The Louisiana in the Civil War Message Board - Archive

Re: W.L. Alex? Russell in 11th/17th Ark. Inf.....?

Virgil,

I think I started this thing a little off track. I did not perfectly recall what G grandfather W. B. Russell said about his "doctor" father (GG grandfather William Russell) in his journal. I just called my Russell cousin in Florida, had it read to me, and found that GGG grandpa "Captain Alexander" (what the family called him) Russell's real name was Washington Lafayette Russell. He had reportedly been a captain in the Republic of Texas volunteers in the fray with Mexico, and forever used the title. He was called Alexander at his own behest. I guess he did not like to be called Washington or Lafayette. Who knows? That is apparently him that ya'll found. He would have been around 50 years of age at the time, and probably the father of the surgeon. It certainly fits Will Russell's journal. G grandpa Will Russell, who died in 1936, wrote that GG grandpa William Russell and GGG grandpa Alexander (W. L.) and son served together in the war, but he does not say how. We always thought Will Russell, a school teacher, writer, and poet, exaggerated his father's role as a doctor in the war, but knew he was a doctor after the war. But come to think of it, the Columbia newspaper of 1883 says Russell's body, removed from the grave by graverobbers was stripped of his uniform epulets, his pistol, sword, pistol belt, and sash. The newspaper says simply, "Dr. William Russell, a distinguised veteran of the late war" An enlisted man would not have had all those accoutrements, would he? I guess I owe G Grandpa Will Russell, whom I never knew, an apology. Thanks for your help in this, and many thanks to the webmaster. I would never have thought to look into an Arkansas unit. God bless you both for your guidance and assistance. Maybe we will see you in Georgia and buy you lunch.

Bob

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W.L. Alex? Russell in 11th/17th Ark. Inf.....???
Re: W.L. Alex? Russell in 11th/17th Ark. Inf.....?
Re: W.L. Alex? Russell in 11th/17th Ark. Inf.....?
Re: W.L. Alex? Russell in 11th/17th Ark. Inf.....?
Bryan Howerton re W.L. "Alex" Russell.....!!!
Hi Virgil! I'm gitting there.....
Re: W.L. Alex? Russell in 11th/17th Ark. Inf.....?