Lewis, William L

William L Lewis

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company K, 22nd Illinois Infantry Regiment

Place of Birth:

South Wales

Date of Birth:

1841

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, TN

Date of Death:

12/31/1862

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, TN

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

William L Lewis was born in 1841 in South Wales. He immigrated to America and lived in Belleville, Illinois and worked as a miner. He was described as small in stature, standing at about 5 feet and 5 inches tall, with a fair complexion and gray eyes. On June 25th, 1861, he mustered in to the Union at the age of 20 in Caseyville, IL. He joined as a private in Company K of the 22nd Illinois Infantry lead by Brigadier General Roberts and Division General Sheridan. Prior to the battle of Stones River, Lewis had a rank change from Private to Corporal.

At the Battle of Stones River, the 22nd Illinois was front and center to the worst fighting that happened at the Battle of Stones River. They were positioned along Wilkinson Pike waiting as the Confederates swept around the Union's right flank. Around 10am, the Confederates made contact with their position and by noon they were in retreat. The 22nd Illinois lost 199 men out of the 312 men that they went in with, including William Lewis that day, December 31st, 1862. The regiment also lost every horse belonging to them, uncluding the Battery's horses.

William L Lewis is laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot C-1119.