Born in Wilmington, NC October 6, 1840 and
died at Sailor's Creek, near Farmville, VA
April 6, 1865. William grew up in the
Wilmington, NC area and was well liked by
all who knew him. At the age of 20, William
organized a group of young men under the
name of the "Cape Fear Riflemen." These
young men were part of the Militia that
occupied Fort Cashwell. After North Carolina
seceded, the Riflemen returned to Wilmington
and disbanded. William was commissioned
Captain (CSA), May 10, 1861 and immediately
organized the group as a Military Company.
William's Father, Oscar Grant Parsley
outfitted the Company and soon after
they were organized as Company F of
the newly formed Third North Carolina Reg-
ment, North Carolina Infanty. Orgnizaton of
the Third NC occurred May 16, 1861.
Archive records show the Third NC was muster-
ed into Confedrate Service July 20, 1861 for
three years service or for the War.
The Third NC received Orders to proceed to
the Richmond area in June 1861. Arriving
just after the Battle of Seven Pines, their
first battle was Mechanicsville, VA. They
fought in other Seven Days battles and at
Malvern Hill (July 1. 1862) Captain Parsley
was wounded by a shot in the neck. He was
given a three month furlough and returned to
Wilmington for rest and healing. After
returning to duty, he was in every battle
fought by the Third NC including Antietam/
Sharpsburg. Here Colonel William Lord
DeRosset, Commanding the Third was severely
wounded in the hip. Major Stephen D. Thrus-
ton was appointed to fill Colonel DeRosset's
position. Captain Parsley was appointed
Major on December 10, 1862.
After the winter of 1863, troops marched
to Maryland and Pennsylvania. Major Parsley
and the Third NC were involved during the
Gettysburg Campaign. At Culps Hill on the
second day (July 2, 1863) heavy fighting
occurred and all Officers in charge were
wounded and it fell upon Major Parsley to
lead the Unit. He did a splendid job and
was complimented on his leadership after the
battle. The Third NC lost many men in this
battle. Every Officer of Major Parsley old
Company was killed. The Third NC entered the
battle with 300 men & exited with no more
144. (Pfanz-Culp & Cemetery Hill).
James Sprunt notes that between Chancellors-
ville and Gettysburg received 2 slight wounds
one being a narrow escape from death by the
glancing fo a ball on the button of his coat.
After Gettysburg, on Oct 3, 1863 Major Pars-
ley was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the
Third NC. Colonel Thruston still absent
wounded and Lt. Col. Parsley was still
leading the Unit.
At the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House the
Third NC was in the heavy fighting at the Mule
Shoe. Captains John Cowan and James I. Metts
in their combined war memoirs report the entire
1st & Third NC were captured including Col.
Parsley. Most officers were sent to
Ft. Delaware.
Col. Parsley and 49 other Officers were sent
to Charleston Habor on the Prison ship
"Dragon" He was later released, came back to
Wilmington for a short rest and returned to
his unit with recruits, likely from Wilmington.
As the war was drawing to a close, Col Parsley
was involed in the Battle of Sailor's Creek,
VA on April 6, 1865. Here he lost his life
after 4 long years, when he was shot & killed
by a federal sharpshooter with his face to the
foe. (Sprunt)
Captain's Cowan & Metts had this to say about
their Wilmington Comrade: "Who ever knew
Willie Parsley, that did not love him? We
write not the empty words of the mere
panegyrist: we speak words of a candid
soberness and truth. He so impressed all with
whom he came in contact that no one who ever
met ever forgot him. He was the soul of honor.
Without fear, he was without reproach.
Knowing how to obey, he was the better fitted
to command. There was not the semblance of
dissimulation in any trait of his character.
You alwarys felt after an interview with him
that he was guided and controlled by an
honesty of purpose. He commanded in an
especial degree the esteem and confidence of
his superior officers. A report emanating
from Col Parsley, they knew, told the exact
status of the subject matter upon which they
were seeking information. They frequently
came to his headquarters socially and enjoyed
his hospitality. On duty he was the officer:
duty done, he was the kind, genial gentleman
and friend. Strictly conscientious in the
discharge of his religious obligations, no
asceticism marred the beauty and symmetry
of a well-ordered life. The scales of the
justice in his hands were well poised between
his company officers and the rank and file in
his commands. Every man in his Regiment
could appeal to him and be heard. Young in
years, he was experienced in true wisdom, and
would have been a most capable officer in any
of the gradations of rank. Killed in the
battle of Sailor's Creek, at the early age of
24, no Confederate soldier who yielded up his
life was more sincerely mourned, and no one
remembered with more grateful recollection."

Sources: Sprunt, Chronicles, Footnote:Archve,
Battle of Sailor's Creek,Greg Eanes,
Gettysburg-Culp's Hill & Cemetery Hill, Harry
W. Pfanz.
Doctor to the Front, Edited by Donald Koonce,
Memories of Dr. Thomas Fanning Wood.