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William Thomas Linton, the seventh child and third son of William "Buck" and Clarissa Seagers Linton was born on January 31, 1836 in Pike County, Alabama.
On July 3, 1861 in Troy, Alabama, William T. Linton answered the call to defend his country. He enlisted as a Private in Company "I", 15th Alabama Infantry (Quitman Guards). William T. and his younger brother George Washington Linton, enlisted at the same time and were in the same unit. His older brother Aaron Ellis Linton enlisted as a Private in Company "C" 60th Alabama Infantry.
William T. was engaged in the Battle of Winchester, May 25, 1862. He was severely wounded at Cross Keys, Virginia, June 9, 1862 and was shot in the left knee with a Minnie ball and two buck shots in the left hip. At Chickamauga, he was wounded in the left shoulder. He was absent, wounded and was assigned to hospital duty at Stanton, Virginia by orders of General Lee. After he was released from hospital duty, he was engaged in the Battle of Suffolk, May 3, 1863 and Gettysburg July 2, 1863 at Little Round Top with the 15th.
William T. was captured by the hands of the enemy at Knoxville, Tennessee, November 25, 1863 in which he was sent to three Union Prison Camps, Louisville, Kentucky, Camp Chase, Columbus Ohio and Rock Island, Illinois. He was released on Oath of Allegiance June 18, 1865 and he was described as having a fresh complexion, dark brown hair, blue eyes and his height was 5'11" and age 28 years old.
All three brothers survived the war, with all being wounded.
After the war, William T. went back to Pike County, Alabama and married my Great Grandmother, Mary R. Dukes July 10, 1866 and about 1872 they came to Rusk County, Texas. They reared nine children including my Grandfather, George Washington "Jack" Linton, who was the youngest son.
I remember hearing my dad talk about his grandpa William T. and how he didn't like Yankees and how he wouldn't take paper money. It had to be either gold or silver. He didn't trust banks, so he carried his money with him in a fruit jar and he would bury it, but would tell someone that he could trust where the jar of money was. The reason behind this is William T. was widowed and he would go and stay awhile with each of his children. If he happened to die, the money that he took with him would be enough to bury him. Dad also would tell how his Grandpa, while in the war, would crack the dead horse bones and eat the inside to survive.
William Thomas Linton died January 11, 1920 in the home of his son and my Grandfather, George Washington "Jack" Linton. He is buried in Martin Cemetery, Rusk County, Texas.
Besides being shot, captured, poor rations, foul drinking water and sickness, William T. endured all and gave all for what he believed in.
On October 8, 2011 Private William Thomas Linton was honored with a Southern Cross Ceremony at Martin Cemetery, Rusk County, Texas.
I am richly blessed and honored to be the Great Grandson of William Thomas Linton.
submitted by George E. Linton
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