Alpheus branch biography of williams

Williams died on December 21, at the age of Irene Williams Chittenden born January 3,Detroit. Died April 7,in Chicago, on a trip back to Detroit. Married on January 18,to William Jane Chittenden. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members. Alpheus Starkey Williams - Alpheus Starkey Williams. Son of Ezra Williams and [mother unknown].

Brother of Frederick William Williams. Profile last modified 21 Jan Created 31 Aug Is Alpheus your ancestor? Williams' division did not reach Chattanooga, but guarded railroads in eastern Tennessee. However, it did join Maj. William T. Sherman as part of XX Corps in the Atlanta Campaign and fought with distinction in a number of battles, particularly the Battle of Resaca.

Alpheus branch biography of williams: Biography. Private Alpheus Branch served in

Mower was given command. Williams resumed leading his division. During this period, Williams received a brevet promotion to major general on January 12, Williams held the distinction of being the longest-serving division commander in the Union army, having led his division continually from March 13, until the end of the war barring temporary absences and corps command.

Despite his seniority and long record of dependable service over three years, Williams was inexplicably never promoted—he remained at the rank of brigadier general despite commanding a division, which was supposed to be led by a major general, nor did he get permanent command of a corps. Throughout much of the war, Williams had two horses — Yorkshire and Plug Ugly.

Because Yorkshire was more showy, Williams often preferred the larger Plug Ugly for more grueling duty. During the Battle of Chancellorsvillea Confederate shell landed in the thick mud underneath Plug Ugly.

Alpheus branch biography of williams: Alpheus Starkey Williams (September 20,

The subsequent explosion sent both horse and rider into the air. Remarkably, Williams was uninjured, and the horse escaped with a few minor injuries. Williams learned that the horse died not long after the sale. After the war, Williams served as a military administrator in southern Arkansas until he left the service on January 15, He returned to Michigan, but faced financial difficulties that forced him to take a post as the U.

Minister at San Salvadora position in which he served until He ran for governor of Michigan inbut was not elected. Williams was elected as a Democrat to the 45th United States Congress from Michigan's 1st congressional districtserving from March 4,to December 21, For part of his time in congress he served as chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia.

Williams suffered a stroke on December 21,and died in the U. Capitol Building. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit. Williams was a general who never received much public recognition. Despite fighting in important commands, he remained a brigadier general throughout most of the war.

Alpheus branch biography of williams: FOUNDER OF BRANCH BANKING

There were three reasons likely for the situation: first, he was not a West Point graduate, and the "old boys network" was as effective in the 19th century as it is today; second, during the formative months of the Army of the Potomac, Williams was stationed in the Shenandoah Valley, which denied him familiarity to the high command when reputations were being established; third, Williams was never comfortable mastering the common practice of promoting himself to the public with the help of friendly newspaper correspondents.

Williams did, however, communicate well with his family, and the letters he wrote throughout the war were saved and published posthumously in as the well-regarded book, From the Cannon's Mouth: The Civil War Letters of General Alpheus S. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version.

In other projects. Wikimedia Commons Wikidata item. Union Army general and politician. This article includes a list of general referencesbut it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. October Learn how and when to remove this message. Early life [ edit ]. Civil War [ edit ].

Horses [ edit ]. Postbellum [ edit ]. Legacy [ edit ]. Honors [ edit ]. See also [ edit ]. Early the next day, Williams launched an attack that drove back the Confederates, and the sector fell into a stalemate throughout most of July 3. They fought with distinction in the preceding battles, particularly at the Battle of Resaca. Williams himself was wounded at the Battle of New Hope Church.

He treated them like they were his own sons and was said to have felt sorrow over each individual casualty. Unfortunately, Williams was not nearly as loved by the high command of the Union Army. He was often passed over for praise and promotion, which can likely be attributed to the fact that he was not a career soldier from West Point, unfamiliarity of the high command due to his time in the Shenandoah Valley, and his inability to promote himself via journalists.

After the Confederate surrender at Bennett PlaceWilliams served as a military administrator in southern Arkansas until He then returned to Michigan and civilian life. He unsuccessfully ran for governor of Michigan, but then successfully ran for Congress twice, in and Williams of Michigan ". Project Plugugly joins this process by bringing to life the career of this eloquent citizen-soldier from Detroit whose overlooked contributions were essential in saving both the Union army and the Union.

Williams of Michigan " Ph.