Service/branch Union Army Role American Civil War | Name John Williams Years of service 1863–1865 Rank Private | |
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Battles/wars American Civil War
Battle of Palmito Ranch Died May 13, 1865, Cameron County, Texas, United States Place of burial Pineville, Louisiana, United States Battles and wars Battle of Palmito Ranch, American Civil War Allegiance United States of America, Union | ||
Alexandria National Cemetery Pineville, Louisiana | ||
John Jefferson Williams (1843 – May 13, 1865) was a Union soldier and private in Company B the 34th Regiment Indiana Infantry. He was killed at the Battle of Palmito Ranch, the last land battle of the Civil War, and is generally recognized as the last soldier killed in the American Civil War.
Biography
Williams was born in 1843 in Jay County, Indiana, and joined the Union Army September 1863, probably in Anderson. He moved to Camp Joe Holt where his unit drilled before being put on duty in the field. His regiment spent most of the war on guard and garrison duty in the Western Theatre, including New Orleans where he was stationed before his unit joined the army forming for the invasion and occupation of Texas in spring of 1865. He first saw action in the Battle of Palmito Ranch near Brownsville, Texas where he died May 13, 1865. Williams is recognized as being the last soldier to have been killed in action during the Civil War.
He is buried in the Alexandria National Cemetery in Pineville, Louisiana. His grave can be found in plot 797.