William W. Etter, Old 19th., Tennessee Infantry.

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Etter, William W., Lt.-Died:Dec.31,1897 Palarm, Ark.-

Service Unit:19thTenn.Inf.-Confederate Veteran Magazine:v.6, p.277-Text:Col.C.W.Heiskell, of Memphis, Tenn., who commanded the 19th Tenn. Regt., pays loyal tribute to his comrade and subordinate officer, Lieut. W.W.Etter, who was assassinated at Palarm, Ark. on the last day of Dec.1897, fifty nine years old. He states that Etter's father was a good farmer, a man of high character and good sense; his mother of woman of sterling virtues. At the beginning of the great war William Etter enlisted in the 19th Tenn.Inf., and, by his deportment, was promoted from the ranks to second in command of his company. He was a commander much of the time until the surrender at High Point, N.C. He engaged in battles when almost too feeble to stand on his feet, and after the war he was greatly afflicted with rheumatism. Col. Heiskell pays noble tribute to his knightly deeds in service and to his unselfish devotion to his sisters until his death. His care even in his advancing years was not for himself, but for them, in conformity with his dying request of his father: "William, you must take care of your sisters." After the war he lived in Memphis and in Arkansas.

From the 19th., Regimental History.

P. 145., Lieut. W. W. Etter, of Co. K, succeeded in getting upon the works and jumped down among the Federals. They took off their hats to him, but did not take him prisoner, when he, too, reached the brick smoke house, and remained unhurt until the Federals retreated, and he rejoined the regiment.

P. 187., Lieut. W. W. Etter, (Co. K,) whose courage was always conspicuous, jumped to his feet and said, "Colonel will go." The Colonel replied, "Lieut. I want privates not officers for this duty." Well," said the Lieut, "consider me a private for this occasion." So he with others” for the volunteers were more than were wanted.