William Washington

Personal Facts

• Full Name: William Augustine Washington.
• Born: February 28, 1752, in Stafford County, Virginia.
• Parents: Bailey Washington (father) and Catherine Storke (mother).
• Spouse: Jane Riley Elliot (1782).
• Died: March 10, 1810, at Charleston, South Carolina. 58 years old.
• Buried: Elliot Family Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina.
• Significance: William Washington is important to American History because of his military service during the American Revolutionary War.

Biography

Early Life

• William Washington was born on February 28, 1752, on his family’s plantation in Stafford County, Virginia.
• He was related to George Washington. William’s grandfather, John, was the grandfather of George’s grandfather, Lawrence.
• Washington received some of his education from Reverend Dr. William Stuart and is believed to have been studying to be a minister at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War.

American Revolutionary War

Hugh Mercer and George Weedon formed the 3rd Virginia Regiment in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1775. On February 25, 1776, Washington became a Captain in the regiment, which marched to New York in August 1776.

Washington served in the New York Campaign (1776) and the New Jersey Campaign (1776–1777)

• He saw his first action of the war at Harlem Heights during the Battle of Long Island (August 27–28, 1776).
• During the Battle of Trenton (December 26, 1776), Washington led an attack on an artillery battery in King Street with Lieutenant James Monroe. Washington was wounded in the hand by a musket ball.

Washington served in the Philadelphia Campaign (1777–1778).

• On January 27, 1777, he was promoted to Major in the 4th Continental Dragoons (mounted infantry).
• He fought in the Battle of Brandywine (September 11, 1777), the Battle of Germantown (October 4, 1777), and the Battle of Monmouth (June 28, 1778).

Command of the 3rd Continental Dragoons

During the summer of 1778, Washington was assigned to the 3rd Continental Dragoons under the command of Colonel George Baylor. 

• Baylor and his men were following and harassing British forces gathering supplies along the Hudson River. 
• On September 28, 1778, Baylor and approximately 100 men were camped near Herringtown, New Jersey.

British troops led by General Charles Grey attacked the camp while the Americans were sleeping. Grey ordered his men to use bayonets and to give “no quarter,” which essentially means to refuse surrender and “take no prisoners.”

• The British attack was quick and deadly.
• As many as 30 Americans were killed, and the rest were either wounded or taken as prisoners. Baylor was captured
• Americans refer to it as the “Baylor Massacre” and the “Tappan Massacre.”

Afteward, Washington was given command of what remained of the 3rd Continental Dragoons on November 20, 1778, by General George Washington.

Southern Theater

In late 1779, Washington was sent to the Southern Theater with the 3rd Continental Dragoons to join the Southern Army, under the command of General Benjamin Lincoln.

Washington clashed with British cavalry officer Banastre Tarleton several times during the Siege of Charleston (April 1–May 12, 1780).

• On March 27, 1780, Washington defeated British forces led by Tarleton and Colonel John Hamilton at the Battle of Rantowle’s Bridge.
• Washington and his 3rd Dragoons were with American forces under the command of General Isaac Huger at Monck’s Corner. Tarleton attacked the camp on April 14, 1780, and routed the Americans. Both Huger and Washington escaped.
• Colonel Anthony White captured some of Tarleton’s men at Ball’s Plantation around May 5, 1780. White joined American forces at Lenud’s Ferry, which included Washington. Tarleton attacked the camp and routed the Americans. Washington and White survived the attack and escaped.

After Lenud’s Ferry, Washington and White withdrew to Halifax, North Carolina, to recover and recruit new soldiers.

Soon after, American forces surrendered Charleston to the British. With this, the British essentially had control of Georgia and South Carolina. Congress sent General Horatio Gates to North Carolina, where he organized a new Southern Army and marched into South Carolina to engage the British. However, Gates was defeated at the Battle of Camden (August 16, 1780) by General Charles Cornwallis. American survivors retreated to the area near Hillsborough, North Carolina, while Cornwallis prepared to move from South Carolina into North Carolina.

Greene Takes Command

General Nathanael Greene was given the command of the Southern Department of the Continental Army. He traveled to North Carolina, where he organized a new army and then divided it between himself and General Daniel Morgan.

• Greene spread his forces out over a stretch of 120 miles in South Carolina, between Cheraw (east) and Cowpens (west). Greene marched to Cheraw, while Morgan went to Cowpens.
• Washington and his dragoons were with Morgan.
• Cornwallis sent Tarleton and his dragoons in pursuit of Morgan.

Battle of Rugeley’s Mills

In early December 1780, Morgan learned that Loyalist forces led by Colonel Henry Rugely were operating near Camden, South Carolina. Morgan sent Washington and his dragoons to scout the area.

• Rugely and his men were at a farm north of Camden, where they occupied a barn that they had fortified and turned into a small fort.
• Washington and his men attacked on December 4, but the fort was too well-fortified, and the Loyalists held their position.
• Washington did not have artillery with him, so he decided to trick Rugely.
• He made a “Quaker Gun,” a fake cannon, from a pine log, and moved it in front of the fort.
• Washington ordered the Loyalists to surrender or be “blown to bits.”
• Rugely and his men surrendered and were taken back to the American camp.

Battle of Hammond’s Store

By the end of December 1780, Tarleton was closing in on Morgan, who was camped near Grindall’s Shoals on the Pacolet River in South Carolina. Morgan learned that Loyalists led by Thomas Waters were raiding settlements along Fairfort Creek, also called Fair Forest Creek, between the Pacolet River and the Enoree River. Morgan sent Washington to find the Loyalists and engage them.

• Washington located the Loyalists near Hammond’s Store, close to modern Clinton, South Carolina.
• Washington attacked and suffered no losses while killing or wounding about 150 Loyalists and capturing 40.
• This operation took place from December 27 to 31.

Battle of Cowpens

Tarleton continued his pursuit of Morgan, who moved his forces toward the road junction at Cowpens, South Carolina. Morgan’s forces started arriving there on January 16, 1781, including Washington’s dragoons and militia forces led by General Andrew Pickens of South Carolina. On the night of January 16–17, Morgan briefed his officers on his plan to counter Tarleton’s attack, which included three main lines of troops.

The first line of defense was a skirmish line on the slowly rising ground at the southeast end of the camp. Led by Major Joseph McDowell (North Carolina) and Captain Samuel Hammond (South Carolina), they were instructed to fire first and then fall back to a second militia line after the British deployed to attack.

The second militia line was led by Pickens. His men were positioned behind the crest of the hill where the first line of defense was located. At this place, the British would not be able to see Pickens and his men as they advanced. Morgan instructed Pickens to have his men fire twice, retreat, move behind the third line, and regroup to make another attack.

The third line, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Eager Howard, was made up of Continental and militia troops. They were to hold their ground and engage the British after Pickens moved behind them.

Washington and his dragoons were held in reserve and were placed behind the third line, on higher ground on the northwest corner of the camp. He was joined by South Carolina dragoons and additional cavalry forces.

While Morgan’s men were well-rested and prepared, Tarleton’s were exhausted after the lengthy pursuit of Morgan’s Army. Despite this, Tarleton mustered his men at 2:00 a.m. on the 17th and headed for Cowpens by 3:00, forcing his men to march 12 miles.

Tarleton’s Army approached from the southeast, moving along the Green River Road. The Battle of Cowpens started when he deployed his men and advanced on the American lines around 7:00.

• The first skirmish line fired on the British and fell back.
• The second line of militia held their positions, fired on the British twice, inflicting heavy casualties, and retreated.
• Tarleton reorganized his forces and resumed his advance.
• The third line of American forces held their ground.
• Tarleton countered by sending troops to attack the third line on both flanks.

Washington and his men charged from their position, attacking the British forces, who were moving on the north side of the third line. They overwhelmed the British and drove them back. Washington then regrouped his men and prepared to make another attack.

• Howard ordered his men to fall back in the face of the oncoming British forces. However, the retreat was done in an orderly fashion, allowing the men to turn and fire as they withdrew.
• The British became disorganized as they advanced.
• Washington attacked the British cavalry and scattered them, adding to the disorganization.
• Howard paused his retreat, turned his men around, and fired on the British, who were within 15 yards.

After firing on the British at close range, Howard ordered his men to execute a bayonet charge. At the same time, Washington and other cavalry forces attacked. The British fled and were fired on by Pickens and his militia.

• Tarleton tried to organize his dragoons to make a counter-attack, but it was too late.
• The Americans attacked the British artillery batteries.
• Tarleton went to recover the guns, but was driven away by Howard’s men.

Washington saw Tarleton and gave chase. According to many accounts, Washington fought his way through Tarleton’s men and engaged him directly. Both of them remained mounted on their horses as they fought with their swords until Tarleton fled.

AHC Notes

• Not all accounts agree that Washington fought Tarleton.
• John Marshall, the future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, recalled that he was a witness to the engagement.

Green’s Southern Campaign

Following the American victory at Cowpens, Greene and Morgan retreated toward Virginia. Cornwallis pursued them into North Carolina, but the Americans were able to cross the Dan River and escape. Washington helped cover the rear of the army during these movements.

Cornwallis took his men to Hillsborough, North Carolina, to rest them. Soon after, Greene resumed his campaign, which was a series of attacks and retreats that were designed to slowly weaken British forces. Washington’s dragoons played an important role in these events, as he led attacks and helped cover retreats.

Guilford Courthouse

On March 15, 1781, the armies of Greene and Cornwallis clashed at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina. Although the British won the battle, they suffered losses that forced Cornwallis to withdraw to Wilmington, North Carolina.

• Washington led the Continental dragoons on the American right flank. 
• He helped protect retreating militia and launched counterattacks against the British. 
• His dragoons charged the British lines twice, inflicting heavy losses before being forced to withdraw under artillery fire.
• Despite the loss, Greene’s Army survived, regrouped, and continued to harass the British.

Hobkirk’s Hill

On April 25, 1781, Greene clashed with British forces led by General Francis Rawdon-Hastings (Lord Rawdon) near Camden, South Carolina. Once again, the British won the battle, but suffered heavy casualties. Rawdon was forced to abandon Camden, which ended British control of western South Carolina. Greene’s army survived again, despite heavy casualties.

• Washington and his dragoons were ordered to attack the British rear.
• Due to rough terrain, they had to take a wider route, which delayed them.

They encountered fleeing British troops and support personnel. Instead of attacking the rear, Washington and his men stopped to take prisoners. Some historians believe that if Washington had pressed the attack on the British rear, Greene might have defeated Rawdon.

• Greene was forced to withdraw from the battle.
• Upon learning of this, Washington released captured officers, gathered 50 prisoners, and returned to the battlefield.
• He saved the American artillery by using his horses to tow the guns to safety.
• Washington returned to the battlefield, where he ambushed a contingent of British dragoons led by Captain John Coffin.

Eutaw Springs

The last major battle of the war in South Carolina took place on September 8, 1781, when Green’s forces clashed with Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Stewart’s British forces near Nelson’s Ferry on the Santee River. Greene launched a surprise attack on the British camp and initially routed the British. However, many of the American troops stopped to plunder the camp, which gave the British time to organize and launch a counterattack. Greene withdrew to save his army, and the British fell back to Charleston.

• Washington and his dragoons were at the rear of Greene’s Army during the battle.
• During the British counterattack, Washington’s horse was shot and fell.
• Washington suffered a bayonet wound and was taken prisoner.

Later Years

Washington was taken to Charleston, where he remained for the rest of the war. While there, he married Jane Elliott on April 21, 1782. They lived on her plantation, upriver from Charleston, and bought a townhouse in the city in 1785.

• He served 17 years in the South Carolina legislature but refused to run for the office of Governor.
• On July 19, 1798, during the French Crisis, he was commissioned as a Brigadier General in the army. He remained in service until June 15, 1800.
• Washington died at his home in Charleston on March 6, 1810.