About the Author
William Herbert Withington was born on February 1, 1835 in Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. At the age of 26, he enlisted as a Captain in the 1st Michigan Infantry Company B on April 29, 1861 at Jackson, Michigan. Withington was mustered into service on May 1. On July 21, he was listed as wounded at the Battle of Bull Run in Virginia and was taken prisoner. He later was exchanged on January 30, 1862 and mustered out from service the next day. On the 11th of August, Withington was commissioned a Colonel and mustered into the 17th Michigan Infantry Field and Staff on August 21st. He commanded the First Brigade from October 16 to October 26 and the Second Brigade, First Division, Ninth Army Corps. in November before being returned to his regiment on December 2. On March 21, 1863, he resigned and was honorably discharged from service. Withington was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Bull Run in Virginia for remaining on the field under heavy fire to succor his superior officer. He was later promoted to Brigadier General by Brevet on March 13, 1865 for conspicuous gallantry at the Battle of South Mountain, Maryland on September 14, 1862. William H. Withington died on June 27, 1903 in Jackson, Michigan. His grave is located at the Mount Evergreen Cemetery in Jackson.Documents for this Author: