37 As a young boy, Williams was considered well educated by the members of his community. His learning along with his increasing popularity, resulted in his election to the office of magistrate in Hillsboro at the age of twenty-one (4). In addition to his civic duties, William was the sole supporter of a widowed mother, two sisters, a younger brother (5). Williams had married Lovicy Tatum in 1853, and to this union were born five children; but only one, Thomas Walker, survived (6). This family, as did others in southern Arkansas, accumulated property, and enjoyed prosperous times until the nation's unity crumbled in 1861 (7). Early in 1862, a Federal force from Missouri threatened to invade Arkansas. General Earl Van Dorn had been called away from his Virginia campaigns to take charge of ten newly formed Arkansas regiments, which were being recruited by Governor Henry M. Rector. Heeding the call of the governor and other officials, Williams signed up for the Confederacy as a private on March 1st in Hillsboro along with others from Moro Bay, Victoria, Pidgeon Hill and Wilmington (8). Four of Williams's friends, who had also joined the Southern ranks, William Galva Simmons, Alkin Finley, Uriah Craig, and James W. Burnside, banded together with others, said goodbye to their families, and marched off toward DeVall's Bluff to join Brig. Gen. Albert Rust's Brigade (9). ____________________ 4. Ibid. 5. 1850 U. S. Census of Union County, Ark. on microfilm at the Ark. History Commission, Little Rock. Authors used photostat copy courtesy Mrs. Lillian McGowan, El Dorado. 6. Goodspeed, 870. 7. Interview with Mrs. Agnes Williams Johnson, granddaughter of H. G. P. Williams, Sept. 1968, El Dorado. 8. Goodspeed, 870.           Contents  Words  Study Questions  Related Sites Next