Their Story
William English was born in Hardin, Kentucky about 1837. When William was 27 years old, he ran away from slavery and enlisted in the Union Army at Lebanon, Kentucky[1]. William was first attached to a detachment of Colored recruits. These recruits were sent by railroad to Louisville, Kentucky. There they were transferred to the 108th Infantry Regiment (USCT).[2]
After receiving their equipment, and their training they were sent by train to Rock Island Prison Barracks to guard Confederate prisoners of war.[3]
Private English was assigned to Company K. His entry in the Regimental Descriptive Book could be that of any of hundreds of the members of the Regiments. His occupation was listed as Farmer. The Regiments Descriptive Book shows Private English was 5 foot 6 inches tall with Black Hair, and Black Complexion. His record shows his Owner was Silas English, and that he enlisted without consent.
The only other noteworthy entry is that Private English was admitted to the Rock Island Post Hospital with Typhoid Fever. Typhoid Fever is generally spread due to unsanitary conditions. The only source of water was a spring, or the Mississippi River. Both sources were not healthy and contributed to much disease in the post.[4]
Private English is one of fifty members of the 108th Infantry buried at Rock Island.[5] Private William English died on Oct 27, 1864.
[1] Fold3 Civil War Service Records (CMSR) – Union – Colored Troops 56th-138th Infantry, Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served the United States Colored Troops: 56th-138th USCT Infantry, 1864-1866. https://www.fold3.com/image/302625296 (Accessed 6/9/2023).
[2] The Road to Freedom A History of the 108th Infantry Regiment (USCT) by Edwin Reiter, Published 2015.
[3] IBID
[4] IBID
[5] Fold3 Civil War Service Records (CMSR) – Union – Colored Troops 56th-138th Infantry, Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served the United States Colored Troops: 56th-138th USCT Infantry, 1864-1866. Accessed 5/23/2023.