SMALLWOOD, William, soldier, born in Kent county, Maryland, in 1732; died in Prince George county, Maryland, 14 February, 1792. On 2 January, 1776, he was elected colonel of the Maryland battalion, and on 10 July, with nine companies, he joined Washington in New York. On 20 August his troops took an active part in the battle of Brooklyn Heights, being hotly engaged from sunrise until the last gun was fired, and losing nearly half their number. At White Plains, on 18 October, the Maryland line again bore the brunt of the fight, and Smallwood was wounded. For his gallantry on this occasion congress appointed him a brigadier-general, 23 October, 1776. In the battle of Fort Washington, 16 November, 1776, his command again suffered severely, and at Germantown, 4 October, 1777, the Maryland line retrieved the day and captured part of the enemy's camp. In the winter of 1777-'8 he was stationed at Wilmington, and captured a British brig in the Delaware laden with stores and provisions, He won new laurels in the battle of Camden, and received the thanks of congress for his gallant conduct. In September, 1780, he was appointed major-general, but after the removal of Gates he refused to serve under Baron Steuben, who was his senior officer, declaring his intention to leave the army unless congress should antedate his commission two years. This claim was not allowed, being regarded as absurd, but General Small-wood remained in the army until 15 November, 1783. In 1785 he was elected to congress, and in the same year he was chosen governor of Maryland, which was the last public post that he held.