Military Monday ~ William H. Gillespie

William Henry Gillespie was born in Mississippi circa 1842.  The 1860 census shows him living in Black River, Catahoula Parish.

William served in Company D of the 3rd Regiment, Louisiana Cavalry during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865.

From a collection of letters written during the Civil War, we find the following correspondence from Brigadier-General C. J. Polignac to Major L. Bush, Assistant Adjutant General:

Headquarters Polignac's Brigade, Harrisonburg, Louisiana - March 3, 1864

"Capt. W. H. Gillespie with 50 cavalry engaged the enemy on the west bank of the Black River all the way up to Trinity, the enemy responding with a brisk artillery fire.  The six boats stopped in front of Trinity and shelled the place and its neighborhood.  I had disposed of my infantry force along the north of Little River to protect, as best I could the pontoon bridge, and also to detain the enemy, if possible, long enough for the captain of the Ruby (now engaged in getting lumber on Little River for the Engineer Corps) to be notified of their approach by a courier previously sent by me.  The boats, however, did not come up Little River, and Lieut. O. Gaudet, in command of the only section of artillery that I had opened on them with two 12-pound howitzers, which of course, were unable to check their progress.  This officer behaved very well.  His action was within 300 yards of the iron-clad boat, and stood the unequal contest with a great deal of coolness."

"As soon as the gun-boats had run past Trinity, and thus made apparent their intention of attacking Harrisonburg, I moved my infantry back to that place that same night, as I had to ferry the Bushley Bayou, a navigable stream, where the enemy could easily head me off.  It had rained the day previous and the road had become almost impassable.  Two caissons had to be left behind.  I have since had them pulled out and brought to camp.  I ordered the cavalry to remain at Trinity.  Capt. John G. Randle, by some unaccountable mistake, took his cavalry up Little River, so the duty of guarding the town devolved upon Captain Gillespie alone.  This young officer behaved throughout with coolness, energy and judgement, and I take great pleasure in commending him to the officers above me."

William Henry Gillespie married Maria A. Cuny and had the following children:

Laura, 1868-bef 1880
William Henry, Jr., 1872-1849

The date of death for William Henry Gillespie, Sr. is unknown.  Louisiana marriage records show a Mary A. Gillespie marrying John A. Wansley in Catahoula Parish on January 31, 1878.  It is assumed that William died after his son's birth in 1872 and before his wife's second marriage in 1878.

William Henry Gillespie, Sr. is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.