Born in England William came to the U.S. with his parents, Father-William Borrett and Mother Mariah Ball Borrett, and three younger brothers sometime in 1850. They settled in Delaware Co., Ia. near Colesburg. William enlisted at age 21 in the "Delaware Co. Guards" on July 1, 1861. They would soon merge into Co. K, 5th Iowa Infantry. From a letter dated Sept. 15, 1861,"This morning while yet on the "War Eagle" a man fell overboard. Col. Worthington happened to see him struggling when he immediately plunged in and saved him". In G.H. Ellis' diary(also of Co. K) under date of Sept.17, 1861 is the entry," William Borrett committed suicide by shooting himself about 5 P.M. (while onboard the "War Eagle")". In a letter to the "Keokuk County News" is found, "On Sept.16 a man committed suicide by stabbing himself with a bayonet. He belonged to co. H(K) and was the same man who was rescued from drowning by Col. Worthington on the morning of Sept.15". In Iowa Adj. Gen. Report his date of death is listed in error as Sept.19, 1861. It seems William had an eye condition that became so severe it was decided to discharge him for disability. As he was the sole support for his parents and brothers he became so distraught he committed suicide. His Captain and the Col. reported he had been shot and killed from the shoreline by rebel bushwhackers so he could receive a burial with honors and his parents could receive a pension. He was buried at the landing at Jefferson City, Mo. It is presumed he was later moved to the National Cemetery at Jefferson City, Mo. and buried as an unknown.
Born in England William came to the U.S. with his parents, Father-William Borrett and Mother Mariah Ball Borrett, and three younger brothers sometime in 1850. They settled in Delaware Co., Ia. near Colesburg. William enlisted at age 21 in the "Delaware Co. Guards" on July 1, 1861. They would soon merge into Co. K, 5th Iowa Infantry. From a letter dated Sept. 15, 1861,"This morning while yet on the "War Eagle" a man fell overboard. Col. Worthington happened to see him struggling when he immediately plunged in and saved him". In G.H. Ellis' diary(also of Co. K) under date of Sept.17, 1861 is the entry," William Borrett committed suicide by shooting himself about 5 P.M. (while onboard the "War Eagle")". In a letter to the "Keokuk County News" is found, "On Sept.16 a man committed suicide by stabbing himself with a bayonet. He belonged to co. H(K) and was the same man who was rescued from drowning by Col. Worthington on the morning of Sept.15". In Iowa Adj. Gen. Report his date of death is listed in error as Sept.19, 1861. It seems William had an eye condition that became so severe it was decided to discharge him for disability. As he was the sole support for his parents and brothers he became so distraught he committed suicide. His Captain and the Col. reported he had been shot and killed from the shoreline by rebel bushwhackers so he could receive a burial with honors and his parents could receive a pension. He was buried at the landing at Jefferson City, Mo. It is presumed he was later moved to the National Cemetery at Jefferson City, Mo. and buried as an unknown.
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