William Washington: Cavalryman of the Revolution 

Review by George Thurmond (Georgia Society SAR)

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William, second cousin of George Washington, stepped up early to fight for independence. He first served in the Infantry as a Captain and fought in the early battles around New York. Later he was able to transfer to the Continental Light Dragoons where he distinguished himself a number of times. William fought at the historic battle of Trenton as an infantry officer where he gained a reputation for being clear headed in the midst of combat. At the great victory of Trenton, William and his second in command, James Monroe, were both wounded. William was assigned to escort the prisoners taken to Philadelphia, which prevented him from participating in the follow up battle of Princeton. He served as a Cavalry Officer in the Middle States until 1779, during which time he was promoted to Major and later as Lt Colonel and Commander of the 3rd Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons. With the shift in British policy to invade the South, William was assigned to join General Benjamin Lincoln in Charleston, South Carolina. William participated in a number of skirmishes during the period prior to the surrender of the command. It was during this time that he met Jane Elliott, daughter of a wealthy Planter at nearby Sandy Hill. The seventeen year old presented William with an 18-inch cloth taken from the drapery of her room as the "Regimental Colors." This flag became known as the "Eutaw Flag." William's real fame occurred from his heroics at the Battle of Cowpens. For his courage and decisive action, William was awarded a Silver Medal by the Continental Congress. (It would take 10 years for Congress to fulfill this action!). His action at Guilford Courthouse was equally impressive. However, he received setbacks at Hobkirk's Hill and Eutaw Springs where he was wounded and captured. William married Jane Elliott whose 44-year-old father had died one day prior to William's famous duel with Lt Colonel Banastre Tarleton at the Battle of Cowpens. Following the war, William settled on his wife's Sandy Hill Plantation to take up the life of a Planter in his adopted state of South Carolina. He lived out his life with distinction, passing away at age 58 in 1810. He and his wife are buried at "Live Oak," a plantation near Sandy Hill.

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