William Henry Keiningham

Known as Peter or Pete, he was a 19 year old clerk in Richmond when he enlisted there as 3rd Sergeant, Company D, First Virginia Infantry on 21 April 1861. He was promoted to 2nd Sergeant on 2 September and elected junior 2nd Lieutenant at the reorganization of 26 April 1862. He was away from his Company as acting Commissary in July and August 1862. He was wounded at Seven Pines, VA on 30 May.

He was wounded in action at Turner's Gap on South Mountain on 14 September 1862.

He was wounded at Gettysburg, PA on 3 July 1863 and captured there on the 5th. He was promoted to First Lieutenant effective 3 July 1863. He was sent to the DeCamp General Hospital in New York Harbor and transferred to the prison at Johnson's Island, OH on 18 September 1863. He was sent to Point Lookout, MD on 21 March 1865 for exchange but was at Fort Delaware on 28 April. He was released after taking an oath of allegiance on 12 June 1865.

He was an engraver, printer, and lithographer in Richmond, VA.

His service from his Compiled Service Records (CSRs), online from fold3, and from the War History,1 which has his nickname as Peter. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860. His nickname "Pete" from the diary of his prison messmate John Dooley (in John Dooley, Confederate Soldier: His War Journal, University Alabama Press, 2005). His post-war occupation from Hill's Richmond City Directory of 1876-77. His gravesite is on Findagrave.

He married Mary Ellen Roy (c. 1843-) in Richmond in June 1866. He divorced her and married Sarah C. Sealing (c. 1852-) in February 1894.

He carried a miniature version (16.5"x17") of the CS Second National flag in his pocket and it was taken from him when he was captured at Gettysburg. It was returned when he was discharged and is now in the Museum of the Confederacy (White House of the Confederacy) in Richmond (object #0985.13.01151).

07/04/1842; Henrico County, VA

02/13/1899; burial in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA