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John J. Williams (soldier)

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(Redirected from John J. Williams (American Civil War)) American soldier (1843–1865)
John Jefferson Williams
Born1843
Jay County, Indiana, U.S.
DiedMay 13, 1865 (aged 21–22)
Cameron County, Texas, U.S.
BurialJay county Infirmary Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnion Army
Years of service1863–1865
RankPrivate
Unit34th Regiment Indiana Infantry
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War

John Jefferson Williams (1843 – May 13, 1865) was a Union soldier and private in Company B the 34th Regiment Indiana Infantry. He was killed at the Battle of Palmito Ranch, the last land battle of the American Civil War, and is generally recognized as the last soldier killed in the conflict.

Biography

Williams was born in the year 1843 in Jay County, Indiana, and joined the Union Army in September, 1863, probably in Anderson. He moved to Camp Joe Holt where his unit drilled before being put on duty in their field. His regiment spent most of the war on guard and Garrison duty in the Western Theatre, including New Orleans where he was stationed before his unit joined the army forming for the invasion and occupation of Texas in spring of 1865. He first saw action in the Battle of Palmito Ranch near Brownsville, Texas, where he died May 13, 1865. Williams is generally recognized as being the last soldier to have been killed in action during the Civil War, although some sources make this claim for Corporal John W. Skinner, killed on 19 May 1865 in an ambush at Hobdy's Bridge, near Eufaula, Alabama.

He was buried at Alexandria National Cemetery in Pineville, Louisiana but his remains were moved to his home town in Jay County Indiana around 1897 or 1898 and is currently buried at the Jay County Infirmary Cemetery.

Jay County Infirmary Cemetery

See also

References

  1. "The Civil War". PBS. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
  2. Hobdy's Bridge, Explore Southern History
  3. Jaine Treadwell (9 May 2015). "'Ambush at Hobdy's Bridge' re-enactment May 16–17". The Troy Messenger. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2018. Bob McLendon, event coordinator and member of Pvt. Augustus Braddy Camp 385, an event sponsor, said ... on May 19, 1865 ... "Cpl. John W. Skinner of First Florida Cavalry was killed, and three Union soldiers were wounded and were the last casualties of the war."
  4. Museum of the Soldier Portland Indiana

External links

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See also: History of the United States, History of the Midwestern United States and Portal:Indiana
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