Next followed the brilliant victory of the Cowpens, in which Colonel Washington contributed in no small degree. His ardor in this contest had nearly cost him his life. Animating the troops to the pursuit by his example, he advanced so far as to be surrounded by several British officers. At the moment when the sword of one of them was actually raised for his destruction, his brave bugleman fired a pistol which disabled the British officer, and saved the life of his gallant commander. Shortly after his cavalry was added to a body of horse and foot selected by General Greene, and placed under the command of Colonel Williams. Colonel Washington was happy to a degree in baffling the efforts of Cornwallis to force Greene to a battle. He took a very conspicuous part in the contest at Guildford Courthouse, where, by a spirited and daring charge, he broke the British regiment of guards, commanded by Colonel Stewart, who was killed; and with the brave Colonel Howard and his gallant Marylanders, nearly effected their entire destruction. Colonel Garden relates the following remarks made to him by an officer of distinction in the army of the enemy:--“I was near General Webster when the charge was made by Washington. The desperate situation of the guards had its effect on all around. An American officer quickly perceiving it, rode up to the British line and called aloud, ‘Surrender, gentlemen, and be certain of good quarters.’ Terrified by appearances, and concluding that defeat was inevitable, the soldiers of the regiment of De Bose were actually throwing down their arms. In the midst of the confusion, General Webster, famed for great presence of mind, exclaimed, ‘Unless that gallant fellow is taken off, we are lost.’ A field-piece at this moment was brought up, and directed to be fired into the throng where the guards now appeared to be greatly outnumbered, and did so with the happiest success; the cavalry wheeled off, the remains of the battalion rallied, and the army was saved.” At Hobkirk Hill, Colonel Washington added another wreath to his well-earned laurels. Famous for skillful maneuvering, he cut off the rear of the British line, capturing eleven officers and two hundred men, but the early retreat of the American forces prevented his bringing more than fifty of his prisoners off the field; these, however, contained the eleven officers. At the battle of Eutaw, his repeated charges on the British light infantry were signalized by extraordinary bravery and valor. In an effort which required all his courage, his horse was shot from under him, and becoming entangled as he fell, he was taken prisoner. This was the closing scene of his military performances, which had always been characterized by ardor, bravery and decision; he knew danger only by name, and though unfortunate at last, no officer in the American revolution ever in a higher degree merited success.