- Joined
- Jun 21, 2012
- Location
- Louisville, KY
Private John J. Williams enlisted in the Union Army in 1863 in Indiana and served with 34th Indiana Infantry. On May 13, 1865 in Texas Union troops under the command of Colonel Theodore Barrett found themselves caught in a trap as Confederate troops tried to cut off the Union troops in a deep bend of the Rio Grande River. Colonel Barrett upon seeing the Confederate troop movement ordered a retreat to save his command. As his main element retreated to escape the trap a skirmish line was formed by troops from the 34th Indiana to meet attacking Confederate cavalry. Among these soldiers was John J. Williams. During this action, which would come to be known as the Battle of Palmetto Ranch, Private Williams was killed and in doing so became the last soldier to die in battle during the American Civil War. Williams is buried in the Alexandria National Cemetery in Pineville, Louisiana
Battle of Palmetto Ranch
Williams' grave in Pineville, Louisiana
Private John J. Williams
Battle of Palmetto Ranch
Williams' grave in Pineville, Louisiana
Private John J. Williams