Born in Connecticut on September 20, 1810,
Alpheus S. Williams was to become one of Michigan’s most active
citizens of the 19th century. He was to lead a life as a businessman,
lawyer, newspaper editor, civil servant, politician, diplomat and
citizen soldier.
Williams studied law at Yale and traveled extensively before settling
in Detroit in 1836. He continued his studies in law and was admitted
to the Michigan bar in 1838. He married a widow, Jane Larned Pierson,
one of the daughters of General Charles Larned, and they had six
children. During the 1840’s, Williams was active in Whig politics
in Detroit. He served as Judge of both the Probate and Recorder’s
Courts and as Alderman for the Fifth Ward. In 1844, he unsuccessfully
ran for Mayor of Detroit. As a businessman, he was publisher and
editor of the Detroit Advertiser and was the President of the Bank
of St. Clair. He served as Postmaster of Detroit from 1849 to 1853.
Williams became active as a citizen soldier in 1836 when he joined
the Brady Guards. His first active service came in 1838 and 1839
during the Patriotic War. By 1844, he was Captain in the Michigan
Militia and by 1847 had risen to the rank of Colonel. In 1847 and
1848, Williams served as Lt. Colonel of the First Michigan Infantry
in service at the end of the Mexican War. In 1859, Governor Moses
Wisner appointed Williams to the post of Major General in the Michigan
Militia and, at the outbreak of the Civil War, Governor Austin Blair
appointed him Brigadier General of the First Michigan Brigade. On
August 12, 1861, Williams was commissioned Brigadier of the U. S.
Volunteers, the first Michigan general of the Civil War.
General Williams’ war record is extensive. He served as a
brigade commander, division commander and, for a time, as a corps
commander in the Army of the Potomac. He and his troops saw battle
at Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Winchester and Gettysburg.
Williams was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland in October
of 1863. He was commander of the 1st Division of the 20th Corps.
During the Atlanta Campaign, Williams and his men saw battle at
Resaca, New Hope Church, Kolb’s Farm, Peach Tree Creek and
in the siege and capture of Atlanta. In November of 1864, Williams
was made commander of the 20th Corps, the first troops to enter
Savannah. On January 12, 1865, Williams was breveted the rank of
Major General. In the Carolina Campaign, Williams fought in the
battles of Averasboro and Bentonville.
After the Civil War, Williams was elected President of the Detroit
Soldiers and Sailors Union and appointed Federal Commissioner to
Study War Claims in the State of Missouri. He ran for Governor of
Michigan in 1866 but was defeated by Henry H. Crapo. In the Fall
of 1866, President Andrew Johnson appointed Williams to the post
of Minister to El Salvador and he served until 1869. Williams was
elected to Congress in 1874 and 1876 but was defeated in 1878. While
in Congress, his main interest was the military and he worked actively
in all aspects of veterans’ affairs. Williams suffered a fatal
stroke while working at his desk in Congress. Williams died on December
21, 1878 at the age of 68.
Born: September 20, 1810
Died: December 21, 1878
Buried: Section B, Lot 94
