J. William Hutcheson, a lawyer, member of the Texas Secession Convention, and Confederate officer, was the oldest son of Charles Sterling and Mary M. Hutcheson Hutcheson. William attended Randolph-Macon College in Boydton, Virginia, from 1846 to 1850 and afterwards the University of Virginia Law School, from which he graduated in 1852. He was then admitted to the Virginia Bar. In the fall of 1853 he emigrated from VA to Texas and set up a law office in Anderson, Grimes County. William first practiced alone but later joined at separate times with Sam Houston & his brother-in-law Isham G. Searcy. As part of his practice, he looked after the interests of Virginia real estate investors to include his great uncle Dr. Sterling Neblett of "Brickland", Lunenburg County, VA. His fame as a trial lawyer was secured when he & Sam Houston successfully defended Mr. John Baker who was accused of killing Mr. Benjamin Stuckley in a well publicized April 1857 murder trial.On September 11, 1855 after a years courtship he married Laura Baker a daughter of Isaac Baker the patrician of "The Cedars", Plantersville, TX. He purchased lots 1,2 & 3 in Block 9 East in Anderson on 3/15/56 where he & his family settled. They had one daughter, Laura, born in 1857. William was admitted to the State Bar of Texas on February 10, 1858. He was a Mason & by the 1860 census was shown to have accumulated land and personal assets worth $28,500.00 to include 10 slaves ages 3 months to 37 years old. In politics he ran against Anthony M. Branch for the State Senate for the future 9th State Legislature. As war threatened he withdrew his candidacy and was voted instead a member of the Texas State Convention which was to consider secession. He along with fellow attorney & Randolph-Macon graduate Reuben J. Palmer from Montgomery County voted to pass the Secession Ordinance on 2/1/1861. Reuben was the brother of Texas State Senator and 7th District Court Judge, Edward A. Palmer.
Texas officially seceded in early March and by Wednesday 7/31/1861 William had recruited, funded and mustered 100 men to fight for the Confederacy. In August, under his command, the Grimes County Greys traveled overland to Camp Van Dorn near Harrisburg, TX for training & then on to VA as follows: rail to Houston & Beaumont, steamer to Niblett's (Neblett's) bluff, foot to New Iberia, steamer to Brashear, rail to New Orleans, & rail to Mississippi for Virginia. He wrote to his kinsman Dr. Neblett in Virginia on 8/6/1861 from Camp Van Dorn: "You may pledge my company to take any position or perform any service which is active and promises renown. From your knowledge of the surroundings there, do something for me that will enable me to do something for myself which I know you can from your influences about Richmond. Mine is a good company, brave and of good moral tone. Our style is the Grimes Co. Greys and I am Captain. We will be in Richmond I suppose in about 20 days. This may amount to a great deal with me. I desire to be in as many heavy engagements as possible". His company became Company G, Fourth Texas Infantry Regiment, Gen. Hood's Texas Brigade. The first winter was spent in camps Bragg (nicknamed Texas) & Dumfries near Richmond where many of his soldiers died from exposure and disease. March 8, 1862 the unit left camp for Yorktown to block Union Maj. General McClellan's advance on Richmond. It fought in several battles around Yorktown, Williamsburg, Etham's Landing and on May 31st at Seven Pines. On June 12 Hood's Brigade was ordered to join Stonewall Jackson's Army and lead it towards Cold Harbor. Pvt. Joseph C. Hutcheson, William's 20 year old brother, was serving in Co. C, 21st VA Reg. Brig. Gen. John Robert Jones' 2nd Brigade, temporarily under Lt. Col. Richard H. Cunningham's command. The night of June 26th at Jackson's encampment at Hundley's Corner the two brothers met for the last time. Joe said that his brother had "emphasized that come what might, a man must stand up. It was indeed time for a man 'to make up his books'." The next day, according to a 7/27/1862 letter written by Pvt. Zachariah Landrum of Co. H, Capt. Hutcheson was cut down with "grape shot to the arm and breast". On that fateful late afternoon day General Hood dismounted and walked to the front of the 4th where he admonished the men to advance quickly, keep formation and place their rifles at right shoulder shift until they struck the enemy. The sunlight was fading into the west behind the Texans. At Hood's command William and his company dove into the eye of the artillery and small arms storm. The charge started as they crossed a large field while stepping over the bodies of the dead and wounded who had made the attempt earlier. They fixed bayonets and plunged down a ravine into Boatswain's Creek and up the other side eyes searching for the soldiers who were defending the two Union breastworks and cannons of Turkey Hill. William went down charging the first battery. His lieutenant, David L. Butts, stepped into the lead only to fall lifeless in a hail of metal. However, the Texans' final assault broke the back of General Porter's defenses at what became known as the Battle of Gaines' Mill. The following day, General Stonewall Jackson upon observing the route of the charge was heard to say: "The men who carried this position were soldiers indeed". William, alive but torn, was taken to the Richmond home of Corbin Warwick, his commanding officer's father's home. Along with him were transported Lt. Col. Bradfute Warwick and three other wounded officers: Capt. E. D. Ryan-Co. E, Capt. Procter P. Porter-Co.H and Lt. Thomas M. Owens-Co. H. All of the officers eventually died from their wounds. At that time, because the Confederate Gov. had little formal organization for the disposition of the dead, Col. Hutcheson and a servant brought a wagon to take William's body back to his childhood home where awaited Laura and his baby. The Col. was determined that his son's corpse should not befall the same fate as that of his nephew Richard N. Stone who's remains were buried in April in a mass grave following his demise at the Battle of Shiloh. The obituary for William in the Richmond Christian Advocate of August 21, 1862, reads: "Cool and self possessed, he requested a friend to write to his father and say that he fell discharging his duty and defending his country from a ruthless foe. He leaves a wife and one child, with a number of dear friends, to mourn his death." (Bio by Jim Hutcheson)
Texas officially seceded in early March and by Wednesday 7/31/1861 William had recruited, funded and mustered 100 men to fight for the Confederacy. In August, under his command, the Grimes County Greys traveled overland to Camp Van Dorn near Harrisburg, TX for training & then on to VA as follows: rail to Houston & Beaumont, steamer to Niblett's (Neblett's) bluff, foot to New Iberia, steamer to Brashear, rail to New Orleans, & rail to Mississippi for Virginia. He wrote to his kinsman Dr. Neblett in Virginia on 8/6/1861 from Camp Van Dorn: "You may pledge my company to take any position or perform any service which is active and promises renown. From your knowledge of the surroundings there, do something for me that will enable me to do something for myself which I know you can from your influences about Richmond. Mine is a good company, brave and of good moral tone. Our style is the Grimes Co. Greys and I am Captain. We will be in Richmond I suppose in about 20 days. This may amount to a great deal with me. I desire to be in as many heavy engagements as possible". His company became Company G, Fourth Texas Infantry Regiment, Gen. Hood's Texas Brigade. The first winter was spent in camps Bragg (nicknamed Texas) & Dumfries near Richmond where many of his soldiers died from exposure and disease. March 8, 1862 the unit left camp for Yorktown to block Union Maj. General McClellan's advance on Richmond. It fought in several battles around Yorktown, Williamsburg, Etham's Landing and on May 31st at Seven Pines. On June 12 Hood's Brigade was ordered to join Stonewall Jackson's Army and lead it towards Cold Harbor. Pvt. Joseph C. Hutcheson, William's 20 year old brother, was serving in Co. C, 21st VA Reg. Brig. Gen. John Robert Jones' 2nd Brigade, temporarily under Lt. Col. Richard H. Cunningham's command. The night of June 26th at Jackson's encampment at Hundley's Corner the two brothers met for the last time. Joe said that his brother had "emphasized that come what might, a man must stand up. It was indeed time for a man 'to make up his books'." The next day, according to a 7/27/1862 letter written by Pvt. Zachariah Landrum of Co. H, Capt. Hutcheson was cut down with "grape shot to the arm and breast". On that fateful late afternoon day General Hood dismounted and walked to the front of the 4th where he admonished the men to advance quickly, keep formation and place their rifles at right shoulder shift until they struck the enemy. The sunlight was fading into the west behind the Texans. At Hood's command William and his company dove into the eye of the artillery and small arms storm. The charge started as they crossed a large field while stepping over the bodies of the dead and wounded who had made the attempt earlier. They fixed bayonets and plunged down a ravine into Boatswain's Creek and up the other side eyes searching for the soldiers who were defending the two Union breastworks and cannons of Turkey Hill. William went down charging the first battery. His lieutenant, David L. Butts, stepped into the lead only to fall lifeless in a hail of metal. However, the Texans' final assault broke the back of General Porter's defenses at what became known as the Battle of Gaines' Mill. The following day, General Stonewall Jackson upon observing the route of the charge was heard to say: "The men who carried this position were soldiers indeed". William, alive but torn, was taken to the Richmond home of Corbin Warwick, his commanding officer's father's home. Along with him were transported Lt. Col. Bradfute Warwick and three other wounded officers: Capt. E. D. Ryan-Co. E, Capt. Procter P. Porter-Co.H and Lt. Thomas M. Owens-Co. H. All of the officers eventually died from their wounds. At that time, because the Confederate Gov. had little formal organization for the disposition of the dead, Col. Hutcheson and a servant brought a wagon to take William's body back to his childhood home where awaited Laura and his baby. The Col. was determined that his son's corpse should not befall the same fate as that of his nephew Richard N. Stone who's remains were buried in April in a mass grave following his demise at the Battle of Shiloh. The obituary for William in the Richmond Christian Advocate of August 21, 1862, reads: "Cool and self possessed, he requested a friend to write to his father and say that he fell discharging his duty and defending his country from a ruthless foe. He leaves a wife and one child, with a number of dear friends, to mourn his death." (Bio by Jim Hutcheson)
J. William Hutcheson, a lawyer, member of the Texas Secession Convention, and Confederate officer, was the oldest son of Charles Sterling and Mary M. Hutcheson Hutcheson. William attended Randolph-Macon College in Boydton, Virginia, from 1846 to 1850 and afterwards the University of Virginia Law School, from which he graduated in 1852. He was then admitted to the Virginia Bar. In the fall of 1853 he emigrated from VA to Texas and set up a law office in Anderson, Grimes County. William first practiced alone but later joined at separate times with Sam Houston & his brother-in-law Isham G. Searcy. As part of his practice, he looked after the interests of Virginia real estate investors to include his great uncle Dr. Sterling Neblett of "Brickland", Lunenburg County, VA. His fame as a trial lawyer was secured when he & Sam Houston successfully defended Mr. John Baker who was accused of killing Mr. Benjamin Stuckley in a well publicized April 1857 murder trial.On September 11, 1855 after a years courtship he married Laura Baker a daughter of Isaac Baker the patrician of "The Cedars", Plantersville, TX. He purchased lots 1,2 & 3 in Block 9 East in Anderson on 3/15/56 where he & his family settled. They had one daughter, Laura, born in 1857. William was admitted to the State Bar of Texas on February 10, 1858. He was a Mason & by the 1860 census was shown to have accumulated land and personal assets worth $28,500.00 to include 10 slaves ages 3 months to 37 years old. In politics he ran against Anthony M. Branch for the State Senate for the future 9th State Legislature. As war threatened he withdrew his candidacy and was voted instead a member of the Texas State Convention which was to consider secession. He along with fellow attorney & Randolph-Macon graduate Reuben J. Palmer from Montgomery County voted to pass the Secession Ordinance on 2/1/1861. Reuben was the brother of Texas State Senator and 7th District Court Judge, Edward A. Palmer.
Texas officially seceded in early March and by Wednesday 7/31/1861 William had recruited, funded and mustered 100 men to fight for the Confederacy. In August, under his command, the Grimes County Greys traveled overland to Camp Van Dorn near Harrisburg, TX for training & then on to VA as follows: rail to Houston & Beaumont, steamer to Niblett's (Neblett's) bluff, foot to New Iberia, steamer to Brashear, rail to New Orleans, & rail to Mississippi for Virginia. He wrote to his kinsman Dr. Neblett in Virginia on 8/6/1861 from Camp Van Dorn: "You may pledge my company to take any position or perform any service which is active and promises renown. From your knowledge of the surroundings there, do something for me that will enable me to do something for myself which I know you can from your influences about Richmond. Mine is a good company, brave and of good moral tone. Our style is the Grimes Co. Greys and I am Captain. We will be in Richmond I suppose in about 20 days. This may amount to a great deal with me. I desire to be in as many heavy engagements as possible". His company became Company G, Fourth Texas Infantry Regiment, Gen. Hood's Texas Brigade. The first winter was spent in camps Bragg (nicknamed Texas) & Dumfries near Richmond where many of his soldiers died from exposure and disease. March 8, 1862 the unit left camp for Yorktown to block Union Maj. General McClellan's advance on Richmond. It fought in several battles around Yorktown, Williamsburg, Etham's Landing and on May 31st at Seven Pines. On June 12 Hood's Brigade was ordered to join Stonewall Jackson's Army and lead it towards Cold Harbor. Pvt. Joseph C. Hutcheson, William's 20 year old brother, was serving in Co. C, 21st VA Reg. Brig. Gen. John Robert Jones' 2nd Brigade, temporarily under Lt. Col. Richard H. Cunningham's command. The night of June 26th at Jackson's encampment at Hundley's Corner the two brothers met for the last time. Joe said that his brother had "emphasized that come what might, a man must stand up. It was indeed time for a man 'to make up his books'." The next day, according to a 7/27/1862 letter written by Pvt. Zachariah Landrum of Co. H, Capt. Hutcheson was cut down with "grape shot to the arm and breast". On that fateful late afternoon day General Hood dismounted and walked to the front of the 4th where he admonished the men to advance quickly, keep formation and place their rifles at right shoulder shift until they struck the enemy. The sunlight was fading into the west behind the Texans. At Hood's command William and his company dove into the eye of the artillery and small arms storm. The charge started as they crossed a large field while stepping over the bodies of the dead and wounded who had made the attempt earlier. They fixed bayonets and plunged down a ravine into Boatswain's Creek and up the other side eyes searching for the soldiers who were defending the two Union breastworks and cannons of Turkey Hill. William went down charging the first battery. His lieutenant, David L. Butts, stepped into the lead only to fall lifeless in a hail of metal. However, the Texans' final assault broke the back of General Porter's defenses at what became known as the Battle of Gaines' Mill. The following day, General Stonewall Jackson upon observing the route of the charge was heard to say: "The men who carried this position were soldiers indeed". William, alive but torn, was taken to the Richmond home of Corbin Warwick, his commanding officer's father's home. Along with him were transported Lt. Col. Bradfute Warwick and three other wounded officers: Capt. E. D. Ryan-Co. E, Capt. Procter P. Porter-Co.H and Lt. Thomas M. Owens-Co. H. All of the officers eventually died from their wounds. At that time, because the Confederate Gov. had little formal organization for the disposition of the dead, Col. Hutcheson and a servant brought a wagon to take William's body back to his childhood home where awaited Laura and his baby. The Col. was determined that his son's corpse should not befall the same fate as that of his nephew Richard N. Stone who's remains were buried in April in a mass grave following his demise at the Battle of Shiloh. The obituary for William in the Richmond Christian Advocate of August 21, 1862, reads: "Cool and self possessed, he requested a friend to write to his father and say that he fell discharging his duty and defending his country from a ruthless foe. He leaves a wife and one child, with a number of dear friends, to mourn his death." (Bio by Jim Hutcheson)
Texas officially seceded in early March and by Wednesday 7/31/1861 William had recruited, funded and mustered 100 men to fight for the Confederacy. In August, under his command, the Grimes County Greys traveled overland to Camp Van Dorn near Harrisburg, TX for training & then on to VA as follows: rail to Houston & Beaumont, steamer to Niblett's (Neblett's) bluff, foot to New Iberia, steamer to Brashear, rail to New Orleans, & rail to Mississippi for Virginia. He wrote to his kinsman Dr. Neblett in Virginia on 8/6/1861 from Camp Van Dorn: "You may pledge my company to take any position or perform any service which is active and promises renown. From your knowledge of the surroundings there, do something for me that will enable me to do something for myself which I know you can from your influences about Richmond. Mine is a good company, brave and of good moral tone. Our style is the Grimes Co. Greys and I am Captain. We will be in Richmond I suppose in about 20 days. This may amount to a great deal with me. I desire to be in as many heavy engagements as possible". His company became Company G, Fourth Texas Infantry Regiment, Gen. Hood's Texas Brigade. The first winter was spent in camps Bragg (nicknamed Texas) & Dumfries near Richmond where many of his soldiers died from exposure and disease. March 8, 1862 the unit left camp for Yorktown to block Union Maj. General McClellan's advance on Richmond. It fought in several battles around Yorktown, Williamsburg, Etham's Landing and on May 31st at Seven Pines. On June 12 Hood's Brigade was ordered to join Stonewall Jackson's Army and lead it towards Cold Harbor. Pvt. Joseph C. Hutcheson, William's 20 year old brother, was serving in Co. C, 21st VA Reg. Brig. Gen. John Robert Jones' 2nd Brigade, temporarily under Lt. Col. Richard H. Cunningham's command. The night of June 26th at Jackson's encampment at Hundley's Corner the two brothers met for the last time. Joe said that his brother had "emphasized that come what might, a man must stand up. It was indeed time for a man 'to make up his books'." The next day, according to a 7/27/1862 letter written by Pvt. Zachariah Landrum of Co. H, Capt. Hutcheson was cut down with "grape shot to the arm and breast". On that fateful late afternoon day General Hood dismounted and walked to the front of the 4th where he admonished the men to advance quickly, keep formation and place their rifles at right shoulder shift until they struck the enemy. The sunlight was fading into the west behind the Texans. At Hood's command William and his company dove into the eye of the artillery and small arms storm. The charge started as they crossed a large field while stepping over the bodies of the dead and wounded who had made the attempt earlier. They fixed bayonets and plunged down a ravine into Boatswain's Creek and up the other side eyes searching for the soldiers who were defending the two Union breastworks and cannons of Turkey Hill. William went down charging the first battery. His lieutenant, David L. Butts, stepped into the lead only to fall lifeless in a hail of metal. However, the Texans' final assault broke the back of General Porter's defenses at what became known as the Battle of Gaines' Mill. The following day, General Stonewall Jackson upon observing the route of the charge was heard to say: "The men who carried this position were soldiers indeed". William, alive but torn, was taken to the Richmond home of Corbin Warwick, his commanding officer's father's home. Along with him were transported Lt. Col. Bradfute Warwick and three other wounded officers: Capt. E. D. Ryan-Co. E, Capt. Procter P. Porter-Co.H and Lt. Thomas M. Owens-Co. H. All of the officers eventually died from their wounds. At that time, because the Confederate Gov. had little formal organization for the disposition of the dead, Col. Hutcheson and a servant brought a wagon to take William's body back to his childhood home where awaited Laura and his baby. The Col. was determined that his son's corpse should not befall the same fate as that of his nephew Richard N. Stone who's remains were buried in April in a mass grave following his demise at the Battle of Shiloh. The obituary for William in the Richmond Christian Advocate of August 21, 1862, reads: "Cool and self possessed, he requested a friend to write to his father and say that he fell discharging his duty and defending his country from a ruthless foe. He leaves a wife and one child, with a number of dear friends, to mourn his death." (Bio by Jim Hutcheson)
Gravesite Details
See "John William Hutcheson pioneering Texan 1829-1862", author: Joanne Hutcheson Seale Wilson, publisher: 2005 by MCG&HS, Inc.
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