William W. Wight

William Wight was born sometime around 1817. Although born in New York state, William Wight had moved to Livonia, Michigan and established himself as a prominent farmer. He was actively involved in recruiting Company K, and became its captain.. His 18 year old son Wallace enlisted with him and became the 4th Sergeant of Company K.

In addition to his son, "goodly number" of men enlisted in Captain Wight's company at a rally held in Livonia Center on August 1, 1862.

William Wight's commission was dated July 23, 1862, making him one of the more senior captains in the regiment. He was mustered into service on August 14, 1862.

During the battle of Fredericksburg a cannonball careened at head level through the ranks of Company K. Lt. Birrell and three others, including Sgt. Wallace Wight Wight were decapitated, another man killed, and three wounded. "It was truly a mournful event when the the Captain of Company K, that night, searched for the trunkless head of his son upon the battlefield, while canister was whistling above him, and placed it on the boys remains for burial!" (Curtis p. 95) It was impossible to send the bodies home for burial, and so Wallace Wight was buried on the field. The next spring during the action at Fitzhugh's crossing, the bodies of Wallace Wight and Lt. Birrell were recovered and re-buried north of the Rappahannock.

William Wight was on sick leave from January 1 to February 8, 1863, probably so that he and his family could recover from poor Wallace's death.

He was wounded in action at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. Captain Wight rejoined the regiment on Culp's Hill as soon as he was able. There on July 2, the regiment was consolidated into just 4 companies. Captain Wight commanded the remnants of Companies A and F. In his official report, Colonel Morrow said that "Captain William W. Wight exhibited much coolness and courage."

He went on sick leave from August 1 to October 6, 1863. After he returned, he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel on November 22, 1863, although he was not mustered at that rank until February 1, 1864.

As the Lieutenant Colonel, William Wight was in command of the regiment during the absences of Colonel Morrow. He was in command of the regiment from February 1 to 28, 1864, and again from March 8 to 11. He once more assumed command of the regiment from March 21 to May 1. When Colonel Morrow was wounded in the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, Lt. Colonel Wight again took command. He led the regiment from May 5 to May 9. During this period he was much affected by an unspecified illness. He was in the field hospital from May 9 to 23, 1863, leaving the regiment in the capable hands of Albert Edwards.

William Wight returned to duty, although not fully recovered and led the regiment from May 23 to June 9, 1863. At the battle of North Anna, on May 23, 1864, an action in which the Iron Brigade as a whole performed badly and broke, Lt. Colonel Wight helped to rally some of the men and performed well.

Unfortunately Wight's health was shattered; he resigned because of his disability on June 9, 1864. He turned the regiment over to Albert Edwards and left the regiment behind their entrenchments near Bethesda Church. After leaving the regiment William Wight still corresponded with some of the men in his old company. In his diary, Webster Wood mentions corresponding with his old captain.

During his service with the regiment, William W. Wight was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Fitzhugh Crossing, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Locust Grove, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, , Jericho Ford, North Anna, Tolopotomy and Bethesda Church (Cold Harbor). He led the regiment at the Wilderness after Colonel Morrow was wounded, and then Laurel Hill, Jericho Ford, North Anna, and Bethesda Church.

He also participated in the Port Royal and Westmoreland expeditions, the Campaign of Maneuvers, Mine Run, and also the Reconnaissance to Raccoon Ford.

In the presidential election of 1864 William Wight was appointed to bring ballots from Michigan so that the soldiers of the 24th could vote. After the men had voted, he checked the ballots and then returned them to Michigan. The 24th Michigan cast 117 votes for Lincoln and only 49 for McClellan, despite the large number of democrats in the regiment.

William Wight appears to have still been alive at the time O. B. Curtis' history of the 24th Michigan was published in 1891. He would have been 74 at that point.

The photograph of William Wight comes from Curtis, page 315.