William Washington and Jane Elliot
The spring of 1780 was a foreboding time in South Carolina history. British General Sir Henry Clinton and 8,000 soldiers had landed unopposed on Seabrook Island on Feb. 11. Banastre Tarleton had landed in Savannah with his British Legion, which were actually all rough shod Americans from up north.
Tarleton’s trip south was a nightmare. The ships ran into a tempest off of Cape Hatteras, and, to keep the ships from foundering, 400 horses were thrown overboard. Tarleton now had to resupply his men as he began marching north towards Charleston, raiding plantations for horses as he went.
William Washington (George Washington’s 2nd cousin once removed) was America’s finest cavalryman, even though it would be several months before he firmly established that accolade. In the meantime, George Washington sent his cousin south in December of 1779 to counter British activities emanating from Savannah, which had fallen a year earlier.
Tarleton and Washington met in combat for the first time on March 27, 1780. This would be the first of five dramatic battles they would fight, with William Washington prevailing in the end.
Tarleton had set his sights on raiding Gov. John Rutledge’s plantation on the Stono River. The neighboring plantation belonged to Charles Elliott.
In order to raid these plantations, Tarleton had to cross Rantowle’s Creek. A narrow causeway led to the bridge. Washington and his men crossed this bridge and captured 2 officers and a few other men 100 yds. from Tarleton’s lines, then they retreated as Tarleton gave chase.
Tarleton’s men were strung out single file along the narrow causeway and Washington saw an opportunity for attack. He charged and was able to capture additional prisoners. By the time this minor battle was over Washington had captured 15 prisoners with only minimal casualties to his troops. Tarleton retreated.
The battle, however, is not the end of this story. As Washington and his men were celebrating the victory they received the sincere gratitude of widower Charles Elliot and his only child, a 17 yr old daughter named Jane, who is described as “fetching”.
William Washington was a 28 yr old bachelor. He spent less than a day at the Elliot plantation before leaving to fight other battles in the Siege of Charleston. While William was at the Elliot plantation Jane asked him what flag he fought under. William replied that he had no flag.
Jane then took a pair of scissors to her father’s imported red damask curtains and cut out a square. The square contained the national symbol of Scotland, which is a thistle bud.
For the rest of the war, Jane Elliot was behind enemy lines. For the next 16 months William Washington achieved fame and glory as America’s best cavalryman. He was instrumental in the victories at Rugely’s Fort, Hammond’s Old Store, Cowpens, the Race to the Dan, Guilford Courthouse, Hobkirk’s Hill and Ninety Six (many of these “victories” were tactical defeats, but strategic victories).
By August and September of 1781 the British forces had been pushed back to within about 50 miles of Charleston. William Washington had been operating under the command of Gen. Nathanial Greene, and Greene caught up with the British Army at a place called Eutaw Springs on Sept 8, 1781. This became the bloodiest battle ever fought in South Carolina.
As was William Washington’s style, he charged the British right flank. However, a thicket of black jack oak thwarted his charge and his horse was killed. His horse then fell on him and helpless William Washington was bayoneted. As soon as another bayonet was raised to deliver a final death blow, William Washington’s life was saved by British Maj. John Majoribanks, who is a true British hero in his own right.
William Washington was now a POW, and he was escorted to Charleston, where he remained as an injured paroled prisoner until the British sailed away in December of 1782.
Our love story, however, does not end there. Wounded William Washington received special nursing care from none other than the fetching lass Jane Elliot. They hadn’t seen each other for 16 terrifying months. There is no record that they communicated during this time.
As William Washington recovered, the couple began to be seen strolling arm in arm along the streets of Charleston. The British commander at this time was Gen Alexander Leslie. He and William had fought against each other at Guilford Courthouse.
Gen Leslie permitted a grand wedding between William and Jane to occur on April 21, 1782.
When William married Jane he became instantly wealthy. Her father died in the spring of 1781, and she was his only heir. William devoted his activities to raising and racing horses, a lifelong passion of his.
The couple had two children, a boy and a girl. They built a house in Charleston on South Battery, a house that still stands today. William died in 1810 and Jane died in 1830.
Before Jane died she donated the square of damask curtain to the Washington Light Infantry Museum. This piece of curtain has forevermore been known as the Eutaw Flag. There is no recorded instance of it ever having flown in battle, other than Jane’s assertion. Whether the flag flew or not, the Eutaw Flag is an everlasting memorial to the greatest love story in South Carolina history.
Posted to Facebook 11/29/2024