Winnie Davis Camp No. 108 UCV Records from Membership Register   W. M. Gardner W. M. Gardner was born in Tennessee July 30, 1844 and died in Waxahachie, Tex. December 30, 1914. He was a member of Capt. James River's company, 11th Tennessee Cavalry, and served under Forrest and Wheeler. [Submitted by Ruth Walsh from Vol. VXXXIII July 1915, The Confederate Veteran Magazine] In Memoriam [W. D. Camp UCV] Commander and Comrades: Your committee appointed to offer suitable resolutions upon the death of Comrade W. M. Gardner submit the following statement and resolutions: He was born in Tennessee July 30, 1844 and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. W. Edwards in the city of Waxahachie, Texas  Dec. 30, 1914.  He was a Confederate soldier and served under Forrest and Wheeler.  He enlisted in Capt. James Rivers' Co. the 11th Tennessee cavalry regiment and served till the close of the war. In 1866 he joined the Methodist church and was a consistent member of same till his death.  In 1868 he married Miss Frances Edwards in Tennessee.  He is survived by his widow and 7 children, three boys and four daughters all of whom were with him, except one, when he died. He leaves behind him as a heritage to his children a good name - more to be appreciated than sordid gold or ill gotten gains.  He was a quiet and peacable man, a devoted husband and father - His neighbors delight to testify that he was a good neighbor.  These are enough for mortal ambition.  Comrade, may your star shine brighter in the sky and be a beacon light to your loved ones who follow after you. Resolved: That we sympathize with his distressed family in this their hour of great sorrow. Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon our minutes and a copy be furnished his family. T. B. Jackson, D. D. Kiest, B. F. Marchbanks [Note: The resolution as printed in the newspaper was almost identical to the above except that Wm. Stiles name was used in place of D. D. Kiest.  Also there were the following additions: Approved: K. B. Wilson, Comm; B. F. Marchbanks, Adj.] W. M. Gardner Pension Application #21771 W. M. Gardner was born in Giles Co., Tenn. He was 68 years old when he filed and had resided in Ellis Co., Texas since Oct. 1877, at Forreston Texas. Occupation - Carpenter. Enlisted, Aug ‘53; discharged Apr ‘65. He was discharged at Gainsville, Ala, April 19th, 1865. "War was over and we surrendered." Served in Co. K, 11th Tenn Cavalry. Signed Jan 27, 1913. Witnesses: J. W. Harrison and R. J. Reasonover. Certificate of State & County Assessor states he owned property with assessed value of seven hundred dollars. Records of War Department, Adjutant General's Office, February 13, 1913. The records show that W. M. Gardner, private, Company K, 11th Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate States Army, enlisted October 18, 1862. On the roll for the period from December 31, 1863, to June 30, 1864, last on file, he was reported present. No later record of him has been found. Deposition of T. B. Phelps - Interrogatories: My name is T. B. Phelps, 75 years old, I reside in Jones County, and my post office address is Stamford, Texas. I personally know W. M. Gardner. I met him during the war. We served in Co. K, 11th Tenn. Calvary. Yes, he made a good soldier. He was in Company K, 11th Tenn. Calvary, enlisted about year of 1862, and served to the end of the war. He was not commissioned by President, and was a subject to the conscript law but served as a volunteer. Cross Interrogatories: I served in the army with the said W. M. Gardner in Co. K, 11th Tenn. Calvary. I did not know of no other man by same name, (nor) In same company or in the service. Of the Confederacy. None at all. Yes, I am sure he is the same identical person. He was a good soldier and served honorably. No, he did not desert. Signed T. B. Phelps Deposition of Sam Harwell - Interrogatories: My name is Sam Harwell, age 83, resides at Forreston, Texas. Yes, I know W. M. Gardner. Have known him 60 years at Pulaski, Tenn, from 1853. Yes, I know he enlisted in the Confederate Army and performed duties of a soldier. Enlisted in Army of Tenn., Co. K, 11th Tenn - Regiment Forrest's Calvary. Enlisted in 1862 at Pulaski, Tenn, served until surrender 1865. He was only a private. Don't know if he was under the conscript law or volunteer. Cross Interrogatories: I enlisted at same time and we went out together. I did not know any other W. M. Gardner, either soldier or sailor. Yes, I am certain he is the same person. Yes, I know he served and was discharged at close of war. I know he never deserted or abandoned his post of duty. Signed, Sam Harwell. Forreston, Texas, June, 4th, 1913. Commissioner of Pensions, Austin, Texas. Dear Sir: About Feb 1st I sent you claim for pension with necessary proof but have not heard from you. Please advise if you recd it and if so when may I look for some action. If any further necessary on my part please advise. Yours truly, W. M. Gardner No further correspondence, but jacket shows the pension was approved Sept 1, 1913; pension allowed from Dec 1, 1913. MRS. MARY F. GARDNER Widow's Application for Pension #30263 Mrs. Mary F. Gardner, widow of W. M. Gardner, who departed this life on the 30th day of December 1914 in Ellis County, Texas. I was married to him on the 10th day of December 1868 in Giles County, Tennessee. I am 65 years of age and was born in Giles County, Tennessee. Have resided in Waxahachie, Texas for thirty-seven years. My husband's full name was William M. Gardner. He served about four years under Captain James Rivers, 11th Tennessee Cavalry, with General Bedford Forrest. Signed Jan 9, 1915. Witnesses: T. B. Jackson & W. F. Jones. Certificate of Tax Assessor - She had no real or personal property on the tax rolls. Application for Mortuary Warrant - filed by Mrs. W. W. Edwards, daughter, who lived at 700 E. Marvin St., Waxahachie., Texas. Mrs.Gardner died July 17, 1931 in Waxahachie, Ellis County, Texas. Undertaker - A. T. Boze, Waxahachie. Attending Physician - Dr. (?) H. Watson was of the opinion she died of "heart failure - due to senile myocarditis."   Copyright © 2003-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:18:50 MDT