exit in 1810."

Source: The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution by L. Carroll Judson