Winnie Davis Camp No. 108 UCV
Records from Membership Register
Wm. L. P. Leigh
Entered Conf Serv Feb 1862, Pvt Co H, Crump's 1st Texas Battn; raised to Regt May 1, 1862, Texas; present with Gen. E. Kirby Smith, Richmond, Ky., with Gen. Bragg at Murfreesboro, and Chickamauga; Gen Joe Jackson, Jackson, Miss. In front of Sherman's Army from Rome, Ga. to Atlanta, Ga. With Gen. John B. Hood from Atlanta. Battle Franklin & Nashville, Tenn.; on furlough when army surrendered; paroled Marshall, Tex. 1865.
Eldest child of John Wm Leigh & Martha White Peters Leigh, born Leighton, Lawrence (now Colbert) Co. Ala. June 21, 1836. Parents moved to Sumpter Co. Ala. 1837, removed from Ala. to Tex., settled at Myrtle Springs, Bowie Co. Nov. 12, 1847. Married Sarah R. Wever June 3, 1858. In 1867 we removed to Jefferson, Marion Co. Tex. where my wife died Oct. 19, 1872 leaving 5 ch: R. H., Julius E., John W., Minnie & Benj. S. April 24, 1874 I married (2nd wife) Miss Hanna M. Hirmeyer, Mobile, Ala. 1883 removed to Galveston, Tex. to Houston 1892, to Waxahachie, Ellis Co. Tex. July 1, 1896. By last marriage 4 dau. Kate D., Sophia A., Martha E. and Russell E. All married except Russell E. Russell married W. A. Macall, Dallas.
On original form: "Died Oct. 7, 1913."
Tribute of Respect
Waxahachie, Texas January 5, 1914
To Commander and Comrades:
Your committee appointed to pay some humble tribute to memory of our late comrade W. L. P. Leigh, who died at his home on Kaufman Street, Waxahachie, Oct. 7, 1913, submit the following:
Comrade Leigh was Adjutant for many consecutive years of Camp Winnie Davis No. 108 U.C.V. He discharged the duties of that office with patience, faithfulness, and an ability not often found in that position.
He was born in Alabama in 1836. Came with his parents to Texas in 1837. Was twice married, first to Miss Sarah Weaver in [1868?] and in 1874 to Miss Hannah Dirmager. In 1883 he moved to Galveston, then to Houston in 1892 and to Waxahachie 1896 where he lived till his death. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1862 and served until the close of war. He belonged to the 32nd Texas and was in the following important battles - Richmond, Ky., Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Jackson and went with General Hood to Franklin and Nashville. While we feel certain he was a loyal and brave soldier it is of his private life we wish to speak most.
He was a Baptist for many years and we feel that we can say truthfully he discharged his Christian duties with zeal and pleasure and was ever loyal to his church and his God. Comrade Leigh was a Mason and was for many years secretary of the Blue Lodge chapter. In every position, every relation and every station in life he tryed to do his duty as God gave him light to see it.
Comrade Leigh was seventy-seven years old, but with pluck and energy worthy of a young man, he sat at his desk day after day, seldom taking a much needed vacation. The trip hammer of duty - work, work, toil, toil - wore out his naturally weak body but his mental vigor served his physical strength. But there was no check up or vacation. He felt that he must work while it was day, for he knew the night would come when no man can work. He was as faithful and constant as the sands of the hour glass that drops drop by drop til the last grain is out. So he toiled till his hour glass was empty. He ceased to work when his last reserve force had succumbed to the inevitable.
He was not driven to his endless work by amy promptings of selfishness, but duty and love inspired him. When his good right hand went out to clasp the warm hand of one he love, a smile wreathed his pallid face, which gave to it a halo of love and friendship. Too much can hardly be said of the noble and lovable character of our lost comrade. His battles of live [sic] are over and his body rests from its labors and his spirit has gone to God who gave it.
Resolved:
First - that in the death of Comrade Leigh, Camp Winnie Davis U.C.V. has lost one of its most faithful and devoted members and society has lost one of its purest characters. The state a patriotic citizen and the "Lost Cause" one who cherished its memory and gloried in its heroic history.
Second - To the sorrowing wife and children, we offer the only consolation - his abiding faith and the hope that illuminated the years of his long and valuable life.
Third - That this tribute be entered upon a page of our records and a copy be furnished his family.
Committee: B. F. Marchbanks and T. B. Jackson.
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