Biography

William Hall was born about 1834 in Floyd County, Kentucky. He was the son of William Hall, Sr. and Elizabeth Ray. On January 29, 1855 he married Malinda Stapleton in Johnson County, Kentucky. Their children were: Polly, born May 12, 1855, William N., born June 1, 1857, and Alfred, born July 12, 1860.

William enlisted in the 39th on October 11, 1862 and on December 4th of that year he was captured by the rebels in the Battle of Wireman's Shoals. John W. Howe and Isaac Goble, 1st Lt. Company A, who were also captured that day describe the experiences of those prisoners of war in an affidavit for Samuel Hanna.

From John W.Howe, Clerk of the Court, Paintsville, Johnson Co., Ky. Deposition Speaking of Isaac Goble, and others in regard to Reverand Samuel Hanna.

That he was not a soldier but was summoned in with other citizens by John B.Auxier to protect Army supplies on some flatboats in Floyd Co. about 4 Dec.1862, and at the time of the battle, fought for said boats, called Wireman's Shoals. On the 4th Dec.1862, he was captured by the rebel forces and was with the claimant, thence to Richmond,Va., and through the winter was in the same prison with him, and from his personal experience, says that the claimant was marched on foot a large portion of the way and until a railroad was reached. It was winter, and of nights, the claimant with him and others were placed in rail pens, without covering and greatly exposed. That at Richmond,Va., the claimant and witness were confined together without fire and remained so until the next May, being greatly exposed to cold, and had not enough to eat either.

Signed: John W. Howe

William Hall died of a fever in Richmond, Virginia on the 15th of March 1863.

Source of information: Brian E. Hall