William Wing Loring was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on December 4, 1818. His father, Reuben Loring, was a native of Massachusetts, and a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Alden of Plymouth Colony. His mother, Hannah Kenan Loring, was a member of one of North Carolina’s most prominent families. In 1823, the Lorings moved to St. Augustine in the new territory of Florida, ceded to America by Spain just four years earlier. Reuben, a builder by trade, stayed busy constructing houses, and one of the territory’s first sugar mills. Not much is known about young William’s early life, although the Lorings were wealthy enough to own a mansion and an orange plantation. One account describes him as “a handsome child, with fine earnest eyes, waving hair, and fearless high spirit.” He was also remembered as impulsive, warm-hearted, and a natural leader of other children.

William showed an early interest in things military and at the age of 14, volunteered for the Florida Militia. As part of the 11th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, he fought in the escalating skirmishes between the territory’s settlers and the Seminole Indians, earning the nickname “the boy soldier.” In December of 1835 the conflict erupted into war, and on New Year’s Eve, William took part in the battle of Withlacoochee. But events elsewhere would soon lead the young soldier on a quixotic journey across the Gulf of Mexico.

In March of 1836, after a lengthy siege, Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Ana and an army of 4,000 defeated fewer than 200 Texans at the Alamo. News of the heroic defense spread like wildfire across the South, and soon, men were converging on Texas to avenge William Travis and Davy Crockett. At 17, William Loring ran away to join the War for Texas Independence. At least one account suggests he served as an aide to Sam Houston, but his glory was short-lived. Reuben Loring (perhaps trying to prevent damage to William’s future career) soon showed up to collect his son, and the two returned to Florida.

As the Second Seminole War continued, William fought in battles at Wahoo Swamp and Alachua. He quickly distinguished himself, winning promotions to sergeant at 17 and second lieutenant at 18. William Loring was now an officer, the beginning of a military career that would span fifty years and three flags, taking him from the Pacific Ocean to the Red Sea.

By 1837, the Seminole War was beginning to wind down. That year, William Loring was sent to the Alexandria Boarding School in Virginia, where he completed his preparatory school work (other alumni included fellow St. Augustinians Kirby Smith and Stephen V. Benét, and Loring’s future commander, Robert E. Lee). From 1839 to 1840 he briefly attended Georgetown College (now Georgetown University). While in school, Loring took courses in history, geography, Latin, and Greek, and studied classical authors like Herodotus, Livy, and Xenophon. A voracious reader, he could quote from sources as diverse as the Bible and Lord Byron.

Returning to Florida, Loring worked in the law office of territorial representative (and future U.S. Senator) David Levy Yulee. During this period, he completed his studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1842. He began practicing law in St. Augustine, and from 1843 to 1845 served in the Florida House of Representatives. In 1845, the year Florida was admitted to the Union, Loring launched an unsuccessful bid for the Florida Senate, a defeat that would free him to do what he loved best.