William Woodford, born in Caroline County, Virginia, in 1735,
served with credit in the French and Indian War, and was appointed
colonel of the second regiment raised by his native State in 1775.
Evincing considerable military ability, and gaining a decided victory
at the battle of Great Bridge, where he was in command, upon the
recommendation of Washington he was made brigadier-general in the
Continental army, Feb. 21, 1777. At the battle of Brandywine, he was
severely wounded in the hand. Having been ordered to the South in 1779,
he was taken prisoner by the British at Charleston, May 21, 1780;
and being sent to New York that summer, he died there on the 13th of
November of the same year.