Personal Information

Born in Fluvanna County, Virginia, in 1846, William James Heath was a son to Eliza Heath. He enlisted in the Civil War on September 1, 1863, when he was 17 years old. During battle he was shot in the right Tibia (leg). Shortly after, he died between the ages of eighteen and nineteen in Chimborazo Hospital located in Richmond, Virginia. He never married, nor had any children.

Military Information

William Heath enlisted as a Confederate soldier into the 44th Virginia Infantry, Company K, as a Private. Company K was disbanded, and Heath was then re-enlisted into Company I. Most likely, he fought in the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, the Battle of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the Battle of The Wilderness, Virginia. On May 5, 1864, During the Battle of The Wilderness, fought in Spotsylvania County and Orange County, Heath was captured at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia. He was then sent to Bells Plain, Virginia. on May 18, 1864, and then to Point Lookout, Maryland, where he was exchanged on October 11, 1864. He was admitted into Chimborazo Hospital on August 31, 1864, and stayed there until October 20, 1864, suffering from diarrhea for 60 days. Following his stay, he returned to the war.

Most likely from fighting in the Battle of Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee, Heath was shot in the right Tibia. This gunshot wound was a major setback, he was sent to Wayside Hospital on February 5, 1865. Four days later, on February 9, 1865, he was transferred to Chimborazo Hospital, for the second time. On March 14, 1865, at age 18 or 19, he died from a “Gun Shot Wound Right Tibia Compound Fracture.” Shortly after, he was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, in Richmond, Richmond City, Virginia, in Plot: Section G, Row K, Grave 96.

44th Virginia Infantry

The 44th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment based in Virginia for service in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. It fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia. This regiment was organized in June 1861, with men from Richmond and Farmville, and Appomattox, Buckingham, Louisa, Goochland, Amelia, Fluvanna (which is where William Heath was from), and Hanover counties. The unit fought at Rich Mountain, in Lee's Cheat Mountain Campaign, and was active in Jackson's Valley operations. In March of 1862, it was reduced to nine companies as Company A was transferred to the artillery. It was involved in many battles, including the Seven Days' Battles to Cold Harbor. This regiment then continued the fight with Early in the Shenandoah Valley and around Appomattox. Heath’s field officer was Colonel Norvell Cobb, who was commissioned a captain of the 44th Virginia Infantry in June of 1861.

Sources:

1. "William James Heath,” American Civil War Research Database. Accessed May 17, 2017, http://civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?SoldierHistory?C&212004

2. "Pvt William James Heath,” Find a Grave, Last modified September 13, 2012, accessed May 17, 2017, https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9701256

3. “44th Virginia Infantry,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Last modified April 3, 2017. Accessed June 6, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/44thVirginiaInfantry

4. “Norvell P. Cobb,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Last modified June 6, 2016. Accessed June 6, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NorvellP.Cobb