William J. Spruill

Birth Date: 

Died:            August 16, 1917

Spouse:      

Regimental History:

45th Infantry Regiment was organized at Auburn, Alabama, in may, 1862. Companies that made up the unit were from the counties of Barbour, Randolph, Lowndes, Macon, and Russell. It was immediately sent to Mississippi and at Tupelo suffered from camp diseases. Later it moved to Kentucky, fought at Perryville under General Walthall, then was assigned to General Wood's, Lowrey's, and Shelley's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. The 45th participated in the difficult campaigns of the army from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, was with Hood in Tennessee, and ended the war in North Carolina. It was organized with 750 men, reported 91 casualties at Murfreesboro and 117 at Chickamauga, and totaled 366 effectives and 309 arms in December, 1863. The regiment lost 27 killed, 72 wounded, and 32 missing at the Battle of Atlanta and was almost annihilated at Franklin. Only a remnant surrendered on April 26, 1865. The field officers were Colonels Ephraim B. Breedlove, James G. Gilchrist, William S. Goodwyn, and Harris D. Lampley; Lieutenant Colonel Robert H. Abercrombie; and Major George C. Freeman.