The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Confederacy's Last Soldier: Walter Washington Williams-- Part 1

In Houston, old Walter Williams sent Albert Woolson a telegram congratulating him for turning 109.  "Happy birthday greetings from Colonel Walter Williams," it read.

Blind, nearly deaf and confined to a bed at his daughter's house, Williams had served as Confederate forage master for Hood's Brigade and now was much determined to be the last-living veteran.  Even further, he wanted to still be alive when the Civil War's centennial arrived in 1961.

Williams said, "I'm going to wait around to see what happens."

He liked his parades as well.  He was named in a presidential proclamation and Life Magazine devoted a three-page spread to him.

--Old Secesh

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