WILLIAM EDWARD WILCOX -- 118th INFANTRY 10 MONTHS WITH THE 118th - By the time William Edward Wilcox enlisted in the 118th Infantry, he was twenty-six years old, married to Helen Peck and had a couple of children. He was one of about 25 men who enlisted in Plattsburgh in August and early September 1864 and were sent straight to the battlefield near Petersburgh for the final assaults. They arrived in time for the Battle of Chaffin's Farm on September 29th where one of the men with whom he enlisted was badly wounded. The next day, they were at the "Battle of Holding the Fort" against three charges of the enemy. For the next month, the regiment was in the entrenchments around Fort Burnham to the east of Petersburg. On October 27th, the 118th marched to Seven Pines and Fair Oaks and, the day after, they were in the Second battle of Fair Oaks. From the 29th to November 2nd, they rested in trenches and earth works in the vicinity of Fort Burnham then marched to Aiken's Landing under orders which were revoked when they got there. Held in reserve near Fort Burnham for a few days, they then marched to Deep Bottom to meet an expected attack. Through the winter and early spring, the regiment was in camps in the vicinity of the New Market Road, at the nearest point of their works to Richmond. On April 3, 1865, they entered Richmond.They crossed the James and for the next two months encamped opposite Richmond before sailing down the river en route for home. Passing through New York City, they finally reached Plattsburgh on June 19th. After handing in their guns and receiving their final pay, they were mustered out a week later. William remained in Clinton County with his family. On the 1890 Veterans Schedules, he stated that he was still suffering from burst veins he received while on the march to Deep Bottom. He died in 1892 and was buried in the Peasleeville Cemetery. Helen applied for and received a pension based on William's service. She later married another veteran, George Lamay, who's wife had died in 1889. They are all buried in Peasleeville.
