Existing comment:
A Life for the Confederacy:
William Hightower was the son of a wealthy family from Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Just 20, he served as a private in the 23d Virginia Infantry. In the intense fighting at Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, he fell grievously wounded in the leg. Doctors cut off his pants-leg and then amputated his shattered limb at the thing -- a bold and dangerous attempt to save his life. The effort failed.
Hightower died from his wounds about two weeks after the battle. His experience and fate were typical of thousands of others. |