CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: W. M. KEE -  Smith County, TX 

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Submitted by Doris Peirce - ginlu@home.com 
24 October 2001 
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

W. M. KEE

W. M. Kee, of Tyler, was born July 7th, 1839, at Richmond, S.C., 
and removed to Texas in 1869, and settled in Smith county the 
following yer.  In March, 1861, enlisted in the 24th South Carolina 
Regiment and went to Charleston and saw active service at 
Charleston and Wilmington, N. C.  Here, at his request, and being 
anxious for a more active service, made an exchange with a member 
of the 6th South Carolina Regiment, of Gen. Jenkins' brigade, 
Hood's division and Longstreet's corps.  Young Kee joined his 
company, while the command was starting on a 200 mile tramp to 
Suffolk, and remained there until the spring when Gen. Lee made 
his famous campaign in Pennsylvania.  His brigade was detailed 
to defend Richmond and Petersburg.  His command was in the battle 
of Chickamauga where he displayed the gallantry of a South 
Carolinean.  He was in several engagements, including Rackoon 
Creek and Lookout Mountain.  Longstreet's corps returned to 
Virginia where it participated in the battles raged furiously 
until the surrender at Appomattox, where he stacked his arms and 
was paroled.  It was a fact that he never missed a battle or 
skirmish in which his regiment fought and never received a furlough 
during the four years active service.  Was slightly wounded twice,
but remained with his company without missing roll call.  In 
September 1869, he was married to Mrs. E. G. Mahan, a daughter of  
Col. J. M. Whitaker, a leading citizen and planter of Tyler.  They 
have raised several children and the family occupies prominent 
positions in business, church and society.  Mr. Kee is a prominent 
fruit and berry grower of East Texas.