Re: Wm. A. ELLIS, Ala. 41st, Co. I
The soldier's service record shows that he survived a severe wound to an arm at Murfreesboro TN, Jan. 2, 1863. The last record on file is a clothing receipt dated Oct. 31, 1864. This shows him to have been alive at this time. Gracie's Brigade was exposed to daily artillery and sharpshooter fire, so he could have been killed or mortally wounded in the trenches at any time up until the brigade was ordered to the Confederate right at Petersburg. Several battles took place afterwards from March 25th until the brigade withdrew to join remnants of the Army of Northern Virginia moving west towards Appomattox Courthouse. The brigade also took part in the closing action at Appomattox on the morning of April 9th, 1865.