Hook, William H

William H Hook

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company E, 23rd Kentcky Infantry

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, TN

Date of Death:

January 2, 1863

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, TN

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

William H Hook enlisted on October 30th, 1861 at Camp King in Lexington, Kentucky at the age of 18. He joined the Union army and mustered in with Company E of the 23rd Kentucky Infantry on December 12th, 1861.

The 23rd Kentucky had garrison and guard duty in Southern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee January-August of 1862. They were sent to Louisville, Kentucky in pursuit of Bragg, and followed him to the battle of Perryville in October 1862, where they functioned as reserves. After the battle of Perryville, they marched to Nashville, Tennessee, where they remained until December of the same year.

On December 26th, they received orders to march towards Murfreesboro. The 23rd Kentucky went by way of Lavergne towards Murfreesboro and arrived in the area on December 29th, 1862. The 23rd was attached to Grose's brigade at the battle of Stones River and they were positioned on VanCleve Lane just right of the Nashville Pike before the battle began. Early on December 31st, they were moved to function as reserves behind the position they were occupying. As Confederate forces were sweeping around the right flank of the Union army, all they could do was wait and hold their position as they listened to sounds of battle rage on their right. By 9am, they still hadn't made contact with Confederate forces, however they were slowly making their way towards the 23rd's position. Around 10am on the 31st, the Union right flank had been pushed into a tight, V-shaped position along the Wilkinson Pike and VanCleve Lane. Grose's brigade was caught directly in the center of this position and went into retreat with the other men in the area. Grose reformed at their starting position on December 29th and the sun set on the first day of the battle of Stones River.

On the first of January, the 23rd Kentucky was sent across the west fork of the Stones River to hold a position behind a high ground. This position came into action in the evening on January 2nd, 1863, when Confederate infantry attempted to take the high ground. The men in the 23rd Kentucky rushed into the frigid waters of the Stones River and stopped the Confederate forces from taking the area. It is unclear in which phase of fighting that Private Hook died, but he lost his life on January 2nd, 1863, likely during these maneuvers.

William H Hook is buried in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot G-2754.