William Maxwell (Continental Army general)

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William Maxwell
Nickname(s)Scotch Willie
Bornc. 1733
County Tyrone, Kingdom of Ireland
DiedNovember 4, 1796
Lansdown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Place of burial
Greenwich Township, Warren County, New Jersey
Allegiance Kingdom of Great Britain
 United States
Service/branchColonial militia
Continental Army
Years of serviceColonial militia: 1755–1760
Continental Army: 1775–1780
RankBrigadier General
Commands heldNew Jersey 1st New Jersey Regiment
Battles/warsFrench and Indian War

American Revolutionary War

William Maxwell (1733 – November 4, 1796) was an Irish-born brigadier general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

Life

Coat of Arms of William Maxwell

William Maxwell was a Presbyterian of Scottish descent born in

Jersey Blues,[2] and was likely on the 1758 campaign that culminated in the debacle of the Battle of Carillon
. At the end of the war he remained in military service, serving on the western frontier.

When tensions leading up the

Quebec under General John Sullivan in early 1776, and was involved in the Battle of Trois-Rivières before the Continental Army retreated to Fort Ticonderoga. Promoted to brigadier general, Maxwell returned to New Jersey to join General George Washington's army after its retreat across New Jersey following the loss of New York
.

In August 1777, Gen.

New Jersey Brigade in the Main Army, to organize and command a provisional Corps of Light Infantry, culling 100 of the best troops from each of the army's ten brigades. This force formed the advanced skirmish line in the defense of Philadelphia, and was involved in the Battle of Cooch's Bridge prior to the Battle of Brandywine. Maxwell soon returned to the New Jersey Brigade, which served as the reserve at the October Battle of Germantown, and spent the winter at Valley Forge. After Germantown Maxwell was brought up on charges of excessive drinking, but was acquitted.[3]

In May 1778, Washington sensed that the British were evacuating Philadelphia, so he sent General Maxwell with four New Jersey regiments and two pieces of artillery to reinforce the New Jersey militia.[4] Maxwell's troops were among those harassing the British as they crossed New Jersey to New York, and were involved in the Battle of Monmouth.

He was a member of the 1779

Springfield and Connecticut Farms
.

Maxwell, apparently feeling he was inadequately recognized for his contributions, tendered his resignation to Congress in 1780 in the hopes that he would be rewarded. However, Congress accepted his resignation, ending his military career. He tried to get reinstated, but was unsuccessful.

Maxwell's gravestone at the Old Greenwich Presbyterian Churchyard

After the war Maxwell served one term in the New Jersey state legislature, but did not notably distinguish himself. He died on November 4, 1796, while visiting a friend,

Landsdown in Hunterdon County. He was buried in the Old Greenwich Presbyterian Churchyard in his hometown of Greenwich Township, Warren County, New Jersey
.

References

Notes

  1. ^ General William Maxwell and the New Jersey Continentals by Harry M Ward. Greenwood Press, Jan 1, 1997. Pg. 2
  2. ^ Mark M. Boatner, Encyclopedia of the American Revolution. Third Edition. Stackpole Books. 1994.
  3. ^ Ward, pp. 77, 82.
  4. ^ Lefkowitz, p. 159.

Works cited

  • Fredriksen, John. Revolutionary War Almanac. Infobase Publishing, 2006.
  • Lefkowitz, Arthur S. George Washington's Indispensable Men: The 32 Aides-de-Camp Who Helped Win the Revolution. Stackpole Books, 2003.
  • Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society

External links

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