William L. McLeod....

William L. McLeod immigrated to this country during the late 1830's from Emmanuel County, Georgia. For the first few years they made their living from buisness at thier general store! William and two older brothers, Duncan, and Neil, bought a property that contained exactly 8,000 acres with a small plantation house which they then used mostly for farming purposes.

After years passed and William grew up, his mind wandered off into another subject, serving his country! Shortly after he then wrote letters to the commanding officer of the Georgia State troops on July 18, 1861, requesting duty to a regiment. A couple years later he then enlisted in the army on October 1,1861. His regiment was made up mostly of thirteen companies, William L. McLeod commanded Company C.

On Septemeber 17, 1862, Captain Battery died while commanding his troups. Since William was the next commading officer in line, he then became Captain William L. McLeod. With the difficulties facing William during Winter of 1862-63 he then rejoined the army on Febuary.

While fighting, William gathred his men and led them on a charge across Rock Creek and up to the surrounding banks, then they ran straight into battle, approximitly 30 feet, where they then came to a fence dividing two properties, once over the fence they charged at the enemy! Fighting with the enemy William McLeod was wounded on the right temple by a Union riffle ball where he then a few minutes later was mortally wounded. He was only twenty- years old! The commanding armies then withdrew fire and headed back towards Gettysburg. Thousands and Thousands of Union armies were then captured.

In Emmanual County, Georgia, in the summer of July 1, 1863. Willaim McLeods's paretns , Neil and Marry, were sitting on the front porch of thier home. They felt a sinking feeling in thier stomach and they knew that their son had been killed!

Shortly after, William McLeod was carried back to the Kime Farm. Sarah Ellen Kime came into possession of the prayer book held closely to his heart by Willaim McLeod, during William's final hours, Sarah was then asked to read a exerpt from the prayer book (Flowers of Piety) from at that point Willaim had perished. Out of kindness of both their hearts and soul Moses wanted Sarah to have the prayer book out of kindness for what she had done for the fallen soldier.

He was then carried back to the family's orchard where he was shortly after buried by the family's peach tree in the orcahrd in 1863.


Source: That There Be No Strain Upon My Stones, Michael W. Hofe, Gettysburg Pa, 1994.