Ray County, Missouri Obituaries - Robert Jones Williams died 16 Feb 1902 The Richmond Missourian February 20, 1902 printed on the front page: MUSTERED Out of Lif's Long and Eventful Campaign--Major Robert J. Williams Died Sunday and Buried Tuesday AT THE FAMILY CEMETERY. Major R. J. Williams, one of Ray County's best men, died Sunday night, February 16, 1902 just at midnight, at his home, Swanwick, Missouri Major Robert J. Williams was born in Prince Edward County, VA, in 1825, and came to Missouri in 1836 and settled in Ray County, near where the R & L Junction is situated. Afterwards moving to the late residence near Swanwick. He was in Price's regiment in the war with Mexico in 1845-1847; went to California in 1850 and returned to Missouri in 1852. When the war in "Bleeding Kansas" broke out he joined the Souther forces and was in the battle of Osawatamie and other skirmishes that occurred between contending forces in that memorable struggle. He raised a company of neighbor boys and joined General Price at Springfield, MO in December 1861 and organized the first company (A) in the 3rd Missouri Confederate Infantry, and by promotion became Major of the regiment in Mississippi. He was in the balles of Pea Ridge, Iuka, Corinth, Port Gibson, Baker's Creek and siege of Vicksburg. He went into Vicksburg with 40 men and came out with only 15 at the surrender. It was during this siege that he came into possession of a mule, known as "old Jule". When the confederates were paroled after the surrender of Vicksburg, they first went to Enterprise, Miss., and thence to parole Camp at Demopolis, AL. From this time to the close of the war, Jule was one of the team that hauled the Major's mess wagon. The Major took part in the Georgia campaign >from near Rome, GA, until the battle of Alatoona where he was severely woundeed and was compelled to leave the army. He returned to it at Mobile AL. By some fortunate accident the major was not captured with the brigade, and thus missed the glory of beign taken to Ship Is. to be guarded by a regiment of brutal negroes commanded by a colonel of the same character. The battle of Fort Blakely closed the war record of the first Missouri Brigade, Confederate State of America. After the first surrender Major Williams and Capt. Obe Taylor, with Jule and another mule for a team went to Monroe County, MI, remained there for some time, until learning they could come home without molestation, they hitched up Jule and her mate and drove them to Ray County Missouri. The Major took Jule to his farm near Richmond where she did faithful service until a few years ago, when overcome by the infirmatives of age, the Major feeling himself able and greatful for her long and faithful service kindly placed her on the retired list as one of the few Confederates that draws a pension in Missouri. Shw was twice wounded during the siege of Vicksburg with minnie balls, one of which remained in her body until a few years ago, when it worked it s way through and fell out. This old mule was tenderly cared for by her grateful owner until her death. THE MAJOR'S FUNERAL The burial was conducted Today at ? o'clock from the family residence at Swanwick. Dr. T. H. B Anderson in charge of the last rites. Masonic Lodge No. 57 A. F. & A. M of Richmond of which he was an honored member had supervision of the services. Thus passes away one of earth's noblemen, a man who was the soul of honor, as gentle as a child, as firm as a royal oak, as honest as the stars!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Shirley Brungardt USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or their legal representative, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------