Malay, William D

William D Malay

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company G, 27th Illinois Infantry

Place of Birth:

Union, County Indiana

Date of Birth:

1833

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, TN

Date of Death:

December 31st, 1863

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, TN

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

William D Malay was born in Union County, Indiana in 1833. He moved to Rock Island County, Illinois and worked as a farmer before enlisting in the Union army. On August 20th, 1861, he enlisted as a private in New Boston, Illinois. Four days later, he mustered in on August 24th, 1861, at Camp Butler, Illinois at the age of 28. His enlistment records describe him as being 6' 1", very tall for the time, with black hair, brown eyes, and a dark complexion. Shortly after his enlistment, he had a rank change from Private to Corporal, serving in Company G of the 27th Illinois Infantry.

The regiment fought all along the Mississippi River before ending up in Nashville, Tennessee in December of 1862. In Nashville, they were assigned to be commanded by Brigadier General Roberts, Division General Sheridan, and Corps Commander McCook, functioning as part of the right wing of the Union Army of the Cumberland at the Battle of Stones River.

On December 30th, they spent the night in arms, anticipating the fighting that would come. In the early hours of December 31st, the 27th Illinois could hear sounds of battle to their right, where the Confederate Army of Tennessee had made contact with other Union troops. The 27th put up a good fight once they made contact, but by 12 o'clock of the same day, they were forced to retreat due to amounting losses of the fight and their lack of ammunition and resources. It was during these first engagements that the 27th Illinois had with the Army of Tennessee that Corporal Malay lost his life.

William D Malay is laid to rest in plot N-5537 at the Stones River National Cemetery.