1ST LIEUTENANT WILLIAM H. McCARDELL
(W. A. McARDLE, W. H. McCARDLE, ETC.)
BORN; 1826 in GEORGIA
DIED: AUGUST 16, 1871 -- 45 years old.

OCCUPATION: 1850 CENSUS of Marion County shows him an OVERSEER for Judge William McGahagin, a farmer and Probate Judge. Later McGahagin was a Delegate to the "Secession Convention" at Tallahassee, January 1861, and he became Captain of a Home Guard Unit.
The 1860 CENSUS states that McCardell was a PLANTER with real estate valued at $1000 and personal at $500. It does not show his wife, but shows two daughters -- L. V. McCardel, age 7, and A. E. F. McCardel, age 5 --both born in Florida.
1870 CENSUS shows that McCardell was a FARMER with real estate valued at $3000 and personal $275.
MARRIED: On April 27,1853, to Mary F. Mann, daughter of Hiram T. Mann. She was born in 1838 in Georgia, according to the 1850 CENSUS. No further record has been found on Mary. She must have died sometime between 1855 (when her last child was born) and 1860. She is not mentioned in the 1860 or 1970 CENSUSES. Perhaps she died during the birth of the last child. It is believed that she was buried in the Indian Lake Cemetery, since the burial party was on their way there to bury Lt. McCardell when the hurricane necessitated a hasty burial beside the road near Lake Kerr.
NOTE: Hiram T. Mann was an 1850 Census Taker for Marion County, and he began with his own family which is listed as Family No. 1. He listed himself as white, age 54, a planter, born in S.C. He became a Judge and a member of the Confederate Legislature in Florida. He was a Trustee of the Ocala Methodist, with his name appearing on a deed, March 11, 1850. He owned the "log cottage hotel" at Silver Springs, where he entertained Col. Wood of Gen. Breckinridge's party on their escape through Marion County. "Ten years before, Judge Mann had entertained Lady Amelia Murray, an intimate friend of Lady Byron and maid of honor to Queen Victoria. While enjoying the beauty of Silver Springs she wrote one of her notable letters. Colonel Wood was fascinated by the sparkling transparency of the subterranean river that forms the Springs as it rushes from the earth through a vast cavern in a volume estimated at 300,000,000 gallons per day. He declared it to be the 'most beautiful submarine view I have ever seen.'" (Flight Into Oblivion)

CHILDREN: The 1860 CENSUS shows two daughters -- L. V. McCardel, age 7, born in Fla., and A. E. F. McCardel, age 5, born in Fla.
No more is known of A.E.F. McCardel. Perhaps she died as a child.
L. V. undoubtedly is Lydia Virginia McCardell, who married Alexander Holly on Nov. 28, 1871. One daughter was born to this marriage, Daisy Wanita Holly, on Sept. 30, 1875. Daisy married Henry L. Griggs, and they had four children: Elmer, Virginia, Carlos, and Myrtice. Daisy Holly Griggs died on July 13, 1932.

MILITARY SERVICE: Appointed 2nd Lt., Co. G, 4th Reg't Florida Infantry, June or Sept. 14, 1861.
Transferred to Co. H, 2nd Fla. Cavalry (Capt. J.J. Dickison's Company), on August 21, 1862, as a 1st Lt.
Paroled on May 20, 1865, at Waldo, Fla.
Lt. McCardell is mentioned by name at least twelve times in Mrs. Dickison's book, Dickison and His Men, telling of some of the various battles and skirmishes he was involved in. Probably the most important battle was the Battle of Gainesville on Aug. 17, 1864. Lt. McCardell was assigned the left flank to take the depot. Lt. McEaddy had the right flank. Lt. Dozier drove down the center. They took some 200 prisoners and chased the others for 15 miles, killing and capturing many on the road. "This glorious little victory saved East and South Florida." (Dickison and His Men, p. 96).
The Battle of Middleburg took place on October 24, 1864, with Lt. McCardell in command of a detachment of Company H. The enemy were cattle thieves. "They were driving in a large drove of fine cattle to enrich their commissary stores with what they called 'rebel beef.'" (Dickison and His Men, p. 108). The battle was short but successful. The enemy's loss was nine killed and sixty-five prisoners, twelve wounded. 75 fine horses and all of their arms, including Spencer rifles, pistols, and sabers. None of Dickison's men were hurt.
On February 13, 1865, there was the spectacular Battle of No. 4, Near Cedar Keys 52 men from Co. H were under Lts. McCardell and McEaddy. With reinforce-ments from other companies, they squared off against two regiments of white and negro troops, from 600 to 700 strong. Unfortunately, they ran out of ammunition, and the enemy escaped during the night. The enemy's loss was 70, killed and taken prisoner. No loss to our side. Six were severely wounded. The slaves, horses and several hundred head of cattle, along with other stolen property, were recaptured and returned to the owners. Dickison is quoted, "had our ammunition come up in time, we would have captured the entire force."

But probably Lt. McCardell's most courageous act was after he had been paroled. Co. H, 2nd Fla. Cavalry, was paroled at Waldo on May 20, 1865. The very next day, Capt. Dickison requested that Lt. McCardell escort Gen. John C. Breckinridge (Secretary of War, CSA) from Gainesville, through Marion County, to the St. John's River, where he would board a small boat and make his escape through the inter-coastal waterway to the open Atlantic and then to Cuba. A. J. Hanna's book, Flight Into Oblivion, describes the entire escape in much detail. While the lifeboat from the Columbine was being recovered from its hiding place, Gen. Breckinridge and party enjoyed the hospitality of Marion Countians. While Gen. Breckinridge was being entertained by Capt. William A. Owens at "Rutland" near Orange Lake, Colonel Wood proceeded to Silver Springs with Lt. McCardell, where he was a guest in the "log cabin hotel" of Judge Hiram T. Mann, Lt. McCardell's father-in-law. On May 26th, 1865, Lt. McCardell guided Breckinridge and his men to Ft. Butler (present day Astor) where the lifeboat of the Columbine was waiting. "It was a four-oared open cutter about 17 feet in length with a place in front to step a very small mast, so as to use a sail."
A. J. Hanna records, "Before saying goodbye to the escaping party, McCardell sold his shotgun to Colonel Wood and was rewarded with the Colonel's horse for his services as guide.

Two other sources which I have record The Last Official Act of the Confederacy. "Breckinridge wanted to show his gratitude to the guide, Lt. William McCardell, for leading them to the vessel. 'I have but a few more hours of authority,' he said, 'but such services as you have rendered your country deserve reward. You shall be a major; I will make out your commission now.' McCardell did not seem pleased. 'Well, my friend?' asked Breckinridge. McCardell replied 'well, you see, gineral, thar's a feller in our regiment what hain't done nothin', and he is a major and a quartermaster; and if it's all the same to you, I would just like to rank him for oncet.' At once Breckinridge wrote a commission for Lieutenant Colonel. This was the last official act of the Confederate States of America -- a promotion on the swampy banks of the St. Johns given half in jest to an officer who, it turned out, had already surrendered to and taken parole from the Federals.'" (This quote is from, "The Cruel Odyssey of Rebel Statesman John Breckinridge," by William C. Davis, and probably came from Gen. Breckinridge's "Escape Diary," or Col. Wood's Diary.)

DIED: August 16, 1871, in his home at Lake Kerr.
The following article is quoted from Ocali Country by Eloise Robinson Ott and Louis Hickman Chazal.
As the winds of political turmoil and adversity swept Marion County, nature wrought a storm which, with devastating fury, swept through this area, bringing wide¬spread destruction and loss. On the evening of August 16th, 1871, a hurricane began, one of the few ever to reach Ocala, and for two days and nights gales of terrific force continued, accompanied by incessant rain. Houses were damaged, trees uprooted, and cotton and cane flattened in flooded fields. Ruined crops on the plantations and felled timber in the woods bore evidence of the power of the wind which with peculiar violence leveled a wide swath through the forest east of the Ocklawaha, visible through many after years. The "great storm" as it was long referred to, gave an added and bitter touch of discouragement to those whose misfortunes now seemed insurmountable.
When the blow was beginning, Lt. William H. McCardell lay dying, oblivious to the great gusts which even then were twisting and tearing the pines surrounding his home near Lake Kerr.
During four years in the Confederate Army, McCardell had seen much action. He had led a detachment which surprised six companies of Federal soldiers near St. Augustine, and had held them in check until reinforcements compelled their retreat. His last duty before parole had been as guide to General Breckinridge during his escape through Florida, an undertaking fraught with personal danger.
Now a life in which much courage had been demanded was ending. For days, relatives and friends had awaited its termination, and after death had come, performed the one simple requirement, the making of a narrow wooden box of hand hewn planks.
Torrential rains were falling as the funeral procession set out for the burial grounds at Indian Lake Church. But the increasing intensity of the wind and falling trees halted the mourners, and a grave was hurriedly hollowed beside the road. Here, without ritual, the body of Lieutenant McCardell was interred.
Long afterward a small headstone bearing the name and the brief inscription "Member of Dickison's Cavalry" has marked the lonely grave near the highway between Lake Kerr and Eureka.


100 YEARS LATER: The journey which began in August 1871, was not completed until October 21, 1971. On August 17, 1971, the 100th anniversary of Lt. McCardell's death, his two great granddaughters and only known descendants, Mrs. J. Leland Luffman and Mrs. Clayton B. Furr of Ocala, began plans to complete the 20 mile journey of Lt. McCardell to the Indian Lake Cemetery.
When all the requirements were met for the removal of his remains, Leland Luffman and Funeral Director, Kenneth Roberts, went to the grave on October 21, 1971, made the disinterment from the roadside burial spot and the new interment in the Indian Lake Cemetery. The journey was finally completed.
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MEMORIAL SERVICE AND DEDICATION OF PLAQUE: On March 11, 1972, the Marion Dragoons Chapter, UDC, Ocklawaha, and the Marion Dragoons Cadets Chapter, Children of the Confederacy, held a memorial service at the new gravesite and dedicated a bronze plaque to the memory of Lt. McCardell, who was second in command to Capt. J. J. Dickison, of the famed Co. H, 2nd Florida Cavalry Unit.

Compiled by: Chaplain Elden H. Luffman, Lt.Commander, USN (Retired) great-great grandson of Lt. William H. McCardell