William Lee Davidson

Background

William Davidson Lee was born in 1746 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. He was the son of George Davidson, who, in 1750, settled in Rowan (now Iredell) County, North Carolina, United States.

Education

Davidson was educated in the rural schools and then attended Queen’s Museum College in Charlotte.

Career

After serving on the Rowan County Committee of Safety, Davidson was appointed major of the 4th North Carolina Regiment (1776) and marched north under General Francis Nash to join Washington’s army in New Jersey.

For gallant conduct in the battle of Germantown be was promoted to lieutenant-colonel (1777).

In November 1779 the North Carolina line was detached and ordered to reinforce the southern army.

Davidson stopped in North Carolina to visit his family and upon his arrival at Charleston found the city so closely invested that he was unable to rejoin his regiment.

After the surrender of General Lincoln he returned to Mecklenburg, where he commanded the local militia in its efforts to subdue uprisings of the Loyalists, who were much encouraged by the success of the British in the South.

While proceeding vigorously in this service he was severely wounded in an engagement at Coulson’s Mill on the Yadkin in the summer of 1780.

He was then promoted to brigadiergeneral of militia, in command of the Salisbury district.

After defeating Tarleton at the battle of Cowpens, General Morgan began retreating northward with great celerity, pursued by Cornwallis.

Davidson, commanding the hastily assembled local militia, called by Cornwallis “Gang of Plunderers, ” was ordered by Greene to guard the fords of the Catawba, after Morgan’s passage. Early on the morning of February 1, 1781, Cornwallis crossed the river at Cowan’s (or McCowan’s) Ford, in spite of a “galling and constant fire” from the Americans.

Davidson, with the majority of his forces, was some distance away, and arrived too late to prevent the passage of the British.

General Henry Lee wrote that the loss of Davidson was “particularly detrimental” at that time, “as he was the chief instrument relied upon by Greene for the assemblage of the militia”.

A monument to his memory was voted by the Continental Congress but the money was not appropriated by Congress until 1903. The monument has since been erected on the Guilford Court House battle-field.

Achievements

• Davidson's name is also perpetuated in Davidson College in his adopted state, and in counties in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Connections

Davidson married in early life Mary Brevard, the sister of Dr. Ephraim Brevard, reputed author of the Mecklenburg Declaration of 1775.

Father:

George Davidson

Wife:

Mary Brevard

References

• Piedmont Partisan: The Life And Times Of Brigadier General William Lee Davidson
• General William Lee Davidson: An Address (Classic Reprint)