William H. Withington

American general

William H. Withington

Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 6th district
In office
1891–1892
Preceded by| Adelbert R. Chapman
Succeeded by| Marden Sabin
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the Jackson County 2nd district
In office
1873–1874
Preceded by| Frank L. Smith
Succeeded by| James C. Wood
Personal details
Born|

William Herbert Withington

(1835-02-01)February 1, 1835
Dorchester, Massachusetts, US
Died| June 27, 1903(1903-06-27) (aged 68)
Jackson, Michigan, US
Political party| Republican
Occupation| Military officer, manufacturer, politician
Signature|

William Herbert Withington (February 1, 1835 - June 27, 1903) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War.

## Biography

[edit]

William H. Withington was born at Dorchester, Massachusetts on February 1, 1835.[1] He moved to Michigan and became a farm implement manufacturer.[1]

In May 1861, Withington enlisted as a captain of the 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Months).[1] He was wounded and captured at the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861.[1] He was exchanged and mustered out of the volunteers on January 31, 1862.[1] He was appointed colonel of the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment on August 11, 1862.[1] He resigned from the volunteers on March 31, 1863.[1]

On December 3, 1867, President Andrew Johnson nominated Withington for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, for his service at the Battle of South Mountain, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment on February 14, 1868.[2]

After the war, Withington founded the Withington and Cooley Manufacturing Company, a maker of agricultural implements, in Jackson, Michigan.[3] Withington served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1873 to 1874 representing the Jackson County 2nd district, and the Michigan State Senate from 1891 to 1892 representing the 6th district.[4] He was a Republican.[5]

On January 7, 1895, Withington was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the First Battle of Bull Run where he remained on the field and took command from his wounded superior officer, Orlando B. Willcox, until he too was wounded and eventually captured.

Withington was a companion of the Michigan Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

William H. Withington died at Jackson, Michigan, June 27, 1903.[1] He was buried at Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan.[1]

## See also

[edit]

* Biography portal
* American Civil War portal

* List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: T–Z
* List of American Civil War brevet generals (Union)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 978-0-8047-3641-1. p. 578.
2. ^ Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 978-0-8047-3641-1. p. 760.
3. ^ "Descendants of George Dyer of Dorchester, Mass". Retrieved April 15, 2012.
4. ^ The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. Vol. XVII. James T. White & Company. 1920. p. 198. Retrieved January 1, 2021 - via Google Books.
5. ^ "Legislator Details - William Herbert Withington". Library of Michigan. Retrieved October 19, 2023.

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