Reuben Williams

Reuben Williams was born August 15, 1831, in Tiffin, Ohio and moved to Warsaw, Indiana in 1840. After learning the printing trade, he began publication of Northern Indianian. His newspaper was strongly Republican and the largest in Indiana. Williams enlisted as a private and was commissioned as second lieutenant in a company that became the 12th Indiana Infantry. He was promoted and served as captain until his term expired (the 12th had been organized for one year). Williams was captured by Stonewall Jackson in a skirmish on the Upper Potomac and sent to Richmond, Virginia. After spending nearly five months in Libby Prison, he rejoined his regiment near Winchester, Virginia. Upon being mustered out of the 12th, he assisted in its re-organization and was commissioned lieutenant colonel. The 12th was quickly ordered to Richmond, Kentucky. In a battle in Richmond on August 3, 1862, he was the only officer who was neither killed nor wounded. Williams was captured for the second time that same evening in an attempt to escape the area with his troops. Williams was promoted to colonel of the regiment when, as a result of his wounds, its previous colonel, William H. Link, died. The 12th was ordered to the Department of the Tennessee, and was then in the expedition of General Grant. On this expedition, at the time of Van Dorn’s raid at Holly Springs, Reuben Williams was again taken prisoner. Williams rejoined his regiment at Vicksburg. He was part of the expedition of General Sherman to Jackson, Mississippi. Williams commanded the 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corps in Sherman’s March from Memphis to Chattanooga. He also took part in the Atlanta campaign and March to Savannah. On March 13, 1865, Williams was promoted to Brevet Brigadier General for meritorious service during the war. He was mustered out of the service June 8, 1865. Williams died January 15, 1905, in Warsaw, Indiana and was buried there in Oakwood Cemetery.