At the siege of Petersburg, Grant's army [about 1864] dug tunnel under Lee's redoubt, filled it with explosives and blew a hole in the lines. First troops through were two regiments of black (Negroid) soldiers who were to rush in and turn the Confederate lines. But it wasn't done timely and so were trapped in the crater hole. Confederate officers accepted surrender of white (Caucasian) union officers who were in charge of the black soldiers. Confederates then summarily executed all black, Union soldiers. Confederates didn't like blacks having weapons. William was a Lieutenant of the Petersburg Gray's - a confederate outfit, age about 19. Being a property owner and literate he'd have been elected to serve as an officer for the unit. Was wounded during this conflict and died a few years later (may not be connected). Most probably participated in the summary executions.
Pre-war William owned a piano store in Richmond, Virginia.
Pre-war William owned a piano store in Richmond, Virginia.
At the siege of Petersburg, Grant's army [about 1864] dug tunnel under Lee's redoubt, filled it with explosives and blew a hole in the lines. First troops through were two regiments of black (Negroid) soldiers who were to rush in and turn the Confederate lines. But it wasn't done timely and so were trapped in the crater hole. Confederate officers accepted surrender of white (Caucasian) union officers who were in charge of the black soldiers. Confederates then summarily executed all black, Union soldiers. Confederates didn't like blacks having weapons. William was a Lieutenant of the Petersburg Gray's - a confederate outfit, age about 19. Being a property owner and literate he'd have been elected to serve as an officer for the unit. Was wounded during this conflict and died a few years later (may not be connected). Most probably participated in the summary executions.
Pre-war William owned a piano store in Richmond, Virginia.
Pre-war William owned a piano store in Richmond, Virginia.
