William Lawrence Sanderson (1812 - 1868)

Born 1812 in Pennsylvania, United States

Died 19 Jul 1868 at about age 56 in New Albany, Floyd, Indiana, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Norman Jones [send private message]

Biography

William L. Sanderson was an American soldier. Sanderson was a Colonel in the Union Army during the Civil War. Colonel Sanderson commanded the 23rd Regiment, Indiana Infantry.

William was born in 1812. ^[1]

Military Service

• Mexican-American War
  

  Captain William Sanderson served with the United States Army during the Mexican-American War
  Service Started: Jun 20, 1846
  Unit(s): 2nd Regiment of Indiana Volunteers
  Service Ended: Jun 23, 1847

William L Sanderson enlisted into Company A ("Spencer Grays"), 2nd Regiment, Indiana Infantry on June 20, 1861. ^[2] During the War, Captain Sanderson was wounded. ^[3] Captain Sanderson mustered out of service on June 23, 1847. ^[2]

• Civil War
  

  Colonel William Sanderson served in the United States Civil War.
  Enlisted: Jul 29, 1861
  Mustered out: Aug 11, 1864
  Side: USA
  Regiment(s): F & S, 23rd Regiment, Indiana Infantry

William L. Sanderson, age 23, enrolled July 15, 1861, at New Albany, Indiana, as Colonel in command of the 23rd Regiment, Indiana Infantry. ^[4]

The officers of the 23rd were mostly not politically motivated appointments. William Sanderson was selected to command the regiment was commissioned by Governor Morton at the solicitation of the people of Floyd County because of Sanderson's meritorious service as Captain of the Spencer Grays. ^[5]

In July 1861, Colonel Sanderson's 23rd Regiment was organized in New Albany, Indiana. At the Battle of Fort Henry, his regiment was on gunboats. Several of his men (in Company B) were killed by an boiler explosion on the Essex. He saw combat on the 2nd day at the Battle of Shiloh. During the siege of Corinth, his regiment was at Pea Ridge. In September 1862, Colonel Sanderson led his regiment at the recapture of Iuka. In late February 1863, Colonel Sanderson led his regiment in the Vicksburg Campaign. He saw combat at the Battle of Port Gibson and the Battle of Raymond. He saw combat at the Battle of Champion Hill and participated in the capture of Jackson. His regiment was on the front line at Vicksburg. ^[6] Colonel Sanderson resigned on August 11, 1864. ^[4]

Death

William L Sanderson passed away in 1868. He was buried at Fairview Cemetery, New Albany, Indiana. ^[1]

Memorials

23rd Indiana Infantry, Shiloh National Military Park. The monument is inscribed: (front of monument) "23d REGIMENT INFANTRY, Commanded by Col. WILLIAM L. SANDERSON, 2d BRIGADE--Col. JOHN M. THAYER-- 3d DIVISION--Maj. Gen. LEWIS WALLACE-- ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE. INDIANA. (back of monument) 23d INFANTRY, [cont'd] Commanded by Col. WILLIAM L. SANDERSON." ^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26753228/william-lawrence-sanderson: accessed 26 November 2023), memorial page for Col William Lawrence Sanderson (1812–19 Jul 1868), Find a Grave Memorial ID 26753228, citing Fairview Cemetery, New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana, USA; Maintained by Eric Lowman (contributor 46508697).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Military, Civil War, Adjutant General, Record for William L Sanderson,
3. ↑ Fold3, US, Letters Received by the Office of the Adjutant General Main Series 1822-1860, Page 42, Report of Casualties. https://www.fold3.com/image/292779563?terms=indiana,war,mexican,american,william,sanderson,williams
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Military, Civil War, Adjutant General, Record for William L Sanderson, Regiment 23. https://www.in.gov/iara/services-for-public/search-archives-holdings/indiana-archives-digital-index-records/
5. ↑ Historical Sketch of the 23rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Floyd Library. https://floydlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/23rdIndianaVolunteer.pdf
6. ↑ 23rd Indiana Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War, Civil War Index. https://civilwarindex.com/23rd-indiana-infantry.html
7. ↑ Shiloh National Monument Detail - U.S. National Park Service, Monument #M082: 23rd Indiana Infantry. https://www.nps.gov/shil/learn/historyculture/monument-detail.htm?id=M082