William Calvin Bethune was a medical doctor at Abbeville in Henry County. He first enlisted in the 7th Alabama serving as a 1st Lt. in Co. F, commanded by Capt. Wm. T. McCall. In 1862, he re-enlisted in Co. D, 53rd Alabama, again serving under Capt. McCall. He was discharged Oct. 14, 1863, subsequently being promoted to captain of Co. D, 54th Alabama (later 57th Alabama). On Feb. 25, 1864, he was promoted to Lt. Colonel of the 57th. He died after the war in Abbeville in his late 40s. His obituary describes an incident of loyalty that took place at the Battle of Peachtree Creek, just prior to the Battle of Atlanta. It reads, "By his manliness and faithfulness as a soldier and the superb qualities of his head and heart, he soon won the confidence and respect of his supperior officers, and the love and admiration of his men. For his manly and soldierly conduct, he was complimented in a General Order from General Clanton, which was read at dress parade, and it afforded great satisfaction to his many friends to know that he was so highly esteemed by the gallant and brave Clanton. At the Battle of Peachtree Creek, he fell severely wounded, and from that wound he never fully recovered. Dr. Bethune was so deeply and strogly endowed with the gallant and brave nature, that the men of his old company, who served under him when he was their captain, loved and admired him with an enthusiasm akin to fanaticism. They were willing to endanger their lives for him on all occasions. When he was shot down at Peachtree Creek, his regiment had been ordered to retreat, and his old company was not aware of his mishap until they had retreated some distance. When learning of it, they, in the face of the commands and protests of superior officers, rushed, with their brave captain at their head, back through the thickly flying shot and shell to almosy within reach of the bayonets of the foe and recovered their beloved Bethune. A hero invokes heroism. This act on the part of those brave soldiers attest to an eminent degree the possession by Dr. Bethune of qualities of the highest order, for no ordinary man can exact the love and admirtaion of others to such a degree without having in huimself a great and heoric soul."