CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: William A. Shaw - Dallas County, TX *********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by Mary Love Berryman - marylove@tyler.net 7 June 2002 *********************************************************** TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson W. D. SHAW. William A. Shaw, of Dallas, was born in Sevier county, Arkansas, in 1844, and when Texas seceded his home was in Brisco county. Being so enthusiastic he ran away from home and joined Captain Arnett's company, in which after a few months service in a camp of instruction, his mother, on ac­count of his youth secured his discharge; but in 1862 he en­listed in company H of Gen. Tom Green's old regiment until be was transferred to a company of scouts commanded by Captain L. H. McNelley, and remained there until the sur­render 1865. The principal battles in which this gallant young Confederate participated were Camp Bisland, Franklin, Carencro, La Fouche, Fort Butler, Fordoche Bayou, Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, where he displayed splendid gallant­ry, though often engaged in fights and skirmishes he escaped with only two slight wounds. He was with Gen. Tom Green and shared the rough and hard edges of a soldiers life until the surrender came in 1865. As a journalist Farmer Shaw has made a brilliant success, besides his splendid record as a member of the Texas legislature. He is a forceful and bril­liant writer and moves along in the front ranks as a man of learning and fine capacity. Of sterling worth and vigorous manhood he battles earnesly for what he conceives to be right and stands by the principles he advocates with flowing words of candor and honesty. As a Confederate soldier he was to be found at the front, and in the times of peace he can throw an invective or parry a thrust with forensic force in public debate when the occasion demands it. A man of fine personality, pleasing address, and very popular with the people.