The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Washington, William Augustine

WASHINGTON, William Augustine, an American soldier, born in Stafford co., Va., Feb. 28, 1752, died in Charleston, S. C., March 6, 1810. He was the son of Baily Washington, and was educated for the ministry, but entered the continental army with the rank of captain. He took part in the battles of Long Island, Trenton, and Princeton, and afterward commanded a troop of light horse in South Carolina. For his conduct in the battle of Cowpens he received a silver medal from congress. He was captured at Eutaw Springs (1781) and kept a prisoner till the close of the war, when he settled in Charleston. In 1798 he was made a member of Gen. Washington's staff with the rank of brigadier general.