The story goes that William received a letter from his wife stating that they were out of sugar and that he was to come home. He arrived home for a couple days. Bushwhackers got wind of several Confederate soldiers so came knocking. As Williams father talked to the bushwhackers trying to convince them he didn't know where his son was, William escape on horse back. The bushwhackers shot and killed Williams father and took off after William. They never caught him , he returned to his unit safe and sound.
Upon the surrender of Robert E. Lee, William sent a letter to his wife and told her to pack the wagon and head to Missouri; that he would meet them on the road. Hannah, his wife, packed the cover wagon, got the kids and one cow that was tied to the back and headed out.
William was a proud man that believed in the Confederate cause. He never surrendered to the Union. William and his family lived in Missouri for several years. Moved on the Kansas, was a wealthy cattle man; then moved on to Texas where him and his wife are buried today.
I'm proud to call myself a descendant of William!
neat story. these are the things that make history so fascinating... everybody is connected to it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. I'm rather proud to be able to tell the story of my ancestor. I'm trying to find more for my other ancestor.
ReplyDeleteGreat story. My Great Grandfather was Orville "Tonk" Mills, who lived outside Lake City,Kansas-- born in 1856. William Cloud Mills was his father, Hannah his mother, so I guess we are related. I'll have to start coming to the reunions, they sound like fun!
ReplyDeleteTracy Wettig, Wichita, Kansas
Hi Tracy, Nice to meet you. Yes, we are related. I have so much info for you. Talk to you soon!
ReplyDelete