William Walter Leake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Walter Leake
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | April 22, 1833 |
| Died | January 20, 1912 (aged 78) |
| Resting place | Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery St. Francisville, Louisiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | attorney |
| Known for | Confederate Army officer |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret Mumford |
| Children | 11 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit |  1st Louisiana Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William Walter Leake (born April 22, 1833 – died January 20, 1912) was an important person in Louisiana history. He was an officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
After the war, he became a lawyer, a state senator, a judge, and even a bank president. He also helped start a newspaper. He is most remembered for a special event during the war, called "The Day the War Stopped."
Contents
Early Life and Learning
William Walter Leake was born in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, on April 22, 1833. He went to the Kentucky Military Institute and Centenary College of Louisiana.
After college, he studied law. In 1857, he passed his exams and became a lawyer. He started his law practice in St. Francisville, Louisiana. He also joined a group called the Freemasons in 1854.
His Time in the Civil War
When the Civil War began in April 1861, Leake joined the army. He became a captain. In September 1861, he was made captain of Company C in the First Louisiana Cavalry Regiment.
His regiment fought in battles, including the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862. During this time, some officers, including Leake, had concerns about their leader. They even tried to resign, but their resignations were not accepted.
In October 1862, Leake resigned again and went home. He then joined another group of cavalry in Louisiana. He served with them until the war ended.
After the War
After the war, Leake went back to being a lawyer in St. Francisville. He served in the Louisiana State Senate from 1880 to 1882. He also helped write the Louisiana Constitution in 1882.
From 1896 to 1904, he worked as a circuit court judge. This meant he heard cases in different courts. From 1906 until he died in 1912, he was the president of the People's Bank in St. Francisville. In 1892, Leake and his wife started a local newspaper called the True Democrat. It is now known as the St. Francisville Democrat.
"The Day the War Stopped"
In June 1863, while Captain Leake was home on leave, something amazing happened. A Union Navy officer died on his ship near St. Francisville. This officer, named John E. Hart, was also a Freemason.
Hart's second officer came ashore under a "flag of truce." This means he came peacefully, asking if any Masons nearby could help with a funeral. He was sent to Captain Leake, who was a leader in the local Masonic lodge.
Leake arranged for Hart to be buried at Grace Episcopal Church. A special truce was made for the funeral. Union officers came ashore to attend the service. Both Union and Confederate officers, who were all Masons, took part in the funeral on June 12, 1863.
For the rest of his life, Leake took care of Hart's grave. He would often decorate it with flowers. Leake was buried near Hart when he died. Today, a single marble stone marks both their graves. It was placed in 1955 to honor the idea of friendship among Masons, even during war.
Since 1999, there has been an event each year to remember this day. People re-enact the funeral, and family members of both Leake and Hart attend.
Family Life
William Walter Leake married Margaret Mumford on December 10, 1857. They had eleven children together.
He passed away on January 20, 1912. He was buried in the Grace Episcopal Church cemetery, close to where John E. Hart was buried.
