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The 36th Virginia Infantry’s first assignment was with the Army of the North West, later they served with the Army of the Kanawha. In early January 1862, the regiment was moved to Bowling Green, Ky. There they were placed in the Central Army of Kentucky. The regiment was one of the few regiments which managed to escape capture at Fort Donelson, Tn. in February 1862. They returned to Virginia, and soon served in the Valley District of the Department of Northern Virginia. In the spring of 1863, the regiment joined the Army of Western Virginia. They served until they merged with the Army of Western Virginia and Eastern Tennessee, until the beginning of 1864. In May 1864, they were attached to the Army of the Valley District (Stonewall Jackson’s old 2nd Corp.). The 36th Virginia served in this Army for the remainder of the war. The following list shows the specific command assignments of this regiment.  

• July 15,1861 – Assigned to General Wise’s Brigade, Army of the North West. 
•  August 13,1861 – Assigned to General Floyd’s Brigade, Army of the Kanawha. 
•  December 16,1861 – Assigned to General Johnson’s Army. 
•  January 31,1862 – . Assigned to General Floyd’s Brigade, Floyd’s Division, Central Army of Kentucky.
•  April 9,1862 – Assigned to General Heth’s command. 
•  July 3,1862 -  Garrison duty, Monroe County Virginia. Valley District, Department of North West Virginia. 
•  September 9,1862 -  Assigned to General J.S. Wilbond’s command. 
•  November 22,1862 -  Unattached, Valley District, Department of Northern Virginia. 
•  October 31,1863 -  Assigned to the 4th Brigade, Army of Western Virginia. 
•  December 31,1863 -  Assigned to the 4th Brigade, Army of Western Virginia and Tennessee. 
•  May 1864 -  Assigned to General Breckenridge’s command. 
•  June 17,1864 -  Assigned to General Early’s command, Army of the Valley District. 
•  September 24,1864 -  Assigned to Wharton’s command. 
•  October 31,1864 -  Smith’s Brigade, Wharton’s Division, Army of the Valley District. 

The 36th Virginia Infantry Regiment participated in 12 engagements in 1861, 14 engagements in 1862, only 2 in 1863, and over 85 engagements in 1864, and 3 in 1865. To the left are a brief list of engagements.

The 36th Virginia Infantry disbanded on April 12,1865 in Christainsburg, Virginia after hearing news of General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, Virginia. Before the men separated and headed for home, they were given a review of there four years of service, recalling their victories and remembering those who were no longer with them.

The 36th Virginia Infantry had over 2300 men that served in her ranks between 1861-1865. (a regt. had 10 companies, each company had 100 men = 1000 men per regiment). They took over 50% casualties. 100 men died as result of battle. 150 men died from disease, another 625 men were captured. Of those men captured, 85 of them died in Federal prisons. About 250 men were severally wounded. Several hundred soldiers were transferred to other regt’s when the regiment was reorganized in August of 1861 and again in May 1862.

•  Scary Creek, Scarytown, Va. – July 17,1861 
•  Cross Lanes, Va. – August 26,1861 
•  Carnifex Ferry, Va. – September 19,1861 
•  Fort Donelson, Tn. – February 14-16,1862 
•  Giles Court House, Va. – May 10,1862 
•  Fayetteville, Va. – September 10,1862 
•  Cotton Hill, Va. – September 11,1862 
•  Buffalo, Va. – October 1,1862 
•  Fayetteville, Va. – May 18-20,1863 
•  Fayetteville, Va. – June 3,1863 
•  Cloyd’s Mt., Va. – May 9,1864 
•  Piedmont, Va. – June 5,1864 
•  Lynchburg, Va. – June 17-18,1864 
•  Monocracy, Md. – July 9,1864 
•  Fort Stevens, Washington, DC – July 11-12, 1864 
•  Snickers’ Gap, Va. – July 17,1864 
•  Berryville, Va. – July 19,1864 
•  Stephens Depot, Va. – July 20,1864 
•  Fishers Hill, Va. – July 23,1864 
•  Winchester, Va. – August 10,1864 
•  Winchester, Va. – August 17-19,1864 
•  Opequon Creek, Va. – September 19,1864 
•  Fishers Hill, Va. – September 22,1864 
•  Cedar Creek, Va. – October 19,1864 
•  Fishers Hill, Va. – December 19,1864 
•  Waynesboro, Va. – March 2,1865  

Company A – Nicknamed the “BUFFALO GUARDS” ; Organized on November 1,1859 as a independent Militia company, assigned to this regiment for a one year enlistment on May 13,1861, accepted into C.S. service in July 1861. (This company was first known as part of the 3rd Kanawha Infantry Regt., which was disbanded in July 1861).

Company B (1st) – Nicknamed the “LOGAN COUNTY WILDCATS” ; Organized on May 27,1861, for a one year enlistment; accepted into C.S service July 1,1861. (This company was first known as part of the 2nd Kanawha Infantry Regt.) On May 26,1862 this company was reorganized, and consolidated with Companies C (1st) and H (1st) to form Company D (2nd).

Company B (2nd) – Nicknamed the “BOONE RANGERS” ; Organized and enlisted June 1,1861, for one year service: Accepted into C.S service on July 1,1861. (This company was first known as part of the 2nd Knanwha Infantry Regt.) Re-organized on May 26,1862 from company D(1st).

Company C (1st) – Nicknamed the “CHAPMANVILLE RIFLEMEN” ; Organized on June 19,1861, for one year enlistment: Accepted in C.S service July 1,1861. (This company was first known as part of the 2nd Kanawha Infantry Regt.) Consolidated with Company B (1st) and Company H (1st), to form Company D (2nd) on May 26,1862.

Company C (2nd) – Nicknamed the “RALEIGH RANGERS” ; Organized on June 3,1861, for a one year enlistment. Accepted into C.S service on July 1,1861; as Company E (1st). (This company was first known as part of the 2nd Kanawha Infantry Regt.). This Company was reorganized on May 12, 1862.

Company D (1st) – Nicknamed the “BOONE RANGERS” ; Organized on June 1,1861. This company was reorganized as company B(2nd), See Company B(2nd).

Company D (2nd) – Nicknamed the “LOGAN COUNTY WILDCATS”; formed May 26,1862 by the consolidation of Company B (1st) and H (1st) of this regiment ; some members transferred to Co. K (2nd) of this regiment on April 17,1864.

Company E (1st) – See Company C (2nd).

Company E (2nd) – Nicknamed the “WESTERN RIFLEMEN” : Formerly as Company G (1st), organized and enlisted on June 16,1861, for one year. Accepted into C.S service on July 1,1861. (This company was first part of the 3rd Kanawha Infantry Regt., which was broken up in July 1861); Company reorganized on May 13,1862.

Company F – Nicknamed the “MOUNTAIN RIFLEMEN” : Organized and enlisted on June 10,1861, for one year. (This company was first part of the 2nd Kanwaha Infantry Regt.) Company was Reorganized on May 13,1862.

Company G (1st) – See Company E (1st).

Company G (2nd) – Captain Henry C. Grossclose’s Company. Organized and enlisted on May 3,1862, for the duration of the war..

Company H (1st) – Captain Louis Lechenet’s Company: Organized and enlisted July 3,1861, for one year. Accepted into C.S service on July 11, 1861. Consolidated with Company B (1st) and C (1st) to form Company D (2nd) on May 26,1862.

Company H (2nd) – Captain Andrew J. Porterfield’s Company ; Organized and enlisted on April 13, 1862, for the duration of the war.

Company I (1st) – Captain John Rigg’s Company ; disbanded in August 1861.

Company I (2nd) – Captain John R. Dunlap’s Company ; Organized and enlisted on August 5, 1861, for one year. Accepted into C.S service on Sept.20,1861. Transferred out of the regiment. Assigned as Company B, 23rd Virginia Battalion Infantry on January 15,1862.

Company I (3rd) – Captain Andrew Gott’s Company ; Organized on April 16,1862, for the duration of the war. Enlisted on April 19,1862.

Company K (1st) – Nicknamed the “FAIRVIEW RIFLE GUARDS” ; Commanded by Captain James Corn’s ; Organized on May 28,1861. Disbanded in August 9th,1861.

Company K (2nd) – Captain Peter D. Morgan’s Company ; Organized on April 17,1864, composed from new recruits, conscripts and transfers from Company D (2nd).
 

Captain Albert J. Beckett’s Cavalry Company – Nicknamed the “BORDER GUARDS” ; Enlisted on May 16,1861, for one year from April 25,1861, and reported as a Cavalry Company in the 2nd Kanawha Infantry Regt.; In August 1861, this company reported as a cavalry company attached to this regiment. Transferred out of the regiment by order of General Floyd, on September 26,1861.

Captain Albert Jenkins’ Cavalry Company – Organized as a independent company on May 29,1861. This company was transferred out of this regiment by order of General Floyd, on August 4,1861. Later assigned to the 8th Virginia Cavalry, Company E.

Captain Robert A. Bailey’s Company – Organized and enlisted on June 6,1861, for one year. (This company was first known as part of the 2nd Kanawha Infantry Regt.) Transferred out of this regiment on August 31,1861. Assigned as Company K (3rd), 22nd Virginia Infantry, previously known as Company C, 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment. (Perviously known as the 1st Kanawha Infantry Regt).

Captain William H. Lipscomb’s Company – Organized and enlisted on June 1,1861, for one year service. Reported in July 1861 as a incomplete company in the 3rd Kanwha Infantry Regt.) In early August 1861, as of this regiment: Transferred out of this regiment on August 31,1861. Assigned as Company B, 22nd Virginia Infantry, previously known as Company F, 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment.

The 36th Virginia Infantry was organized in the western counties of Virginia, now known as West Virginia. On May 13, 1861 this unit was known as the 2nd Kanawha Infantry Regiment, and on July 8, 1861 was accepted into Confederate State service. July 15, 1861 they were designated the 36th Virginia Infantry.
 
The regiments commanding officer was Colonel John McCausland. He led this regiment until May 19,1864 when he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and transferred to the cavalry, which he commanded to the end of the war. From May 1864 to the end of the war this regiment was then commanded by Colonel William E. Fife.
Like almost all civil war regiments, the 36th Virginia Infantry was often known by alternate designations (such as those to the right) derived from the names of their commanding officers, such as Lt. Jackson Via. Unofficially these names were used to identify the regiment.

•  Colonel McCausland’s Infantry 
•  Benjamin Linkous Infantry 
•  Colonel Smith’s Infantry 
•  Christopher Roles Infantry 
•  Colonel Fife’s Infantry 
•  Peter Morgan’s Infantry 
•  James McSherry’s Infantry 
•  Henry Grosscloss’s Infantry 
•  Francis Thornton’s Infantry 
•  Jackson Via’s Infantry 

The Western New York area has nearly 50 Confederate Veterans resting throughout Western New York.  Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York, has several known graves of Confederate Veterans, buried there – Below are just of those Confederates buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

QM Sgt. Samuel HM Hall

Born Dec. 29, 1835. The Hall family lived in Buffalo, NY at 189 Virginia St.  Young Sammy Hall attended “Fay’s School” with Adrian Root -known members of “The Virginia Street Boys’. Boys attending the Fay School academy were known by this name.

Just before the war he left for Georgia for work, and possibly had kin living in GA.  Resident of Chatham Co., GA, Samuel Hall enlisted May 21,1861 in Capt. Francis S. Bartow’s company in Savanna, GA – Co. B 8th GA Infantry (as a Nt.). He stood 5’7” tall, and had gray eyes, dark hair.

On January 1862 he served as the Brigade postmaster. Promoted to QM Sgt and transferred to Co. S

In his post war days, Samuel, later returned to Buffalo, NY and lived in the house he was raised in.

He died Oct. 19, 1874 at the age of 38 years 10 months, at his Virginia Street address, and was buried at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, next to one of his Yankee comrades in section #8, lot 1 7 (in what looks like a large family plot).

Lt. Edward B. D. Riley

Edward B. Riley was born @1840, son of Bvt. Major General Bennett Riley (of the Mexican War).

Edward attended and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point New York. Was appointed a 2nd Lieut., and was sent out west to the California territory, as an officer in the 4th US Infantry.

When the war broke out in 1861, Lt. Edward Riley resigned his commission on June 13, 1861, and left with Armistead and others from the post in California, for Texas, and then to Virginia. He served as a staff officer, under Bragg and Johnston and several others, as part of the Confederate staff.

After the war, Edward returned to Buffalo, and was employed by the Erie Railroad Company as a Railroad agent. He resided at 146 Elmwood Ave in 1890.

Edward B. D. Ripley died at the age of 78 and died on February 28, 1918, and is buried next to his father in Lot 1 5, Sect 6, at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Capt. / Asst. Surgeon John Brownlow Coakley

John Brownlow Coakley was born on June 29, 1838 in Stafford County Virginia. John attended Hampton— Sydney Collage. He was listed as a Doctor of Medicine, at the Medical Collage of Virginia in 1861, and attended the Virginia Military Institute.

He was appointed Assistant Surgeon on Nov. 16, was assigned to the Richmond Hospital, and then was assigned as Asst. surgeon with U. Colonel Charles E. Lightfoot’s Virginia 53rd Bn. of Lt Artillery. Part of the Artillery Reserves, II Corps, ANV. At wars end he was paroled at Appomattox, Virginia, where he was the ranking officer present, he was in command of the Battalion (of 29 men).

In His post war years, he married Sarah in 1875. John B and Sarah B Coakley came to buffalo in 1880.

He became the president of the Common Council around the turn of the century, then, president of the Erie County Medical Society.  He was a member of the Board of Councilmen and President of the Buffalo Civil Service Commission.

John Brownlow Coakley died of Lung Disease, after a long illness, on June 4, 1924, at the age of 86 years. He is buried at Fares Lawn Cemetery, in Buffalo, NY, in Lot 43, Sect 1.

There are several thousand Confederate Veterans buried throughout New York State.  Quite a number died during the War Between the States in Northern prisons such as Elmira, Ft. Columbus, etc. There is a Cemetery called Cypress Hills National Cemetery, in New York City, which holds a great number of Confederate soldiers, who died in various Federal prisons all around the NY City area.Others were former Confederate Veterans, which many who sought out work up north in the big cities or a married a New York girl as decided to live up here, or a hundred other reasons, including that they were originally born or raised up here in New York Sate.

In some cases, the old Veterans lived in the same area or communities as other veterans, or gathered in a newly formed organization for remembrance, called the United Confederate Veterans.  One example is the General Archibald Gracie Camp in New York City, which many of the Confederate Veterans are buried in their own Sections, in selected cemeteries. There are many such cemeteries throughout New York City and surrounding areas, including a place called Hastings on the Hudson, where there is a large Confederate section.

Information on Confederates buried in Western New York can be found HERE.

©1997 Steven R. Teeft, all rights reserved

Born in Franklin County Virginia about 1829, son of Anderson and Jane (Vest), they had 11 children. Anderson was Born March 15,1799 and Died August 25,1874 in Franklin Co. He married Jane Vest on April 29,1824 in Franklin Co., daughter of Littleberry Vest and Polly Moor.

Little is know at this time about Jackson’s early life.

Jackson was a school teacher in Boone County, VA;  In May 1861 Jackson was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in Company D (1st), 36th Virginia Infantry in Peytona, Boone County, Va.; age of 32. Company D (2nd) was reorganized on May 27,1862 and re-designated as Company B.

Jackson Via was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He served through out the war, he solely commanded company B, in early 1864 when Captain McSherry was captured in Boone Co. 1st Lt. Via lead his company until he himself was captured at Waynesboro, Va on March 2,1865 and was sent to Fort Delaware. He was released on June 17th,1865. He had grey eyes, dark hair, and was 5’8″ tall. Jackson entered the Camp Lee soldiers home in Richmond Virginia on March 28,1886. Jackson had a disability with his legs as he called them “Paralyzed”. Jackson at the age of 56 stayed for a short time, only to checked himself out of the Soldiers home, for no known reason. nothing else is known about his where about afterwards.

He had a Brother named Sparrel (Stephen) who served also with him in Company B. Sparrel was born in 1828, enlisted in Franklin Co., on November 10th,1863. He served through out the remainder of the war, and married Mary Cochran. Sparrel died of dropsy on June 10th,1888 in Patrick Co, Va.

NOTE: If you have any further information related to Jackson or Sparrel Via, please Contact Us.

1st National

2nd National

3rd National

Battle Flag

Bonnie Blue

The Bonnie Blue Flag

On 9 January 1861, the Convention of the People of Mississippi adopted an Ordinance of Secession. With the announcement of the Ordinance, a large blue flag bearing a single white star was raised over the capitol building in Jackson.

The Bonnie Blue Flag, which was destined to be the second most popular patriotic song in the Confederacy.

1st National Confederate Flag – Adoption of the “Stars & Bars”

The original flag of the Confederate States of America, commonly known as the “STARS AND BARS”, was approved by the Congress of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States, and first hoisted over the capitol building in Montgomery, Alabama, on the afternoon of the 4th day of March, 1861. Congress did not adopted a formal Act codifying this flag, “The flag of the Confederate States of America shall consist of a red field with a white space extending horizontally through the center, and equal in width to one-third the width of the flag. The red space above and below to be the same width as the white. The union blue extending down through the white space and stopping at the lower red space. In the center of the union a circle of white stars corresponding in number with the States in the Confederacy. ”
 
This new flag spread quickly in use across the South, even beyond the borders of the seven States of the CSA. The official version was to have the stars in a circle, with the number corresponding to the States actually admitted to the Confederacy. Thus, there would have been 7 stars from 4 March 1861 until 7 May 1861, when Virginia became the 8th Confederate State by Act of Congress. Thereafter, the number of stars continued to increase until Tennessee gained her seat as the 11th State on 2 July 1861. The number remained 11 through the summer, but increased when Missouri and Kentucky were admitted to the CSA by Acts of Congress approved 28 November 1861 and 10 December 1861, respectively.  

2nd National Confederate Flag
(1 May 1863 to 4 March 1865)

The second flag of the Confederate States of America, commonly known as the “STAINLESS BANNER”, was created by an Act of the Congress of the Confederate States, approved by the President on the 1st day of May, 1863. The Flag Act of 1863 describes the flag in the following language:

“The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the flag of the Confederate States shall be as follows: the field to be white, the length double the width of the flag, with the union, (now used as the battle flag,) to be a square of two thirds the width of the flag, having the ground red; thereon a broad saltier of blue, bordered with white, and emblazoned with white mullets or five pointed stars, corresponding in number to that of the Confederate States.”

3rd National Confederate Flag

The third and final flag of the Confederate States of America, was created by an Act of the Congress of the Confederate States (Second Congress, Session II), and approved by the President on the 4th day of March, 1865, four years to the day after the first raising of the STARS AND BARS in Montgomery.

The Flag Act of 1865 describes the flag in the following language: “The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the flag of the Confederate States shall be as follows: The width two-thirds of its length, with the union (now used as the battle flag) to be in width three-fifths of the width of the flag, and so proportioned as to leave the length of the field on the side of the union twice the width of the field below it; to have the ground red and a broad blue saltier thereon, bordered with white and emblazoned with mullets or five pointed stars, corresponding in number to that of the Confederate States; the field to be white, except the outer half from the union to be a red bar extending the width of the flag.”

Ensign of the CSS Virginia

The Navy Ensign

Navies have their own specific flags and flag terminology. The principal flag denoting nationality on any ship, whether naval or civilian is called the ensign.

CS Navy Ensign as prescribed by the Regulations of 26 May 1863.  The ensign of the Confederate States Navy was the same as the national flag, that pattern from 1863 to 1865 being the design known as the Stainless Banner. It was flown from the stern of a ship, usually from a gaff on ships rigged for sail, and on an ensign staff on steamers without sails and ironclad gunboats.
 
Twenty-five days after the Stainless Banner became the official Confederate flag, the Secretary of the Navy issued regulations governing navy ensigns. Rather than the 1:2 ratio officially prescribed for the national flag, the regulations called for the ensign to have a length one and one-half times the width of the ensign. In fact, the national flags actually made for the army corresponded to the proportions of the navy regulations. 

Like the flag as used on land, Stars and Bars navy ensigns are found with a variety of numbers of stars and patterns of arrangement. Navy ensigns will have from seven to thirteen stars. They are more likely than their land-bound counterparts to follow the official requirement that the stars be in a circle, though often that circle will surround a central star. There are, however, variations from the circular pattern. 

Jack of the CSS Atlanta

The Navy Jack

A jack is a small flag flown at the bow of a ship. It is not flown while the ship is at sea, but only when at port, or while entering or leaving a port. The staff from which a jack is flown is often removed when the ship is underway. It is said that this was to keep it clear of the forward field of fire in combat.

By tradition inherited from the Royal Navy, the jack of the US Navy is the union of the ensign. The CS Navy carried forward this tradition.  As a result, since in the 1861-1863 period the ensign was the Stars and Bars, the jack was a plain blue flag charged with white stars. Except for the number of stars, it was identical to the jack of the US Navy.
 
The 1863 jack was a rectangular version of the battleflag canton of the ensign. The 1863 jack, as a result, is similar in design to the Battle Flag used in the Army of Tennessee from late 1863 to 1865.
The only known surviving jack of this period is the one illustrated here  from the CSS Atlanta. It has only seven stars, and although on board the Atlanta when it was captured in June 1863, may date to an earlier period. Like the ensign, jacks in use in this period probably could be found with star numbers ranging from seven to thirteen.

Confederate Battleflag

The Echoes through time website is now updated and integrated with Facebook, along with the addition of this blog for the director, Steve Teeft.

©1997 Steven R. Teeft, all rights reserved

The FIFE clan starts with EDWARD Fife. Edward Fife was a native of Pennsylvania, who later moved to Winchester, VA then to Allegeney County, VA. It was there he married Miss Davis of South Carolina. They had 4 sons and 1 daughter. Edward and his son JOHN were veterans of the war of 1812.

His son THOMAS (the father of our subject) was born in Allegeny Co. in November 1800. Thomas later lived in Charleston in 1815 and became a carpenter’s apprentice. In 1836 Thomas purchased a farm of 700 acres in Putnam Co., VA In 1843 he became a very prominent contractor & builder and he was known to have built some of the best building in that part of the state.

Thomas married REBECCA C. (ESTILL) Fife. Rebecca was born Oct 29,1809. They had 4 children: Mary K, William E, Charles T and Julia A. Thomas died August 25,1865 and Rebecca passed on February 29, 1843.

WILLIAM ESTILL was born February 7,1834 in Charleston, Va. He was schooled at the old Mercer Academy, graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, Va in July 1855. Afterwards studied law and admitted to the bar in in 1857 (but never practiced) and lived with his father. In 1859 a call to arms was heard and militia companies were being formed all over the state, with the capture of John Brown and his raiders at Harpers Ferry, in fear of another upraising. On November 1,1859 – William was chosen Captain of the “Buffalo Guards” a militia company from Putnam County. Shortly after the guns were fired from Ft. Sumpter, Virginia Succeeded from the union, and the Buffalo Guards enlisted in the Confederate army on May 13,1861 were accepted into the Confederate service on July 1,1861, and 1st reported as a unorganized command known as the 3rd Kanawha Infantry, and was disbanded in late July 1861. There first action was at Scary Creek,Va in July 16,1861. The Buffalo Guards became Company A, of the 36th Virginia Infantry Regiment in August 1861, and fought their first battle at Cross Lanes,Va on August 26, 1861.

Captain Fife was slightly wounded in the battle. William was promoted to Major in 1863 and again promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in March 1864. Col. Fife was wounded in the head at Cedar Creek, Va on Oct.19,1864. The colonel returned to the regiment, and was present at the time the 36th Va Infantry disbanded at Christainsburg,Va in April 1865. William returned home & took a oath of allegance on June 20,1865.

In 1870 William Fife was elected president of the county court and reelected in 1874. We held thast postition for 8 years. William owned a good Kanawha river farm of some 350 acres in his post war years and was concidered a good farmer.

Colonel Fife was involved with the Confederate Veterans organization in his later years and held the post of Commander in the Camp Patton, camp #1 of the United Confederate Veterans (UCV) of Charleston,WV.

Colonel William Estill Fife was killed on the morning of July 4th,1891 in a train wreck, just a few miles south of Charleston on the Kanawha & Michigan Railroad.

William was buried on July 6th, his casket was drapped with the flag he served under, and was buried with the sword he carried during the great conflict. He was a devoted Christain and a free mason. William is resting in his families plot at Springhill Cemetery, overlooking the city of Charleston and the Kanawha river.

Sources:

• Files of Steve Teeft
• Burial of Col. William E Fife, unpublished source from Tom Fife.
• National Archives, record group 109, compiled service records of the Confederate soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Virginia. 36th Va Infantry. Microfilm M3324, rolls 821-831
• Confederate Veteran, 1893-1932
• WV state Archives in Charleston,WV