Civil War Confederate Army Officer. Born in Virginia and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1855. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was elected a Captain in the 13th Virginia InfantryRegiment. he rose to the rank of colonel and commanded the 1st Virginia Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old First". On May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Williamsburg, he was wounded and captured. After being exchanged a month later, he resumed command of the 1st Virginia, which was part of Brig. General James Kemper's Brigade of Pickett's Division in the Army of Northern Virginia. At age 29, Colonel Williams led the 1st Virginia on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg against the Union position on Cemetery Hill in what is called "Pickett's Charge". Being ill, he rode his horse in the attack. As the Confederate army marched into the open field they came under Federal cannon fire. A shot exploded near Colonel Williams, which threw him from his saddle. He landed on his sword and was mortally wounded. His regiment continued on toward the Union lines, suffering 80% casualties, before being forced to retreat. He was originally buried in Greenmount Cemetery in Baltimore before being reinterred in Hollywood Cemetery in 1896.
Civil War Confederate Army Officer. Born in Virginia and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1855. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was elected a Captain in the 13th Virginia InfantryRegiment. he rose to the rank of colonel and commanded the 1st Virginia Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old First". On May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Williamsburg, he was wounded and captured. After being exchanged a month later, he resumed command of the 1st Virginia, which was part of Brig. General James Kemper's Brigade of Pickett's Division in the Army of Northern Virginia. At age 29, Colonel Williams led the 1st Virginia on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg against the Union position on Cemetery Hill in what is called "Pickett's Charge". Being ill, he rode his horse in the attack. As the Confederate army marched into the open field they came under Federal cannon fire. A shot exploded near Colonel Williams, which threw him from his saddle. He landed on his sword and was mortally wounded. His regiment continued on toward the Union lines, suffering 80% casualties, before being forced to retreat. He was originally buried in Greenmount Cemetery in Baltimore before being reinterred in Hollywood Cemetery in 1896.
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