PVT William Henry Athey

PVT William Henry Athey was born 18 Nov 1836 in Frederick County, Virginia. He was the oldest of the 4 children of Elisha or Elias J. and Emily (Ritter) Athey. Emily died in August 1845 and William's father married Emily's sister Alsinda before the year ended. Elisha and Alsinda would have 5 children together. His father was a weaver and William was working at the trade by the time he was 15-years old. In 1860 his father was working as a day laborer although he would return to weaving after the war. William was living with his grandmother, Martha Ritter, near Berryville, Virginia and also working as a laborer, probably at a variety of available jobs. 

Before BG Jackson began his valley campaign he moved to Winchester in an attempt to engage BG Banks forces but Banks would not engage. While the Confederate forces were in Winchester, William enlisted in A Company 5th Virginia Infantry on 11 Mar 1862. He then fought with the unit at the first battle of Kernstown on 23 Mar 1862 which he survived apparently without injury. However, the newly enlisted soldier fell ill and was evacuated to a hospital in Lynchburg. He died there of typhoid fever on 23 Apr 1862 just 42-days after enlisting. 

Like many of the soldiers who died in Lynchburg hospitals, PVT Athey is buried in the Lynchburg City Cemetery.

Brother, John Robert Athey, served as a PVT in I Company 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment (in the same, Stonewall Brigade) and died of disease on 28 Apr 1862 in Lynchburg, Virginia and is also buried in the City Cemetery.