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Biography

"A native of Seneca Falls, New York, William H. Sackett was the only son of William Augustus and Zayde Thorne Sackett. The elder Sackett served in the U.S. Congress as a Representative from New York for two terms. When the Civil War broke out, the younger Sackett was practicing law in Albany, having been admitted to the bar a short time previous. He enlisted in the 9th New York Volunteer Cavalry in November 1861 and was commissioned a major. He participated in battles including Bull Run and Antietam, rising to the rank of colonel and later a brevet brigadier general. The marriage of William Sackett on November 27, 1862 is recorded in Epiphany’s register. This is during the time the church was in use as a military hospital and the wedding is recorded as having taken place in a private home.

The Civil War Battle of Trevilian Station in Louisa County, Virginia, just north of Richmond, was fought June 11-12, 1864. The battle was a tactical victory for the Confederates. It was the bloodiest and largest all-calvary battle of the war. On June 11, while leading his cavalry unit in a charge under General Sheridan, 25-year old Colonel William Sackett was mortally wounded and died inside of the enemy’s lines three days later. The report that he had been severely injured and was in the hands of the enemy soon reached his wife, who immediately determined to make an effort to reach and care for him, not knowing that he was already dead. A series of letters between Gen. Grant and Gen. Lee followed attempting to gain Mrs. Sackett permission to look for her husband before it was revealed he had died."

Letter References

Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
"A native of Seneca Falls, New York, William H. Sackett was the only son of William Augustus and Zayde Thorne Sackett. The elder Sackett served in the U.S. Congress as a Representative from New York for two terms. When the Civil War broke out, the younger Sackett was practicing law in Albany, having been admitted to the bar a short time previous. He enlisted in the 9th New York Volunteer Cavalry in November 1861 and was commissioned a major. He participated in battles including Bull Run and Antietam, rising to the rank of colonel and later a brevet brigadier general. The marriage of William Sackett on November 27, 1862 is recorded in Epiphany’s register. This is during the time the church was in use as a military hospital and the wedding is recorded as having taken place in a private home. The Civil War Battle of Trevilian Station in Louisa County, Virginia, just north of Richmond, was fought June 11-12, 1864. The battle was a tactical victory for the Confederates. It was the bloodiest and largest all-calvary battle of the war. On June 11, while leading his cavalry unit in a charge under General Sheridan, 25-year old Colonel William Sackett was mortally wounded and died inside of the enemy’s lines three days later. The report that he had been severely injured and was in the hands of the enemy soon reached his wife, who immediately determined to make an effort to reach and care for him, not knowing that he was already dead. A series of letters between Gen. Grant and Gen. Lee followed attempting to gain Mrs. Sackett permission to look for her husband before it was revealed he had died."
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://epiphanydc.org/2017/06/12/june-15-william-h-sackett-1864/
Title of Webpage: 
The Church of the Epiphany
Website Viewing Date: 
Thursday, April 26, 2018 - 10:45
Website's Last Modified Date: 
Thursday, April 26, 2018 - 10:45
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Book or Book Chapter
Book or Monograph Title: 
The Sacketts of America, Their Ancestors and Descendants, 1630-1907
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
Charles H. Weygant
Publisher Location: 
Newburg, NY
Publisher Name: 
Charles H. Weygant
Year: 
1907
Start Page: 
339
End Page: 
341
Citation Notes: 
https://archive.org/stream/sackettsofameric02weyg#page/n341/mode/2up/search/william+a+sackett
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://sackett-tree.org/getperson.php?personID=I2822&tree=1
Title of Webpage: 
Thurmon King's New Sackett Family Database
Website Viewing Date: 
Thursday, April 26, 2018 - 10:45
Website Last Modified Date: 
Thursday, April 26, 2018 - 10:45