"W” is for Washington, William (1752-1810). Soldier. In 1775, Washington, a native of Virginia, joined the Stafford County militia. That unit was integrated into the Third Virginia Regiment of the Continental Army. By the end of 1779 he had advanced to lieutenant colonel, commanding the Third Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons. The unit was ordered south to join patriot forces in South Carolina. Washington’s dragoons saw action prior to the fall of Charleston and was outside the city when it surrendered. In January 1781 Washington commanded a combined cavalry force at the Battle of Cowpens that was instrumental in the victory there. At the Battle of Eutaw Springs, he was seriously wounded and captured. He spent the remainder of the war as a POW in Charleston. After the war William Washington remained in South Carolina.