march july continental_army officer maryland american revolutionary war participated battles war new_york new_jersey southern theaters eventually ending career brigadier general born rural maryland williams spent childhood near present day orphaned age thirteen care father brother law ross williams took ross studied profession clerk office frederick eventually taking charge office age eighteen williams moved baltimore undertook similar trade williams returned frederick entered commercial life response congress soldiers outbreak american revolutionary war spring williams joined continental_army rifle unit commissioned officer soon unit marched seeing significant combat action late battle fort washington williams captured british imprisoned new_york released early returned continental_army colonel 6th maryland regiment position acquired captivity williams led regiment southern campaign notably battles near end war williams sent commanding officer general documents congress promoted brigadier general war williams later served associate justice commissioner port baltimore returned bought house surrounding land began laying town washington offered williams brigadier general army declined failing health williams died years later travelling virginia early life born march generation family born ancestors having emigrated wales year life lived parents joseph family settled mouth near present day family home listed national_register_of_historic_places shortly placed thirteen year old son care brother law ross worked clerk office studying duties office williams took charge office moving baltimore similar employment age eighteen spring williams returned frederick entered commercial life early war june soldiers williams joined maryland lieutenant company marched soon company arrival boston williams promoted command company order june rifle company integrated maryland colonel moses lieutenant colonel williams major regiment action williams taken prisoner british taken new_york rank permitted large parole time new_york common british officers insulting american prisoners pointed questions trade entered service high ranking british officer asked question williams replied profession taught resist punish profession follow reputation suggested officer offended informed command new_york garrison williams sending military information george_washington contrary terms parole williams promptly arrested confined sixteen square foot square meter room ventilation city jail shared possible captors health affected point fully recovered imprisonment surrender general williams exchanged january imprisonment williams promoted colonel given command 6th maryland regiment shortly release stated letter governor maryland regiment contained effective men clothed stated desire join army soon possible certainly better reinforced regiment colonel colonel regiment joining washington army shortly learned regiment noted discipline unable stand line battle soon took effective command 6th maryland regiment known equal superior army southern campaign unsuccessful attempt capture savannah georgia command general continental_army retreated charleston south_carolina general sir moved forces surrounded city lincoln army located cut chance relief continental_army prior surrender lincoln able messages congress requesting aid end april washington dispatched general maryland delaware troops large portion force williams serving post adjutant general general general forces took month descend chesapeake_bay arrive virginia middle june month lincoln surrendered army appointed command assumed command july immediately marched south_carolina intent engaging british_army command williams served deputy adjutant general gates battle brief aggressive maneuvering threatened british position carolinas moved forces engage american forces armies met august miles north south_carolina tactical errors achieved decisive victory deserted commander facing opposition sides continental_army forced retreat engagement williams stationed rear army unable contribute end general mortally wounded prior death days later paid glowing tribute maryland troop command house successful retreat williams led men highly successful rear guard actions checking enemy advance british attempt bring american army general engagement general chose offer battle general forces march ground choosing inside city limits present day north_carolina british forces broken line second line virginia militia threatened line 1st maryland regiment command colonel 2nd maryland regiment command colonel stewart broke 2nd maryland regiment captured field pieces threatened rear 1st maryland forces engaged sizable force command colonel 1st maryland regiment charged swept forces field turned face oncoming guards unit brief exchange musket fire 1st maryland commander horse shot 1st maryland regiment charged guards unit quickly routed able battle point ordered retreat maryland troops soon forced withdraw retreat 6th williams acted rear guard army credited holding british forces allowing forces safety recognition williams gallantry appointed post adjutant general army battle springs divided distinct engagements action given following order williams let williams advance sweep field 6th advanced broke british line forcing fall miles allowing continental_army gain control americans began camp allowed time british form new line anchored stone house continental_army unable later day near close war sent general dispatches congress promoted later life war williams returned maryland settled baltimore soon appointed commissioner port governor maryland appointment renewed george_washington assumed presidency united_states original member cincinnati elected treasurer november married wife mary second daughter sons year following marriage williams bought father house near dedicated improving farm laying town maryland named honor williams wanted capital united_states located wrote letter washington effect november map town washington thought highly williams refused rank brigadier general president united_states secretary war write williams asking accept position position williams second command citing poor health ambition position williams declined appointment december williams accepted invitation serve associate justice health deteriorating williams induced try sea airs barbados afforded benefits reaching way ill travel tuesday july age died remains interred simple monument summit hill homestead wife died year later leaving children orphaned care father
Otho Holland Williams