William Leslie (British Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Leslie
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Miniature portrait, c. 1780
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| Born | 8 August 1751 Fife, Scotland |
| Died | 3 January 1777 (aged 25) Princeton, New Jersey, United States |
| Buried |
St. Paul's Lutheran Church graveyard
Pluckemin, New Jersey, United States |
| Allegiance |  Great Britain |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | American War of Independence |
William Leslie (born August 8, 1751 – died January 3, 1777) was a British nobleman and soldier. He was the second son of the Earl of Leven and Melville from Scotland. He became a captain in the British Army's 17th Foot regiment.
Captain Leslie fought during the American War of Independence. He was badly hurt in the Battle of Princeton. American General George Washington ordered a special burial for him. This was done with full military honors in Pluckemin, New Jersey.
Contents
Early Life and Friendship
William Leslie was born on August 8, 1751. His parents were David Leslie, the 6th Earl of Leven, and Wilhelmina Nisbet. He was also the nephew of General Alexander Leslie.
In the summer of 1767, Leslie became good friends with Benjamin Rush. Rush was studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh Medical School. He visited the Earl of Leven's family estate.
Military Service
In 1771, William Leslie joined the 42nd Highlanders. Later, he moved to the 17th Foot regiment. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1773. By 1776, he had become a captain.
Captain Leslie was sent to America in 1776. He fought in two major battles that year. These were the Battle of Long Island and the Battle of Fort Washington.
The Battle of Princeton
Captain Leslie was one of many soldiers who died during the Battle of Princeton. This battle took place on January 3, 1777. Lieutenant William Armstrong, who was also in the 17th Regiment, said Leslie "fell in the first fire." This means he was hit right at the start of the fighting.
Another soldier, Surgeon Andrew Wardrop, said Leslie "instantly expired without a groan." The British put his body in a wagon. However, the Americans later captured this wagon. General Thomas Mifflin identified Leslie's body.
A Special Burial
The next day, Leslie's friend Benjamin Rush learned about his death. Rush was treating wounded soldiers at Princeton. On January 5, General George Washington found out that Leslie was Rush's friend. Washington then ordered a special burial for Captain Leslie.
Leslie was buried with full military honors in Pluckemin, New Jersey. His gravestone is in the graveyard of the old St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Today, the Pluckemin Presbyterian Church stands there.
Lasting Memory
Captain Leslie's memory lives on in several ways.
Painting of the Battle
The famous painter John Trumbull created a painting called The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777. This painting shows different parts of the battle. In the middle, General Hugh Mercer is shown dying. On the left, Captain Daniel Neil is attacked. On the right side of the painting, Captain Leslie is shown badly wounded. In the background, Washington and Rush are seen arriving.
Leslie's Gravestone
After the war, Dr. Benjamin Rush placed a gravestone for Leslie. It was in the Pluckemin graveyard. The first stone eventually crumbled. Around 1836, a new stone was put up. Professor Ogilby of Rutgers University arranged this. He did it at the request of David Leslie-Melville, 8th Earl of Leven.
Leslie's gravestone is honored with both the British and Scottish flags. The gravestone has a special message:
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In Memory of the |
Images for kids
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The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777 by John Trumbull, with Leslie, shown on the right, mortally wounded
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Leslie gravestone at Pluckemin, New Jersey
