William Augustine Washington
Biography
Born in Stafford County, Virginia. A distant relative of George. Married.
He entered the army and fought in the battle of Long Island. At Trenton he served with lieutenant James Monroe and was severly wounded. Fought at the battle of Princeton. Led his cavalry against the British at Cowpens and was again wounded. He was wounded and taken prisoner at the Battle of Eutaw Springs. He was interned at Charleston until the end of the war.
Elected to the South Carolina Legislature. He died in Charleston, South Carolina.
Congress honored Washington with a silver medal (Betts 594) by resolution March 9, 1781, for his victory at Cowpens. The medal was by DuVivier. The mint copied the dies (Julian MI-8) for 47 mm restrikes. A modern 45 mm bronze copy (USM 405) was produced by the mint. A 38 mm pewter Washington medal was included with "America's First Medals" produced about 1976.
bio: ApCAB; Drake; Failor; Loubat; NCAB 2
Source credit: Pete Smith, American Numismatic Biographies