William Thomas Ward

William Thomas Ward
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 4th district
In office
March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853
Preceded by George Caldwell
Succeeded by James Chrisman
Personal details
Born August 9, 1808(1808-08-09)
Amelia County, Virginia
Died October 12, 1878(1878-10-12) (aged 70)
Louisville, Kentucky
Resting place Cave Hill Cemetery
Political party Whig
Alma mater St. Mary's College
Profession Lawyer
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Rank Brigadier General
Unit XX Corps
Battles/wars Mexican-American War
American Civil War

William Thomas Ward (August 9, 1808 – October 12, 1878) was a brigadier general in the United States Army during the American Civil War, a United States Congressman from the U.S state Kentucky, and member of the Kentucky Legislature.

Biography

William T. Ward was born in Amelia County, Virginia. He attended common schools and then St. Mary's College near Lebanon, Kentucky. Ward studied law and was admitted to the bar, beginning practice in Greensburg, Kentucky.

Ward served in the Mexican-American War as major of the 4th Kentucky Volunteers from 1847 to 1848. In 1850, Ward served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives. He was elected to represent the Kentucky 4th Congressional District to U.S. Congress as a member of the Whig Party, serving in the House of Representatives 32nd Congress (March 4, 1851 to March 3, 1853). He did not stand for renomination in 1852.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Ward was commissioned as a brigadier general in the Union Army, serving throughout the war. Ward led a brigade in XX Corps during the early stages of the Atlanta Campaign. After MG Daniel Butterfield went on leave, Ward commanded third division XX Corps for the remainder of the campaign. He also led it in Sherman's March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign.

After the war was over, he returned to the private practice of law in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ward died in 1878 and was buried in the Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.

See also

United States Army portal
American Civil War portal

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the U.S. Government.