Michigan's Civil War Citizen-General: Alpheus S. Williams

by Jack Dempsey

With vivid battlefield accounts based on extensive primary research, award-winning author Jack Dempsey's masterful biography tells the amazing story of an unsung hero.
Detroit's Alpheus Starkey Williams never tired in service to his city or his country. A veteran of the Mexican-American War, he was a preeminent military figure in Michigan before the Civil War. He was key to the Lost Order, the Battle of Gettysburg, the March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign. His generalship at Antietam made possible the Emancipation Proclamation, and Meade and Sherman relied on his unshakable leadership. A steady hand in wartime and in peacetime, Williams was a Yale graduate, lawyer, judge, editor, municipal official, militia officer, diplomat and congressman who stood on principle over party.

Genres: Civil War

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2019

About the author

I am an avid historian, former President of the Michigan Historical Commission and Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, and award-winning author. My writing focuses on the Civil War, the history of Michigan, and its cultural heritage. My book presentations have been featured at The Henry Ford, the Historical Society of Michigan, the Kerrytown Book Fest, historical museums, public libraries, Civil War Round Tables, in schools, and on public television and radio. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Michigan State University and a law degree from George Washington University. My wife, Suzzanne, and I live in Plymouth Township, Michigan.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend reading this book. It's a good biography of an accomplished Civil War general who didn't get the recognition he deserved in terms of promotions in rank and commands. The soldiers who served under him and several of his commanding officers knew his worth and respected, even loved, him. "From the Cannon's Mouth", a collection of his war-time letters to his family is well worth reading. Alpheus Williams' letters are candid, well written, and very engaging.

Alpheus Williams fought as a division commander against Stonewall Jackson in the 1862 Valley Campaign and at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, where his men caused the Stonewall Brigade to break. He took over command of the Army of the Potomac's XII Corps at Antietam after the death of Joseph Mansfield. Williams' troops cleared the East Woods and the Cornfield. Again leading the XII Corps at Chancellorsville, his troops lead the advance until ordered to retreat by Joseph Hooker and then they blunted Stonewall Jackson's flank attack after routing the XI Corps. At Gettysburg, the XII Corps sent reinforcements from the right flank to reinforce the left flank and center on the second day, weakening the defenses on Culp's Hill. Williams led a counter attack on the morning of the third day that retook those entrenchments.

The XI & XII Corps were sent west for the Chattanooga Campaign. The XII Corps pulled garrison duty protecting the railroad supply lines. Reformed into the XX Corps, they fought in the Army of the Cumberland during the Atlanta Campaign. They marched with Sherman to the Sea and through the Carolinas to the final surrender of the Army of Tennessee. Williams fought well at Resaca, Kolb's Farm, Averasboro, and Bentonville, among other battles.

This biography also covers Williams' civilian career in pre-war Detroit and as a congressman in Washington. The book has numerous photos of battlefields and monuments from the author's collection and maps of key battlefields and campaigns. The appendices also cover William's statute on Belle Isle and his gravesite in Detroit. Plus there's a discussion of published and unpublished source materials.

I recommend reading this book.