William Maxwell was a brigadier general of the New Jersey militia during the Revolutionary War.
Although he fought for the British in the French and Indian Wars, when tensions leading up the American Revolutionary War increased, he resigned his commission and became active in Patriot political and resistance activity in New Jersey.
William Maxwell, known as "Scotch Willie" for his hard-drinking tendencies, was one of George Washington’s most able and controversial generals. He was chosen to command the crack team that would become known as Maxwell's Brigade. This brigade included 700 men, 100 each drawn from the seven existing brigades to make an elite corps of light infantry troops who could respond with lightning speed at enemy-vulnerable points, then retreat as quickly as possible. Maxwell's Brigade acted independently from the rest of the Continental Army, attacking the British with guerrilla tactics learned from American Indians and seasoned militiamen.
Maxwell's Brigade formed the advanced skirmish line in the defense of Philadelphia, and was involved in the Battle of Cooch's Bridge prior to the Battle of Brandywine. Maxwell’s Brigade is said to have been the first to fly the Stars and Stripes in battle during the Philadelphia Campaign. His brigade served as the reserve at the Battle of Germantown, and spent the winter at Valley Forge. After the Battle of Germantown, Maxwell was brought up on charges of excessive drinking. Following the war, Maxwell served one term in the New Jersey state legislature.