Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. A native of New Jersey, he lived with his family in Covington, Kentucky before war began. He enlisted in the Union Volunteer Army and first served as a Captain with the 23rd Kentucky Infantry, Company G, before he was commissioned as a Major and transferred to the 55th Kentucky Mounted Infantry. He was eventually promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and was second in rank within the regiment only to Colonel Weden O'Neal. Only a month after the regiment was formed in November, 1864 they were deployed into southwestern Virginia and saw action during Stoneman's Raid and at the Battle of Saltsville. Williams returned with his men to Kentucky and commanded them while guarding railroads and other posts from raiders and guerilla destruction throughout the state. The regiment continued with post-war assignments after the Confederate surrender and were mustered out of service on September 19, 1865. Williams received two promotions for the ranks of Brevet Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General of U.S. Volunteers on September 22, 1865 for meritorious service during the war. He died suddenly on November 18, 1866 from an inflammation affecting his brain when he was only 29 years old. His grave is marked only by an upright siege cannon that was installed over his burial at the center of the lot.
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. A native of New Jersey, he lived with his family in Covington, Kentucky before war began. He enlisted in the Union Volunteer Army and first served as a Captain with the 23rd Kentucky Infantry, Company G, before he was commissioned as a Major and transferred to the 55th Kentucky Mounted Infantry. He was eventually promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and was second in rank within the regiment only to Colonel Weden O'Neal. Only a month after the regiment was formed in November, 1864 they were deployed into southwestern Virginia and saw action during Stoneman's Raid and at the Battle of Saltsville. Williams returned with his men to Kentucky and commanded them while guarding railroads and other posts from raiders and guerilla destruction throughout the state. The regiment continued with post-war assignments after the Confederate surrender and were mustered out of service on September 19, 1865. Williams received two promotions for the ranks of Brevet Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General of U.S. Volunteers on September 22, 1865 for meritorious service during the war. He died suddenly on November 18, 1866 from an inflammation affecting his brain when he was only 29 years old. His grave is marked only by an upright siege cannon that was installed over his burial at the center of the lot.
Bio by: K Guy
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