William Fletcher Carpenter
b 12 Jul 1847
d 21 Aug 1932
Cpl. CO B, 7th TN INF, Civil War
Married; Permelia Emiline Wood , Jan 1867
Civil War Vet Answers Final Summons Here
Wm. F. Carpenter Is Called Sunday At Age of 85
Fought Defense Athens From Courthouse During War
Taps have been sounded for another of McMinn county's prominent citizen's, a veteran of the Civil War, and who was among the few remaining men who saw service in the War with the States.
"Uncle" William Fletcher Carpenter, 85, died at his home in this city Sunday night at 8:15 o'clock after several week's illness. He had been confined to his bed since early in July, but had been declining since last February.
Funeral services, at Tranquility M. E. church Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. The pastor, the Rev. Sproles officiating with the assistance of other ministers, friends of the deceased and family. Interment in the church cemetery.
Mr. Carpenter was born in Morgan County, was the son of Cyril Carpenter. The family moved to McMinn County when the deceased was only a lad, where he has sine made his home, where he married, and reared a family of several children.
He was born July 12, 1847. He was married to Miss Permelie Wood, January 3, 1867, who died 21 years ago.
To the union was born eight children---three survive.
After the death of his wife, "Uncle Fletcher" as he was known by his wide circle of acquaintances, lived with a daughter. Mrs. Rhoda J. Carroll, and for 12 years has made his home in Athens. Before locating in this city, he lived in the Tranquility community.
Surviving are two daughters, one son: Mrs. Rhoda J. Carroll, of Athens; Mrs. Maggie Hicks of Branson, Col., John Carpenter of Athens. One sister, Mrs. Sam Hughes, also survives.
"Uncle Fletcher" was a member of the M. E. church at Tranquility, and was a devout Christian.
When the call came for assistance during the early days of the war between the states, the deceased, who at that time had not reached the age when he could serve his country before the close of the conflict, he enlisted in the seventh Tennessee infantry.
Mr. Carpenter's company were instrumental in saving Athens when the Southern army in an attack that was a complete surprise, swooped down upon the Yankees. But the company, ever on the alert, sought refuge in the courthouse, and at the county jail, and these two buildings saw service as forts. Soon the quiet hours gave way to the rumbling of the cannon, the cracking of musketry, the rattling of sabers.
For several days the Union forces were confined in the two buildings. Ammunition and food was just about exhausted. Then came the day that was to decide victory or defeat. The Union won, the enemy was driven back, and the city of Athens was saved in what history acknowledge to be one of the hardest fought battles in this section.
During the intervening years that followed, the remaining boys "that wore the blue" organized as what was known as the Grand Army Reunion. Mr. Carpenter was a charter member, and was among the leaders during his life when health would permit active service.
The ranks are fast fading. Less than six veterans of the Civil war remain in McMinn County.
b 12 Jul 1847
d 21 Aug 1932
Cpl. CO B, 7th TN INF, Civil War
Married; Permelia Emiline Wood , Jan 1867
Civil War Vet Answers Final Summons Here
Wm. F. Carpenter Is Called Sunday At Age of 85
Fought Defense Athens From Courthouse During War
Taps have been sounded for another of McMinn county's prominent citizen's, a veteran of the Civil War, and who was among the few remaining men who saw service in the War with the States.
"Uncle" William Fletcher Carpenter, 85, died at his home in this city Sunday night at 8:15 o'clock after several week's illness. He had been confined to his bed since early in July, but had been declining since last February.
Funeral services, at Tranquility M. E. church Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. The pastor, the Rev. Sproles officiating with the assistance of other ministers, friends of the deceased and family. Interment in the church cemetery.
Mr. Carpenter was born in Morgan County, was the son of Cyril Carpenter. The family moved to McMinn County when the deceased was only a lad, where he has sine made his home, where he married, and reared a family of several children.
He was born July 12, 1847. He was married to Miss Permelie Wood, January 3, 1867, who died 21 years ago.
To the union was born eight children---three survive.
After the death of his wife, "Uncle Fletcher" as he was known by his wide circle of acquaintances, lived with a daughter. Mrs. Rhoda J. Carroll, and for 12 years has made his home in Athens. Before locating in this city, he lived in the Tranquility community.
Surviving are two daughters, one son: Mrs. Rhoda J. Carroll, of Athens; Mrs. Maggie Hicks of Branson, Col., John Carpenter of Athens. One sister, Mrs. Sam Hughes, also survives.
"Uncle Fletcher" was a member of the M. E. church at Tranquility, and was a devout Christian.
When the call came for assistance during the early days of the war between the states, the deceased, who at that time had not reached the age when he could serve his country before the close of the conflict, he enlisted in the seventh Tennessee infantry.
Mr. Carpenter's company were instrumental in saving Athens when the Southern army in an attack that was a complete surprise, swooped down upon the Yankees. But the company, ever on the alert, sought refuge in the courthouse, and at the county jail, and these two buildings saw service as forts. Soon the quiet hours gave way to the rumbling of the cannon, the cracking of musketry, the rattling of sabers.
For several days the Union forces were confined in the two buildings. Ammunition and food was just about exhausted. Then came the day that was to decide victory or defeat. The Union won, the enemy was driven back, and the city of Athens was saved in what history acknowledge to be one of the hardest fought battles in this section.
During the intervening years that followed, the remaining boys "that wore the blue" organized as what was known as the Grand Army Reunion. Mr. Carpenter was a charter member, and was among the leaders during his life when health would permit active service.
The ranks are fast fading. Less than six veterans of the Civil war remain in McMinn County.
William Fletcher Carpenter
b 12 Jul 1847
d 21 Aug 1932
Cpl. CO B, 7th TN INF, Civil War
Married; Permelia Emiline Wood , Jan 1867
Civil War Vet Answers Final Summons Here
Wm. F. Carpenter Is Called Sunday At Age of 85
Fought Defense Athens From Courthouse During War
Taps have been sounded for another of McMinn county's prominent citizen's, a veteran of the Civil War, and who was among the few remaining men who saw service in the War with the States.
"Uncle" William Fletcher Carpenter, 85, died at his home in this city Sunday night at 8:15 o'clock after several week's illness. He had been confined to his bed since early in July, but had been declining since last February.
Funeral services, at Tranquility M. E. church Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. The pastor, the Rev. Sproles officiating with the assistance of other ministers, friends of the deceased and family. Interment in the church cemetery.
Mr. Carpenter was born in Morgan County, was the son of Cyril Carpenter. The family moved to McMinn County when the deceased was only a lad, where he has sine made his home, where he married, and reared a family of several children.
He was born July 12, 1847. He was married to Miss Permelie Wood, January 3, 1867, who died 21 years ago.
To the union was born eight children---three survive.
After the death of his wife, "Uncle Fletcher" as he was known by his wide circle of acquaintances, lived with a daughter. Mrs. Rhoda J. Carroll, and for 12 years has made his home in Athens. Before locating in this city, he lived in the Tranquility community.
Surviving are two daughters, one son: Mrs. Rhoda J. Carroll, of Athens; Mrs. Maggie Hicks of Branson, Col., John Carpenter of Athens. One sister, Mrs. Sam Hughes, also survives.
"Uncle Fletcher" was a member of the M. E. church at Tranquility, and was a devout Christian.
When the call came for assistance during the early days of the war between the states, the deceased, who at that time had not reached the age when he could serve his country before the close of the conflict, he enlisted in the seventh Tennessee infantry.
Mr. Carpenter's company were instrumental in saving Athens when the Southern army in an attack that was a complete surprise, swooped down upon the Yankees. But the company, ever on the alert, sought refuge in the courthouse, and at the county jail, and these two buildings saw service as forts. Soon the quiet hours gave way to the rumbling of the cannon, the cracking of musketry, the rattling of sabers.
For several days the Union forces were confined in the two buildings. Ammunition and food was just about exhausted. Then came the day that was to decide victory or defeat. The Union won, the enemy was driven back, and the city of Athens was saved in what history acknowledge to be one of the hardest fought battles in this section.
During the intervening years that followed, the remaining boys "that wore the blue" organized as what was known as the Grand Army Reunion. Mr. Carpenter was a charter member, and was among the leaders during his life when health would permit active service.
The ranks are fast fading. Less than six veterans of the Civil war remain in McMinn County.
b 12 Jul 1847
d 21 Aug 1932
Cpl. CO B, 7th TN INF, Civil War
Married; Permelia Emiline Wood , Jan 1867
Civil War Vet Answers Final Summons Here
Wm. F. Carpenter Is Called Sunday At Age of 85
Fought Defense Athens From Courthouse During War
Taps have been sounded for another of McMinn county's prominent citizen's, a veteran of the Civil War, and who was among the few remaining men who saw service in the War with the States.
"Uncle" William Fletcher Carpenter, 85, died at his home in this city Sunday night at 8:15 o'clock after several week's illness. He had been confined to his bed since early in July, but had been declining since last February.
Funeral services, at Tranquility M. E. church Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. The pastor, the Rev. Sproles officiating with the assistance of other ministers, friends of the deceased and family. Interment in the church cemetery.
Mr. Carpenter was born in Morgan County, was the son of Cyril Carpenter. The family moved to McMinn County when the deceased was only a lad, where he has sine made his home, where he married, and reared a family of several children.
He was born July 12, 1847. He was married to Miss Permelie Wood, January 3, 1867, who died 21 years ago.
To the union was born eight children---three survive.
After the death of his wife, "Uncle Fletcher" as he was known by his wide circle of acquaintances, lived with a daughter. Mrs. Rhoda J. Carroll, and for 12 years has made his home in Athens. Before locating in this city, he lived in the Tranquility community.
Surviving are two daughters, one son: Mrs. Rhoda J. Carroll, of Athens; Mrs. Maggie Hicks of Branson, Col., John Carpenter of Athens. One sister, Mrs. Sam Hughes, also survives.
"Uncle Fletcher" was a member of the M. E. church at Tranquility, and was a devout Christian.
When the call came for assistance during the early days of the war between the states, the deceased, who at that time had not reached the age when he could serve his country before the close of the conflict, he enlisted in the seventh Tennessee infantry.
Mr. Carpenter's company were instrumental in saving Athens when the Southern army in an attack that was a complete surprise, swooped down upon the Yankees. But the company, ever on the alert, sought refuge in the courthouse, and at the county jail, and these two buildings saw service as forts. Soon the quiet hours gave way to the rumbling of the cannon, the cracking of musketry, the rattling of sabers.
For several days the Union forces were confined in the two buildings. Ammunition and food was just about exhausted. Then came the day that was to decide victory or defeat. The Union won, the enemy was driven back, and the city of Athens was saved in what history acknowledge to be one of the hardest fought battles in this section.
During the intervening years that followed, the remaining boys "that wore the blue" organized as what was known as the Grand Army Reunion. Mr. Carpenter was a charter member, and was among the leaders during his life when health would permit active service.
The ranks are fast fading. Less than six veterans of the Civil war remain in McMinn County.
Family Members
Siblings
