Last updated: January 5, 2026
Person
Kensell, William
Quick Facts
Significance:
Company B, 21st Illinois infantry
Place of Birth:
Bush Co, Illinois
Date of Birth:
1840
Place of Death:
Murfreesboro, TN
Date of Death:
12/31/1862
Place of Burial:
Murfreesboro, TN
Cemetery Name:
Stones River National Cemetery
William Kensell was born in 1840 in Bush County, Illinois. He mustered in to Company B of the 21st Illinois infantry in June of 1861 at the age of 21. His rank was private.
Prior to the battle of Stones River, the 21st Illinois was engaged in a skirmish at Knob Gap. On the 30th of December, they had an engagement with Bragg's men along Gresham lane which preceded the official start of the battle. Once the time had come to fight at Stones River, the men were exhausted from skirmishing along their travel route. On the 31st of December, the men under Carlin's brigade had an early start in reaction to Confederate attacks, and withheld the enemy's attempts to sweep around their right flank and collapse them from within.
It was during these attacks that Private Kensell lost his life defending his country on December 31st, 1862. He was later laid to rest in plot N-5430 at the Stones River National Cemetery.