William T. Edgemon enlisted May 3, 1863 at Jasper, Arkansas, as a Private in Company K Second Mounted Rifles Arkansas Confederate Army. His unit was united with General Braxton Bragg's army of Mississippi. As a member of the 5th Tennessee Calvary E, he went through Kentucky with Bragg's Army. They met defeat at Louisville and Stone River, but won the Battle of Chickamauga. Soon after they were defeated at Chattanooga, Tennessee by General U.A. Grant in a three day battle, November 23 -25, 1863. He went from there to New Hope Church where he was captured and sent to Rock Island Prison in Illinois. To gain his freedom, he volunteered to serve one year in the United States Army, October 6, 1864. He was then a Private of Company F Second Regiment of U. S. Volunteers. He was sent to fight the Indians.

The following are accounts given to family members by William "Will" Edgemon:

The U.S. Volunteer Infantry was camped on a creek and when one of the men went to gather greens the Indians captured and scapled him. He made it back to camp without his scalp.

They were hiding from the enemy, when one of the men crawled into a hollow log, when the pursuers came along, one said "There is no use looking in there, a spider has spun a web over the end." A spider saved the man's life.

On October 10, 1865, the fourth day after his discharge, William was reported deserted from Fort Zarah, Kansas. A bounty of $100.00 was paid. On May 5, 1896, the charge of desertion of October 10, 1865, was removed from his record. Discharge dated October 10, 1865.

View William T. Edgemon's Discharge

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