I have just completed a history of the 11th Missouri Infantry (Union) and William Cleland was a very important component in the regiment. The regimental descriptive book showed he was 21 years old when he enlisted. He began his career asa sergeant in the 1st Missouri Rifle Battalion, a three-month regiment. He was mustered into the 11th Missouri in August 1861 as a sergeant and gradually was promoted to lieutenant, captain, and finally major. He was wounded several times. His horse was shot from under him in the Battle of Iuka, he was shot in the thigh at the Battle of Corinth, and he was wounded in the Battle at Tupelo apparently by an artillery shell. He wounds were so bad, his command was taken from him. He rallied and served as an aide to the brigade commander in the Battle of Nashville and received recognition for his efforts during the battle. He served with the regiment through the Mobile campaign and was made Acting Assistant Adjuvant General in the occupation of Alabama. Next he was accused of falsely arresting some civilians and was sought by Union military authorities. He was AWOL for a few months before the end of the term of service for the regiment, but he did muster out with the rest of the regiment. I can find no evidence he was ever court martialed. He died soon after the end of the war. I find him one of the most interesting people of the regiment. I also have a photo of him.

Dennis