William Anderson

Article telling the story of three African-American Civil War veterans who have been exhumed and buried with honors at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

William Anderson served with the U.S.C.T. in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. He was born around 1843 or 1845, in Xenia, Ohio. The 1850 Federal Census recorded him living in Xenia, with his mother Matilda, and his siblings Mary, John, Mack, Nancy, and Alice.1 In 1860, the Federal Census listed him as being fifteen years old, and still living with his mother and three of his siblings, M (Mack), Nancy, and Alice. According to the census, he was also attending school at that time.2 His military records state that he was working as a steward before he joined the military. He enlisted in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry as a private on April 30, 1863, in Ohio, and was mustered out May 13, 1863, from Fort Wagner, South Carolina. While the details are unknown, at some point during his service he was promoted to the rank of corporal. According to his military records he was killed in combat, however the date of his death is not stated.3

Originally buried in unmarked graves in Irishtown cemetery, William Anderson was exhumed and given a new casket in 2016, and buried in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, with full military honors and a 21-gun salute.4 

 

  1. 1850 United States Federal Census for William Anderson, 26B.
  2. 1860 United States Federal Census for William B Anderson, 198.
  3. William Anderson, U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865.
  4. “Remains of 3 black Civil War veterans buried in Pa.”, Standard-Speaker, A11, Nov 18, 2016; “Belated honors”, LNP Always Lancaster, 15, Nov 17, 2016.

Bibliography:

1850 United States Federal Census for William Anderson. Ancestry.com. 26B. NARA: Washington, 2009. 1850 United States Federal Census - AncestryLibrary.com

1860 United States Federal Census for William B Anderson. Ancestry.com. 198. NARA: Washington, 2009. 1860 United States Federal Census - AncestryLibrary.com

William Anderson. Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines in the Civil War; National Archives: Index to Federal Pension Records. Ancestery.com. Historical Data Systems, Massachusetts. U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 - AncestryLibrary.com

“Belated honors”. LNP Always Lancaster. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Nov 17, 2016. Page 15. https://www.newspapers.com/image/569329049

“Remains of 3 black Civil War veterans buried in Pa”. Standard-Speaker. Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Nov 18, 2016. https://www.newspapers.com/image/526811228

Search form

Regiment

Geographic Connection(s) to Cumberland County

Enlistment Location

Date of Enlistment

04/30/1863

Hometown:

Birthdate

01/01/1843

Burial Location