LEATH-William E. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

William E. LEATH, farmer, Newtown, born in Warren County, Indiana, June 5, 1844 was the son of Silas and Mary Ann Barbry Leath, who emigrated from VA in an early day. His father was a carpenter by trade and helped erect the old buildings now standing in Attica. He died in that place about the time of William's birth and the mother a year later. At the age of 4 our subject was bound out as an orphan. In Feb 1862 he enlisted in Co C 2nd Batt. US Inf. He fought at Cedar Mountain Aug 1862 and begin captured at that place was confined in Libby Prison & Belle Isle six weeks and then paroled. He returned to the army just in time to be reviewed by Gen McClellan before he was finally relieved of the command of the army of the Potomac. He fought afterward at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Laurel Hill, Cold Harbor, Tolopatomy Creek, North Anna, Bethesda Church, Petersburg and the Weldon RR, at which latter place he was taken prisoner. He was held six weeks at Belle Isle, revisiting his old quarters as a prisoner of war. He was then removed to Salisbury and on March 7, 1865 was paroled at Greensboro NC and delivered at Wilmington; then was taken to Annapolis and from there to Ft. Hamilton NY where he received his discharge from a faithful and honorable service of 3 years 3 months. Returning home he went to farming. March 18, 1871 he was married to Sallie A. NEAL daughter of Nathan Neal. Their six children were born in the following order: Mary Winnie, April 28, 1872; Joseph Silas May 2, 1873; Augusta May May 1, 1876; Anna Frances, Dec 12, 1877; William Thomas, Nov 17, 1878 and James E. June 17, 1880. Mr. Leath has lived in Fountain Co since 1868. He and his wife belong to the New Light Denomination of Christian and is a republican.