Born 6/28/1818 at Mount Sterling, KY, Williams graduated from Miami University (Oxford, OH) in 1839.
He became a lawyer in Bourbon County, KY. He enlisted in the Mexican American War and was commissioned as
a Captain with the 6th U.S. Infantry. He later became a Colonel with the 4th KY Volunteers and earned the
nickname, "Cerro Gordo Williams" for gallantry that he displayed in the Battle of Cerro Gordo. Although
opposed to secession, he resigned is position as a U.S. Congressman and was commissioned as a Colonel with
the 5th KY Infantry. He accepted a promotion to Brigadier General and was assigned to command the Department
of Southwestern Virginia in 1863. He later transferred to Georgia and commanded a cavalry regiment under
General Joseph Wheeler. After the war, he returned to Winchester, KY. He was later elected as a Democrat
to represent Kentucky in the U.S. Senate and served from 1879 to 1885. #JS1065=$475.00