El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-03-30
Gen. Vim. Washington
Is 4 Forgotten Hero
Relative OF Gen. George Washing
ton Does Heroic Service For
His Country and Refuses
GoVernorahin-
By MADISON C.. PETERS.
---------.---. ----------- L .-----
copyright, 1915. By Madison C. Peters

EN WILLIAM WASHINGTON,
who was called colonel to dis
/ - tinguish himself from his rela-
I tive, George washington, is one Of
I the many high-minded, chivslrous
I spirits OF the revolution who find no
place in the encyclopedias Of Ameri-
can biography. and whose recogni-
/ ton in history is so slight as to put
him in that long list OF unknown
I patrons-forgOtten By an ungrateful
/ republic, though in his lifetime he
was called "the modern MarcelIus,"
Z s'the Sword Of His Country"
He was the eldest son Of Bailey
I Washington. of Stafford county Vir-
] GINA Designed for the church, he
/ had made exceptional progress In ms
| studies. particularly in Greek, when
: they were interrupted and PROBES
! sion interfered with by his love OF his
! country He was one or the earliest
] TO engage in the struggle as COM
mGnder Of a company OF infantry lH
l the Third regiment Of the virginia
{ lire.
His conduct at York Island and his
fortitude in the retreat through New
I Jersey. where he was wounded when
/ leading one of the assailing columns
alHAAA A-aH
IN n one Of the light dragons com
handed by Lieut. Col Baylor, which
was surprised by Cen Grey and al
most cut TO pieces, MAJ W aslln lon
made his escape. In lfls he served
Z under Gen Benjamin Lincoln IN
Z South Carolina, where he was con-
stantly employed with the light
troops encouuteriug the enemy near
AshIerv Ferry. where he drove back
Q 7wnunn#1Hn taking several prisoner
Z Tarleton and Washington were per
sonally engaged in this fight in
which the former lost several Of his
I fingers from stroke Of Washing
Gen Gates refusal TO come 10
Washington's help with proper equip
ment was severely punished In the
battle Of Camden with the presence
Of superior cavalry led By such
gallant soldier as Washington was
/ conceded 10 be. he might at least
have prevented the terrible slaugh-
ter upon that i'll fated field
As lieutenant colonel he was at
tached to Gen. Dan Morgan's corps,
carrying the post at RuEelys By an
ingenious strategem-
For Col. Washington's brilliant vic
tory at Cowpens, congress voted him
a silver medal
At GuiIford Court House he aided
Gen. Greene in battling the efforts
F
battle BE crowned his military ca
reer with signal courage at the bat
tie Of Eutaw. where his horse was
shot under him and. becoming en-
tangled as he fell in the ranks Of the
enemy. he was made a prisoner. He
remained a prisoner until the close
Of the war. when he settled in
Charleston though passing most OF
his lime on a plantation so miles
away
Refuses TO Be Governor.
After successfully serving his
adopted state in the legislature, he
declined 10 become a candidate for
governor for three reasons:
First-BeCause he believed a gov
ernor should be a native OF the state
which he ruled
Second-On the score OF uualifica-
tion, he would not put his talents in
competition with ADLER men
Thirds governor he would be
obliged 70 speak; Il cannot make a
speech" was his ultimatum.
When George Washington became
commanders Of the army iu the presI-
dency Of John Adams. he selected his
relative 20 be one OF hiss taft with
the rank OF hrigadier general
he was rich. hOspitable. generous,
Benevolent, upright, and courteous
His death occurred March s. 1910.