William Cephas
William Cephas served in the 55th Massachusetts Infantry with Company D from May 23, 1864 to August 29, 1865. He was born around 1845 in Jefferson County, West Virginia to unknown parents.1 There are no census records detailing his childhood or his middle-age years. According to his Company Description military record in the "U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas", William was 18 years old, five foot, three and a half inches, at his enlistment.2 He had a "light" facial composition with black hair and black eyes and was a laborer.3 His Muster-out Roll in the "U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas" states that he was free on or before April 19, 1861.4 He enlisted and mustered in at Readville, Massachusetts on May 31st as a private.5 During his military service, he received negative remarks and decreased pay. According to his Charges and Specifications Letter in the "U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas", Lieutenant Robertson James of the 55th Massachusetts Regiment, Company I delivered the following three charges for Private William Cephas on August 21, 1864: conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline; refusing to obey orders; and using violence toward his superior officer.6 After the charges, Lieutenant James detailed his behavior as using "contempuous language" and violence toward his superior.7 Luckily, his General Order found him "not guilty" of those three charges and allowed him to continue service.8 On August 29, 1865, he discharged and mustered out in Charleston, South Carolina; he was required to pay $6.80 for clothing and $6.00 for gun and military equipment (not stated whether clothing or rifle equipment).9
It is not stated whether Private William Cephas had a fiance or was married to anyone. Unfortunately, he passed away at the young age of around 22 years old (March 27, 1867).10 There are no death records or death certificates stating the cause of death or the location in which he lived. In addition, there are no digitized images or print images of Private William Cephas. However, his burial record in the Report for Veterans' Registration Record states that he was buried in "Section B-1 Grave 29" of the "Public Colored" section of the Lincoln Cemetery (Carlisle, Pennsylvania); he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and had a Marble tombstone.11 His headstone was provided by D.W. Whitney.12
1. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for William Cephas, 2012.
2. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas, 2007.
3. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas, 2007.
4. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas, 2007.
5. U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for William Cephas, 2012.
6. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas, 2007.
7. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas, 2007.
8. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas, 2007.
9. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas, 2007.
10. U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas, 2007.
11. Donson, 34.; Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 1861-1904 for William Cephas, 92.
12. Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 1861-1904 for William Cephas, 92.
Bibliography:
Donson. Report for Veterans' Registration Record. Past Perfect. Cumberland County Historical Society: Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1934.
Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 1861-1904 for William Cephas. Ancestry.com. Record Group: 92. National Archives: Washington, D.C., 2007. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/1195/MIUSA1879.
Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012 for William Cephas. Ancestry.com. Series 1. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission: PA, 2010. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/1967/31501.
U.S. Find A Grave Index, 1600s to Current for William Cephas. Ancestry.com. Find A Grave: USA, 2012. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130192963.
U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865, for William Cephas. Ancestry.com. National Archives: Washington, D.C., 2007. ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/1107/m1801.