William Cousins

By: Aiza Viryam

William Cousins was a civil war soldier born in March 18, 1840 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He entered the sixth Virginia cavalry as a private soldier at the age of 21. He spent a few years in the army and participated in many battles that took place in Virginia William Cousins is in the 1860s census, he was born, raised and resided in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Cousins was born to his father Willis G. Cousins and mother Elizabeth Maynard Cousins. He had six siblings which included four sisters and two brothers. After his time serving in the army William Cousins married Fannie James Turner, who was twelve years his junior, and they had a total of six children together William James, Henry Clay, John Willis, James Madison, Emma Dora and Louisa Bessie Cousins. He took part in the first Battle of Bull Run or First Manassas, it was the first battle that took place a couple months after he enlisted in 1861 in Virginia, this battle was a win for Cousins and the Confederate army. The Battle of Kessler’s Cross Lanes took place in what is now West Virginia on August 26, 1861. In March 1862 a naval battle between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia it was a draw. The Battle of Seven Pines took place in July of 1862 the Confederate army invaded yet the Union were still not defeated. The second battle of Bull Run in August 1862 was a also a confederate victory. William Cousins was also in the military for General Lee's greatest victory, The Battle of Chancellorsville. William Cousins had no medical or personal records. His card numbers were 50800123, 0068, 0188, 0291, 0372, 0460, 0544, 0628, 0719, and 0803. He was enlisted on May 27, 1861 in Camp Ashland by Major E. Johnson for one year and his company was Muster Roll. The Muster-in Roll from Pittsylvania, Virginia the Roll in was on February 16, 1862 in Camp Alleghany. He joined for duty on February 16, 1862 by John B. Baldmirin. He joined for the $50 bounty that was given for enlisting. In May and June 1862 he was present and paid by Captain Carter and Baldirim. He had absences in July and August due to sickness and returned on August 6, 1864. Surpassing his initial one year he signed up for and continued to renew for well over three years he was present up until January and February 1965. William Cousins had roll receipts for clothing in 1863 - 1864 which were included in his service record as well as other review documents. William Cousins participated as a confederate soldiers in the sixth Virginia cavalry during the Civil War for over three years, this was a volunteer based army team at the time. After his army career Cousins went on to start a family. William Cousins died at the age of 63 on January 17, 1903.

Works Cited

Service record (fOLD3) - Image url: https://www.fold3.com/image/7083715 Publication Number: M324 Publication Title: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia Publisher: NARA National Archives Catalog Title:Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Confederate Organizations, compiled 1903 - 1927, documenting the period 1861 - 1865 Record Group: 109 Battles - “Virginia is for Lovers.” The Civil War in Virginia. Virginia.org, 25 Apr. 2016. Web. 07 June 2016

Cousins William