Colonel Abraham Buford

A Patriot of the American Revolution for VIRGINIA with the rank of COLONEL. DAR Ancestor # A016693

Biography

Born in Culpeper County, Virginia, Buford quickly organized a company of minutemen upon the outbreak of war in 1775, eventually rising to the rank of colonel by May 1778. Assuming command of the 11th Virginia Regiment in September, he would be assigned to the 3rd Virginia Regiment in April 1780 and sent south to relieve the British siege of Charleston, South Carolina.

Buford's men were on the north side of the Santee River, unable to help during the Battle of Lenud's Ferry.[1]

Forced to withdraw following the surrender of Charleston on May 12, the 3rd Virginia Continentals were trapped on May 29 by a British and American Loyalist force under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton. When Buford refused Tarleton's demand he surrender, Tarleton ordered an assault which inflicted casualties so severe that the Americans tried to surrender. While Buford was calling for quarter, Tarleton's horse was struck by a musket ball and fell. This gave the loyalist cavalrymen the impression that the rebels had shot at their commander while asking for mercy, and thus engaged in what Tarleton later described as "a vindictive asperity not easily restrained"; many American soldiers were sabred to death as they attempted to give up. The incident became known as the Waxhaw Massacre, and became strong propaganda story in the southern states.[2] From that time onward, "Tarleton's Quarter" (meaning give no quarter) was an American battle cry in the Southern theater.

Escaping on horseback with his remaining men, Buford was not found culpable for the action and continued to serve as an officer in the Continental Army through the Siege of Yorktown. He eventually settled in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky, on military bounty lands in excess of several thousand acres, where he helped found that state's horseracing industry and where he lived until his death at his home, which he called "Richland" (National Register of Historic Places) in Scott County, Kentucky on June 30, 1833.

On Flag Day, June 14, 2006, descendants of Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton sold Colonel Buford's regimental flags, taken at the Waxhaw Massacre, at Sotheby's New York for over $5,000,000 (US).[3]

Buford was one of six sons of John and Judith Early Beaufort (Buford), all of whom served with distinction as officers during the American Revolution. Their Civil War descendants included Union Major Generals John Buford, who distinguished himself at the Battle of Gettysburg, and Napoleon Bonaparte Buford and Confederate General Abraham Buford. Wikipedia

Continental Army officer during the American Revolutionary War, most known as commanding officer during the "Waxhaw Massacre".

Born in Culpeper County, Virginia, he organized a company of minutemen upon the outbreak of war in 1775, eventually rising to the rank of colonel by May 1778. Assuming command of the 11th Virginia Regiment in September, he would be assigned to the 3rd Virginia Regiment in April 1780 and sent south to relieve the British siege of Charleston, South Carolina. He was forced to withdraw following the surrender of Charleston on May 12, and the 3rd Virginia Continentals were trapped on May 29 by British and American Loyalist forces under Col. Banastre Tarleton who demanded his surrender. When he refused, Tarleton ordered an assault that was so deadly and with so many casualties to his men Colonel Buford was forced to surrender. However, the British forces continued their attack against the American force as many soldiers were bayoneted to death as they attempted to surrender (which was how it became known as the "Waxhaw Massacre" or "Buford's Massacre"). "Tarleton's Quarter" (which means give no quarter) was an American battle cry in the South

Buford escaped on horseback with his remaining men and was not held culpable for the massacre and continued to serve as an officer in the Continental Army through the Battle of Yorktown. He eventually retired to the Bluegrass region of Kentucky on military bounty lands in excess of several thousand acres where he helped found that state's race-horsing industry and where he lived until his death at his home which he called "Richland" (National Register of Historic Places) in Scott County, Kentucky on June 30, 1833. He and his wife Martha were orginally buried at their estate, but they were moved when the cemetery opened. On Flag Day, June 14, 2006, descendants of Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton returned Col. Buford's regimental flags taken at the Waxhaw Massacre to the United States and sold them at Sotheby's New York for over $5,000,000 (US). Col Buford was one of six sons of John and Judith Early Beaufort (Buford), all of whom served with distinction as officers during the American Revolution. Their Civil War descendents were US Major Generals John Buford, Jr., noted for his service at the Battle of Gettysburg; Napoleon Bonaparte Buford; and CS General Abraham Buford.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jul 18 2019, 3:24:06 UTC

• Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Sep 20 2019, 2:43:49 UTC
• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Sep 20 2019, 2:50:40 UTC