Individual Details

1860 Census. Tarrant, Hopkins Co, TX, Hh 421
L. A. Williams, 27, School Teacher, b. TN
Susan, 20, b. TX


Ancestry Family Tree:
Luther A. Williams was born in North Carolina and married Susanna Permilla Ashcroft. Susanna was born in Shelby County, Texas. Sue Permilla Ashcroft came to Sulphur Springs, Texas sometime after 1855 to visit her sister, Elizabeth Adeline Wortham. She remained to teach at Tarrant and met and fell in love with Luther Williams. They were married and had a son, Jno D. Williams, born March 6, 1861, and a daughter, Fannie E. Williams, born December 10, 1862.

On February 4, 1862, Luther enlisted at Tarrant, Texas, which was a town just north of Sulphur Springs, for a 12-month period in the 32nd (also known as the 15th) Regiment Texas Cavalry of the Confederate Army. He served as a private until May 8, 1862 when he was promoted to 4th sergeant. Luther was appointed Sergeant Major on September 1, 1862 and assigned to duty on September 4th. Some of his military records show that he enlisted at Sulphur Springs, Texas.

On December 31, 1862, he was fighting in Maj. Gen. J. P. McCown's Division, at the battle in front of Murfreesboro, Tennessee (Stone River) and "wounded hand slightly". On February 1, 1863, a letter requesting a promotion for his gallantry on the battlefield of Murfreesboro was written to Gen. Braxton Bragg by Col. Julius A. Andrews. Gen. Ector also wrote of Col. Andrews at Murfreesboro that: "He and Maj. W. E. Estes, of the 15th Texas Regiment, together with their entire staffs, acted most gallantly." Therefore, on March 8, 1863, Luther was promoted to Jr. 2nd Lt. and by 20 April was in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Luther participated in the retreat from Shelbyville and Tullahoma.

As a member of Brig. Gen. M. D. Ector's brigade, he was involved in the fighting at Chickamauga and was killed in the battle on September 19, 1863. It was early in the battle and at that time, Ector's Brigade was coming to re-enforce Gen. N. B. Forrest's Cavalry in their fight with Brannan's Forces between Kelly's house and Reed's Bridge. Brig. Gen. M. D. Ector's Brigade sustained approximately 50% casualties at Chickamauga, i.e. 59 killed, 239 wounded and 138 missing: Total 536 of about 1200 men. Luther was one of the 59 men killed.

As a Confederate Officer, he was paid $90 per month and received his pay every two months. L.A. Williams name appears on a "Roster indorsed 'Rec'd' (A. & I. G. O.) November 29, 1864 of the 32d Regiment of Texas Volunteer, Ector's Brigade, French's Division, Stewart's Corps, Army Tennessee." The date and cause of vacancy is listed as "Death Sept. 19, 1863."

The 32d Regiment was organized May 8, 1862; mustered into Confederate service November 4, 1861 for 12 months. The 32d (also known as the 15th) Regiment Texas Cavalry was first organized November 4, 1861 as the 1st (also known as Crump's) Battalion Texas Cavalry. It was increased to a regiment, by the addition of independent companies, and dismounted May 8, 1862.

Birth	1833	Tennessee
Marriage	3 Feb 1860	Hopkins County, Texas - Susan Permilla Ashcroft
Death		Civil War

Spouse	Susan Permilla Ashcroft (1840 - 1916)
Child	John D. Williams (1861 - 1935)
Child	Fannie E. Williams (1862 - 1873)