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
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
In office 1850
Personal details
Born	August 9, 1808 Amelia County, Virginia
Died	October 12, 1878 (aged 70) Louisville, Kentucky
Resting place	Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky
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
Years of service	1847 - 1848, 1861 - 1865
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 – 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 including conspicuous service at the battle of Peachtree Creek. 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

• List of American Civil War generals

References

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

• William Thomas Ward at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Retrieved on 2007-05-23
• "William Thomas Ward". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-10-19.