Le Roy Williams
Le Roy Williams (August 18, 1845 – February 14, 1930) was an American soldier who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the American Civil War.
Le Roy Williams | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | August 18, 1845 Oswego, New York |
| Died | February 14, 1930 (aged 84) |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1862 - 1865 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | Company G, 8th New York Heavy Artillery |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Cold Harbor |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor |
Biography
Williams joined the Union Army in July 1862,[1] and served with Company G of the 8th New York Heavy Artillery. He received the Medal of Honor on April 1, 1898, for his actions in recovering the remains of the regiment's commander Peter A. Porter at the Battle of Cold Harbor in Virginia. He was later promoted to first lieutenant, and was transferred to the 10th New York Infantry shortly before the regiment was mustered out in June 1865.[2]
After the war, Williams lived in Niagara, New York where he worked as a customs collector,[3] and later in Buffalo, New York[4] and Lansing, Michigan.[5]
Medal of Honor citation
Citation:
Voluntarily exposed himself to the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters and located the body of his colonel who had been killed close to the enemy's lines. Under cover of darkness, with 4 companions, he recovered the body and brought it within the Union lines, having approached within a few feet of the Confederate pickets while so engaged.[6]
References
- 8th NY Heavy Artillery Regimental Roster
- 10th NY Infantry Regimental Roster
- See the 1870 census for Niagara City, Niagara County, New York, page 30, lines 24 through 26
- See the 1880 census for Buffalo City, Erie County, New York, page 30, lines 22 through 25
- See the 1900 census for the second precinct of Lansing City, Ingham County, Michigan, page 6B, lines 90 through 92
- Congressional Medal of Honor Society