Sergeant in the 21st Illinoi. Also a member of the Vet. Vol. Pioneer Corp. William's brother, Wellington, fought in the 5th Missouri Cavalry. As a Pioneer, William fought at Stone's River where a great-great uncle (Gordon Beard) was killed. Gordon Beard was a member of the 18th U.S. Infantry. The Pioneers supported the 18th as the 18th retired from the battlefield.