Confederate Ancestors

This page is dedicated to the men & their families who answered their country's call to repel an illegal, unjust and malicious invasion perpetrated by the United States Army & Navy under the authority of Abraham Lincoln and his administration. These men were not rich; they did not own slaves; they had no desire to seek out a fight, but rather were forced by Northern aggression to stand behind their loved ones, home towns and firesides and the all might of the United States for the cause of States' Rights and the Right to Self-Government. While Secession was in part due to the nation-wide issue of slavery, the War was about subjugating the Southern States at the point of a bayonet. These men were men of honor. They will NEVER be forgotten. 

- Deo Vindice   (God is our Vindicator). 

Kenneth Daniel Willis

Special thanks to Al Willis, Kim Willis Bradford, Mike Byrd, Sara Mayfield Dover and my late grandmother Francis Stewart Willis for their help in acquiring family records, information and photos. Without their help, none of this would be possible. 

I also wish to thank the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Museum and Library of Confederate History in Greenville, SC for the staff’s help in acquiring much roster information and providing practical guidance on pursuing information. Again, without their help, this work could not have prevailed. 

Alphabetical Roster of Confederate Soldiers in The Willis Family History

Including Soldiers from the Mayfield, Laboon & Sumner Histories

Key:   KIA = Killed in Action     WIA = Wounded   DOD = Died of Disease  POW = Prisoner of War     HON DIS = Honorable Discharge       

DOW = Died of Wounds

Ranks:  Pvt = Private       Cpl = Corporal      Sgt = Sergeant      F = First      O = Ordinance       Lt = Lieutenant      Musc = Musician     Cpt = Captain    

Note: Direct Ancestors In Bold

Beeco, Antween Bettix 4th SC Infantry     Co. B Pvt

6th SC Infantry Co. I     Pvt

14th SC Infantry Co. K         Pvt   WIA /  POW

• He was 4’9” tall with a dark complexion and hazel eyes and brown hair. 

• Enlisted with his brother on July 1, 1861 in Summerville, SC into the 6th SC

• In 1862, the 6th SC was reorganized into the 4th SC Infantry.

• In April of 1862, the 4th SC was reorganized into the 13th SC Infantry

• Fought at Lee’s Mills and Williamsburg

• Discharged by the Conscript Act on July 16, 1862

• Enlisted with his brother Miles in the 14th SC Infantry in the McGowan Brigade. 

• Wounded at Petersburg and kept as a prisoner of war until the war ended. 

Beeco, Miles 14th SC Infantry     Co. H Pvt - Musc WIA / POW

• Enlisted as a Private on May 5, 1861 at the age of 23. He was 5’3” tall with blue eyes & dark hair. 

• Promoted to Chief Musician on November 30, 1864

• Wounded and captured with his brother Antween at Petersburg and kept as a prisoner of war until the war ended. 

Beasley, Alexander Read 57th GA Infantry     Co. B Pvt POW

• Captured at Vicksburg, Miss on July 3, 1863 and paroled July 7, 1863. 

• He rejoined the war and surrendered at Greensboro, NC on April 26, 1865. 

Beasley, James Wesley 57th GA Infantry     Co. B FSgt DOD

• Died in Savannah, GA  on March 10, 1864. 

Beasley, John R. 57th GA Infantry     Co. B Pvt DOD

• Died on November 10, 1862 from a bacterial infection 

Beasley, Joseph W. 57th GA Infantry     Co. B Cpl KIA

• Killed in action at Bentonville, NC on March 18, 1865. 

Beasley, Joshua Edward 25th GA Infantry     Co. F Cpl

• Hospitalized at Floyd House Hospital, Macon, GA, with chronic diarrhea on March 6, 1864 and furloughed for 60 days to recover. 

• He did survive the war. 

Flanders, Alexander Chestnutt   48th GA Inf.     Co. H Lt. - Cpt. 

• Residence: Emanuel County GA at the age of 34.

• Enlisted on  March 4, 1862 as a 2nd Lieutenant.

• On March 4, 1862 he was commissioned into H Co. GA 48th Infantry

• Promoted to  Captain on October 29, 1862.

• He was listed as wounded on June 14, 1864 Spotsylvania Court House, VA.

• He Surrendered on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, VA.

Flanders, John Rushing 38th GA Infantry   Co. C Pvt WIA

48th GA Infantry   Co. H Sgt WIA / POW

• Wounded at Cold Harbor, VA on June 27, 1862

• Wounded at Fredericksburg, VA on December 13 or 14, 1862

• Wounded at Riddle Shop, VA on June 13, 1864

•  Captured at Swainsboro, GA on November 29, 1864 

• Released from Point Lookout, MD on June 27, 1865. 

Flanders, Joseph Smith 48th GA Infantry   Co. H Pvt WIA

• Enlisted on March 4, 1862 as a Private and mustered into H Co. GA 48th Infantry.

• Wounded on July 26, 1862 at  Mechanicsville, VA. 

• Wounded on June 14, 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, VA.

• Wounded on February 6, 1865 at Hatcher's Run, VA.

• Hospitalized April 15, 1865 for unknown reason.  

Flanders, Richard Bird 48th GA Infantry     Co. H Pvt DOW

• Died from battle wounds received in Virginia on November 11, 1862. 

Flanders, William Jordan            57th GA Infantry     Co. C Pvt

• Died in 1863 in Savannah, GA.

Fletcher, James 64th GA Infantry             Co. D KIA

• Killed at Fredericksburg assisting in blocking Federals from crossing the river on November 29, 1862

Fletcher, Joseph 49th GA Infantry     Co. F Pvt DOD

• Died of disease at the Confederate Hospital in Huguenot Springs, VA on August 1, 1862. 

Fletcher, Mark Hardin 49th GA Infantry     Co. H Cpl

Fletcher, William 61st GA Infantry     Co. A Pvt - Sgt KIA

• Killed at Huguenot Springs, VA on August 2, 1865. He was 25. 

Laboon, John Harrison 4th SC Infantry     Co. A Pvt

13th SC Infantry     Co. D Sgt WIA

6th SC Cavalry     Co. K Pvt WIA

• Enlisted on April 14, 1861 in the 4th SC Infantry at Anderson Courthouse, Anderson, SC at the age of 30.

• Reorganized into the 13th SC Infantry in April of 1862. 

• Wounded near Richmond, VA on June 27, 1862 and admitted to Chimborazo Hospital #1 in Richmond, VA on July 6, 1862 with a gunshot wound in the foot. 

• Enlisted February 1, 1863 in the 6th SC Cavalry “Aiken’s Partisan Rangers” Co. K in Anderson, SC. 

• Wounded on July 10, 1863 at Adams Runs, SC with a gunshot wound in his right ankle. 

• Was still fighting in the 6th SC in October of 1864 and did survive the war. 

Laboon, Joseph Allen 4th SC Infantry     Co. D Pvt

          13th SC Infantry     Co. D Pvt Hon. Dis.

• Enlisted in the 4th SC on April 14, 1861

• Reorganized into the 13th SC Infantry

• Honorably discharged on July 15, 1863 as too old for duty. 

Laboon, Van Lawhorn 7th SC Infantry   Co. F Pvt WIA / POW

• Enlisted in the 7th on July 1, 1862 under Captain Barksdale in Anderson, SC. 

• Wounded on July 12, 1863 in VA and admitted to either Receiving & Wayside or General Hospital #9 in Richmond, VA. 

• He was treated on July 13, 1863 at General Hospital #1 of Howards Grove, VA for the loss of a finger. 

• He returned to active duty on July 28, 1863. 

• Wounded again in either November or December of 1863. 

• He was furloughed and returned to duty in May. 

• Captured at the North Anna River on May 23, 1864. 

• He was processed into Federal custody on May 30, 1864 at Port Royal, VA

• Transferred to a POW camp at Point Lookout, MD. 

• He was paroled on March 14, 1865 and exchanged on March 15, 1865. 

Laboon, Whitfield 7th SC Infantry Co. H Pvt

Mayfield, Abraham 23rd SC Infantry Co. F Pvt DOW

• Wounded at Second Manassas in 1862 and died in Richmond, VA.  

Mayfield, B. L. 18th SC Infantry Co. D Pvt DOD

• Died of disease in Charleston, SC on November 27, 1864. 

Mayfield, Bird S. 18th SC Infantry Co. D Sgt

• Enlisted on December 4, 1861 at Mountain Springs, Anderson, SC for 12 months’ service. 

• Reenlisted later for another three years’ service. He was the husband of Mary Bryant in Anderson, SC. 

Mayfield, David T. 16th SC Infantry Co. F Pvt DOD

• Died of disease in Charleston, SC on September 18, 1862. 

Mayfield, I. J. 22nd SC Infantry Co. B Cpl

Mayfield, J. L. Hampton’s Legion Pvt DOD

• Died of disease on August 9, 1864 in Richmond, VA. 

Mayfield, John Robert 1st SC Infantry Co. F Pvt DOD

• Died of pneumonia from the train ride to Fredericksburg, VA on June 15, 1862 in Richmond, VA.

• He was brought home and mysteriously buried in Laurens, SC, possibly due to friends in the family of one Lewis Green. 

Mayfield, Hosey Milton 42nd SC Infantry

Mayfield, John Vandiver 42nd SC Infantry

Mayfield, Lewis 5th SC Infantry Co. I Pvt

Mayfield, Massey D. 13th SC Infantry Co B. Pvt DOW

• Died on August 19, 1864 in Fussel’s Mill, VA from wounds. 

Mayfield, Sanford Vandiver 4th SC Infantry Co. D Pvt DOD

• Died of typhus soon after arriving on August 26, 1861 at Camp Pettus VA.  He was 23 or 24. 

Mayfield, Thomas 4th SC Infantry Co. E Pvt

6th SC Infantry Co. E Pvt

Mayfield, Wesley 4th SC Infantry Co. D Pvt

Mayfield, William 6th SC Infantry Co. E Pvt

Mayfield, William Newton Hampton’s Legion Co. D Pvt POW

• Enlisted in 1861 with family members 

• He was captured and spent six months as a POW at Rock Island, IL. 

Singletary, Henry Crayton 29th GA Infantry Co. C Pvt

• Survived war

Sumner, Alexander, A. 2nd GA Infantry Co. C Pvt

Sumner, Ashley C. 1st GA Infantry Co. C Pvt

Sumner, Berrien 64th GA Infantry Co. B Pvt DOD

• Died from chronic diarrhea at the CSA Chimborazo Hospital #2 in Richmond on April 14, 1863. 

Sumner, Bird Lewis Emanuel Troops Moring’s Pvt

• Was enlisted by September 12, 1861

Sumner, Burrell Barry Sr. 49th GA Infantry Co. F DOD

• Died of disease in Camp Davis, GA in a Confederate hospital on April 7, 1862

Sumner, Daniel S. 64th GA Infantry Co. D Pvt

Sumner, George M. 28th GA Infantry Co. K Pvt DOW

• Enlisted in September of 1861 at Camp Stevens, GA 

• Wounded at Sharpsburg (Antietam), MD on September 17, 1862 and died at the Lines Farm Hospital. 

• He is buried at the Washington Confederate Cemetery in Hagerstown, MD.

• He was 18-19 years old.  

Sumner, George S. 10th GA Infantry Co. F Pvt

• Enlisted in Isabela, GA in 1864

• Paroled in Albany, GA in 1865 

Sumner, George Walton 10th GA Infantry Co. B OSgt 

Sumner, Gordon Archibald 10th GA Infantry Co. F Cpl - Lt.

Sumner, James C. 64th GA Infantry Co. D Pvt

Sumner, Jesse C. Jr. 49th GA Infantry Co. F Pvt

• Enlisted in Irwinville, GA in March of 1862. 

• Surrendered with Lee at Appomattox, VA on April 9, 1865.

Sumner, Jesse J. 4th GA Infantry Co. F Pvt DOW

• A farmer for South Georgia

• Wounded at Chancellorsville, VA with a minie ball through his right hip going out the back

• Admitted to Chimborazo Hospital #2 in Richmond, VA on May 9, 1863. 

• He died from his wounds on June 12, 1863. 

Sumner, Jethro 54th GA Infantry Co. C Cpl Hon. Dis.

• Enlisted May 6, 1862 as a corporal 

• Honorably discharged on March 12, 1864

Sumner, John A. 28th GA Infantry Co. K Pvt KIA

• Died on June 16, 1862 during the Peninsular campaign, probably at Seven Pines, VA. 

• Body not recovered 

Sumner, John B. 4th GA Cavalry Co. F Pvt

Sumner, John J. 64th GA Infantry Co. D Pvt

• Surrendered with Lee at Appomattox, VA on April 9, 1865.  

Sumner, John “Jack” Cary 64th GA Infantry Co. D Pvt

Sumner, Joseph Lofton 14th GA Infantry Pvt WIA

64th GA Infantry   Co. D   Lt

• Enlisted as a private on July 9, 1861

• Wounded in the hand and leg at Fredericksburg in December of 1862 and furlough home to heal. 

• Reassigned to the 64th GA Infantry 

• Elected as jr. 2nd Lieutenant of Co. D on February 29, 1863. 

• Promoted to 1st Lieutenant on March 10, 1863

• Paroled at Albany, GA on May 19, 1865

• Served as a Worth County representative to the GA Legislature from 1894-1895 in Atlanta, GA. 

Sumner, Joseph Milton 10th GA Infantry Co. F Sgt WIA

• Mustered into service on September 12, 1861

• Reenlisted in July of 1862 

• Promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1863

• Wounded at the Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road (also known as the First Battle of the Weldon Railroad, fought June 21-23, 1864) near Petersburg, Virginia on July 6, 1864 by a .69 minie ball to the arm. 

• He was on medical furlough when the war ended. He was listed as permanently disabled. It is not clear if he was an amputee. 

• Became a representative of Worth County, GA to the State Legislature in the 1890s. 

Sumner, Joseph M. 14th GA Infantry Co. ? Pvt WIA, KIA

• Wounded at Fredericksburg, VA on December 12-13, 1862 and was killed at Spotsylvania, VA on May 12, 1864.

Sumner, Joseph R. 49th GA Infantry Co. F Pvt DOD

• Enlisted with relatives in Irwin County on March 4, 1862. 

• Died of chronic diarrhea in the Danville General Hospital in Danville, VA on November 1, 1862. 

Sumner, Joseph T. 48th GA Infantry Co. H Pvt KIA

• Enlisted March 4, 1862. 

• Killed at Manassas Gap, VA on July 23, 1863. 

Sumner, Matthew 64th GA Infantry Co. ? POW / DOD

• Died as a POW in Elmira, NY on December 6, 1864 from chronic diarrhea. 

Sumner, Robert Emanuel Troops Moring’s Pvt

3rd GA Infantry Co. H Pvt

• Father of John A., George M. and Willis T. Sumner 

Sumner, Stewart 1st GA Infantry Co. C Pvt WIA

• Brother of William R. Sumner

• Wounded in the Battle of Atlanta, survived war. 

Sumner, Thomas Jefferson 10th GA Infantry Co. B Sgt DOD

• Died of disease in Jerusalem, VA Confederate Hospital on April 17, 1863.

• Burial site unknown, only a memorial marker exists for him in the family cemetery in Worth County, GA. 

Sumner, Wesley 49th GA Infantry Co. F Pvt

• Enlisted with relatives in Irwin County on March 4, 1862

• Deserted at Augusta, GA on April 3, 1862

Sumner, William Clarence 1st GA Infantry Co. C Pvt WIA

• Wounded in right arm at Kennesaw Mountain, GA on June 15, 1864. He received another wound in the left arm shortly before the war ended. He received an annual pension from the state of GA from 1888 until his death in 1911. 

Sumner, William R. 10th GA Infantry Co. B Pvt DOD

• Brother of Stewart Sumner

• Enlisted with his brothers Berrien and Matthew on September 12, 1861 in Worth County, GA. 

• Reenlisted on March 4, 1862

• Admitted to CSA General Hospital for pneumonia on May 8, 1863  

• Died of disease in a CSA Hospital in Farmville, VA on June 6, 7 or 8, 1863

• Believed to be buried in mass grave at Farmville Confederate Cemetery, VA

Sumner, Willis T. 28th GA Infantry Co. K Pvt KIA

• Enlisted September 10, 1861

• Brother of John and George Sumner. Killed at Sharpsburg (Antietam), MD on September 17, 1862. 

• Body never recovered, burial unknown 

Sumner, Wright M. 57th GA Infantry Co. B Pvt POW

• Enlisted May 5, 1862

• Captured at Vicksburg, Miss. on July 4, 1863

• Paroled on July 7, 1863 and exchanged in October of 1863. 

Sullivan, Richard Rowland’s Batt.  GA Conscripts Pvt

• Half brother of Dempsey Rite Willis

Sullivan, William K. 62nd GA Cavalry Co. A Pvt

• Father of Richard Sullivan

White, Henry 1st Palmetto S.S. Co. L Pvt

• Brother of James Walker White

White, James Walker 4th SC Infantry Co. L Pvt

    13th SC Infantry Co. C.         Cpl - Sgt

   1st Palmetto S.S. Co. L Pvt

• Brother of Henry White

• Enlisted at Pendleton, SC by Capt. Shanklin into the 4th SC for 12 months

• Reenlisted on March 29, 1862 near Orange Court House, VA under Capt. Will Anderson at Camp Taylor into the 1st Palmetto Sharpshooters Co. L for a term of 24 months

•  Admitted to the Episcopal Church Hospital in Williamsburg, VA on June 2, 1862 with a complaint of debility and returned to active duty on June 19, 1862. 

• Reenlisted on January 21, 1864 by Col. Walker in Morristown, TN into the 13th SC Infantry. 

• Admitted to Jackson Hospital in Richmond, VA on October 2, 1864 for an unknown reason and returned to active duty on October 21, 1864. 

• He received an “expiration furlough indulgence” at some point thereafter and returned to active duty in January of 1865. 

• His regiment surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse under Robert E. Lee in April of 1865.

• He was paroled on April 9, 1865. 

Willis, Barney 10th GA Infantry Co. B Pvt

• Brother of Benjamin Willis V*

Willis, Benjamin VI 10th GA Infantry Co. B Pvt Hon. Dis.

• Honorably discharged for being too old for duty. He was 53 years old.

Willis, Daniel 10th GA Infantry Co. B, F Cpl

• Son of Benjamin Willis V, brother of John, William G. and Joseph William Willis

• Paroled May 22, 1865 in Albany, GA. 

Willis, Daniel Jackson 61st GA Infantry Co. H Pvt

Willis, Dempsey Rite 1st GA Infantry Co. H

• Enlisted in 1863 and survived the war

Willis, Elbert 61st GA Infantry Co. A Pvt WIA

• Brother of Daniel Jackson Willis

• Wounded at the Wilderness, VA 

Willis, John 10th GA Infantry Co. B Pvt DOD

• Died of disease in a Confederate Army hospital in Petersburg, VA on April 23, 1863. 

• Buried in Hampton National Cemetery, VA

Willis, Joseph William 10th GA Infantry Co. F Pvt

• Was turned down for the Army because he was too young

• He joined the CSA Postal Service and rode a two and half day route between Thomasville, GA and Albany, GA until he could join the Army. 

• He survived the war and carried a .36 Colt Pocket Revolver, which still remains in the Willis Family private collection. We also have his 1912 SCV Reunion group photo and ribbon. 

• After the war he married Rachel Land and had children. 

Willis, S.P. 10th GA Infantry Co.  ? Pvt

20th GA Cavalry Co. ? Sgt

Willis, William 10th GA Infantry Co. B Pvt

• Brother of Barney Willis

• Killed at Fredericksburg, VA in December of 1862 

• Burial location unknown 

Willis, William G. 10th GA Infantry Co. B Pvt - Cpl DOD

• Enlisted in the 10th GA on March 4, 1862 in Isabella, GA

• Admitted to CSA General Hospital #1 in Richmond, VA on January 1, 1863

• Died of chronic diarrhea  on March 4, 1863 in the Confederate Hospital in Macon, GA 

• Originally buried in Hollywood Cemetery Richmond, VA but eventually brought home to Worth County, GA in the Benjamin Willis Family Cemetery

CONFEDERATE CASUALTIES FROM THE WILLIS FAMILY LINEAGE

WIA = Wounded in Action / KIA = Killed in Action / POW = Prisoner of War / DOW  = Died of Wounds / DOD = Died of Disease 

Antween Bettix Beeco 14th SC WIA / POW - Petersburg, VA

Miles Beeco 14th SC WIA / POW - Petersburg, VA

Alexander Read Beasley 57th GA POW - Vicksburg, MISS

John R. Beasley 57th GA DOD - Savannah, GA

Joseph W. Beasley 57th GA KIA - Bentonville, NC

John Rushing Flanders 38th & 48th GA WIA x 3 / POW

Joseph Smith Flanders 48th GA WIA x 3

Richard Bird Flanders 48th GA DOW - Fredericksburg, VA

James Fletcher 64th GA KIA - Fredericksburg, VA

Joseph Fletcher 49th GA DOD - Huguenot Springs, VA

William Fletcher 61st GA KIA - Huguenot Springs, VA

John Harrison Laboon 4th & 13th SC & 6th SC Cav    WIA x 2 - Richmond, VA & Adams Run, SC

Van Lawhorn Laboon 7th SC WIA x 2 / POW - Virginia 

Abraham Mayfield 23rd SC DOW - Second Manassas, VA

B. L. Mayfield 18th SC DOD - Charleston, SC

David T. Mayfield 16th SC DOD - Charleston, SC

J. L. Mayfield Hampton's Legion DOD - Richmond, VA

John Robert Mayfield 1st SC DOD - Richmond, VA

Massey D. Mayfield 13th SC DOW - Fussel's Mill, VA

Sanford Vandiver Mayfield 4th SC DOD - Camp Pettus, VA

William Newton Mayfield Hampton's Legion POW - Rock Island, IL

Berrien Sumner 64th GA DOD - Richmond, VA

Burrell Barry Sumner Sr. 49th GA DOD - Camp Davis, GA

George M. Sumner 28th GA DOW - Sharpsburg, MD

Jesse J. Sumner 14th GA DOW - Chancellorsville, VA

John A. Sumner 28th GA KIA - Seven Pines

Joseph Lofton Sumner 14th GA WIA - Fredericksburg

Joseph Milton Sumner 10th GA WIA - Jerusalem Plank Road Battle

Joseph M. Sumner 14th GA WIA / KIA - Fredericksburg & Sharpsburg

Joseph R. Sumner 49th GA DOD - Danville, VA

Joseph T. Sumner 48th GA KIA - Manassas Gap, VA

Matthew Sumner 64th GA POW / DOD - Elmira POW Camp, NY

Stewart Sumner 1st GA WIA - Atlanta

Thomas Jefferson Sumner 10th GA DOD - Jerusalem, VA

William Clarence Sumner 1st GA WIA x 2 - Kennesaw Mountain, GA & ?

William R. Sumner 10th GA DOD - Farmville, VA

Willis T. Sumner 28th GA KIA - Sharpsburg, MD

Wright M. Sumner 57th GA POW - Vicksburg, MISS

Elbert Willis 61st GA WIA - The Wilderness, VA

John Willis 10th GA DOD - Petersburg, VA

William Willis 10th GA KIA - Fredericksburg

William G. Willis 10th GA DOD - Macon, GA