Parents:
- George Henry Waesche [1804-1849]
- Catherine Cassell [1811-1891].

In 1849, news came about a discovery of gold in California. William Henry and his father (and two cousins), seized the opportunity to join others from Maryland to seek a fortune far from their home. Instead of heading west with the pioneering horse and wagon convoy, they boarded a schooner named "Creole" to sail south through the Gulf of Mexico to Panama. Once there, they had to trek through the dense forests and swamps to get to the Pacific Ocean on the south side of the country in order to continue their journey to California. (The Panama Canal wasn't built for another 60 years.) Sadly, as expected, many got yellow fever (malaria) and died, including his father. Those in his company that survived turned around and came back to Maryland.

Military Service

35th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, Company B, Lt. Col. Elijah Veirs White's "Comanches", as a Private, during the Civil War (Confederate States of America - CSA).

VA Infantry:
- Enlisted April 18, 1861 as 1st Sergeant
- 10th Regiment, VA Infantry, Company B (April 18, 1861)
- 2nd Lieutenant (October 23, 1862)

Parents:
- George Henry Waesche [1804-1849]
- Catherine Cassell [1811-1891].

In 1849, news came about a discovery of gold in California. William Henry and his father (and two cousins), seized the opportunity to join others from Maryland to seek a fortune far from their home. Instead of heading west with the pioneering horse and wagon convoy, they boarded a schooner named "Creole" to sail south through the Gulf of Mexico to Panama. Once there, they had to trek through the dense forests and swamps to get to the Pacific Ocean on the south side of the country in order to continue their journey to California. (The Panama Canal wasn't built for another 60 years.) Sadly, as expected, many got yellow fever (malaria) and died, including his father. Those in his company that survived turned around and came back to Maryland.

Military Service

35th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, Company B, Lt. Col. Elijah Veirs White's "Comanches", as a Private, during the Civil War (Confederate States of America - CSA).

VA Infantry:
- Enlisted April 18, 1861 as 1st Sergeant
- 10th Regiment, VA Infantry, Company B (April 18, 1861)
- 2nd Lieutenant (October 23, 1862)