William Henry Luse

Son of wealthy planter Stephen Lawrence Luse (1806-1885), in 1860 he was a 22 year old lawyer living with his parents and two siblings in Yazoo County, MS. He was Captain of the Benton Rifles, and mustered into Confederate service with them as Company B, 18th Mississippi Infantry on their organization at Benton, MS on 27 April 1861. He was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment during the April 1862 reorganization of the Army and on 1 July 1862 Colonel Griffin was wounded and Lieutenant-Colonel Luse took command of the Regiment at Malvern Hill, VA.

He and the regiment fought on Maryland Heights near Harpers Ferry on 12 and 13 September 1862. They reached the field at Sharpsburg "after the battle had been a few hours in progress" on 17 September.

"Major Campbell, commanding the regiment, was seriously wounded while nobly leading his men. Lieut. Col. Luse and Colonel Humphreys [21st Mississippi Infantry] reached the field just as the battle was closing and their presence cheered and animated the whole brigade."
(from Rowland)

At Chancellorsville (3 May 1863), LCol French of the 77th New York Infantry reported:

"The regiment ... scaled the heights at the right of our line, occupying the earthworks, taking about 50 prisoners, among whom were Lieutenant-Colonel [William H.] Luse and 2 captains, and 1 stand of colors, belonging to the Eighteenth Mississippi."
(from ORs, Vol 25, Pt 1 )

By 1880 he was a lawyer in Midway, MS, but was farming in Yazoo County by 1900.

His military details from Rowland1 and his photograph is from the Library of Congress.2 Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860, 1880, and 1900. His gravesite is on Findagrave.

He married Mary Eliza King (1842-1912) in 1861 and they had 9 children.

09/23/1837 in MS

03/25/1904; in MS; burial in Bethel Black Jack Baptist Church Cemetery, Vaughan, MS