Military officer; born in New York in 1815; graduated at
West Point in 1837; was assistant
Professor of Mathematics there, and aide to
General Scott from 1844 to 1850, behaving gallantly in the war with
Mexico.
He was made brigadier-general of volunteers in September, 1861; commanded for a time the forts at
Hatteras, and accompanied
Butler in the expedition to New Orleans.
He was engaged in cutting the canal in front of
Vicksburg, and was placed in command at
Baton Rouge in August, 1862.
General Van Dorn sent
Gen. J. C. Breckinridge to seize the post.
He expected to be aided by the ram
Arkansas.
He attacked the Nationals vigorously on the morning of Aug. 5.
Williams had only about 2,500 men to oppose the assailants;
Breckinridge had 5,000.
The first blow struck fell upon
Maine,
Indiana, and
Michigan troops, who were pushed back; when others from
Connecticut,
Massachusetts, and
Wisconsin, with two sections of a battery, hastened to their relief.
The battle lasted about two hours.
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390]
The 21st Indiana lost all its field officers.
General Williams then took command of the regiment, and was leading them on, when he was killed by a bullet that passed through his breast.
The
Nationals fell back.
The Confederates, dreadfully smitten, did likewise, and retreated.
Baton Rouge was soon afterwards evacuated by the Nationals.
