William Kite

William Henry Hamilton "Ham" Kite (March 1842 - January 3, 1922) served as a corporal in Company I, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.

Personal life
William Kite was born in March 1842 in Carter County, Tennessee to Isaac and Elizabeth (Donathan) Kite. He married first Susannah Matheson (1837-1880) with whom he had at least six children. He married second Candace Cordelia Rainbolt (1851-1930); they had no children.

Civil War service
Kite enlisted as a private in Company I on September 22, 1863 in Washington County, Tennessee for a period of three years and mustered in November 8, 1863 at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. He was promoted to corporal on April 14, 1865 by order of Colonel Miller.

He is described as 20 years old, 5' 10" tall, fair complexion, hazel eyes, light hair, and by occupation a farmer.

Kite is listed as present for duty throughout his term of service for which muster roll records have survived. He was mistakenly dropped from the rolls as a deserter on July 10, 1864 and reduced to the ranks on August 31, 1864. He returned to the regiment on September 15, 1864, pardoned by order of Governor Andrew Johnson, and was restored to his rank on October 1, 1864.

Kite mustered out with the regiment on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville. He had last been paid to April 30, 1864, owed $60.90 to the government for clothing in kind or money advanced, had been paid a $25 bounty, and was owed a $75 bounty.

Post-war life
Kite applied for an invalid's pension on November 7, 1870.

In 1890 he found himself in some financial trouble due to not paying taxes and refusing to do so. He was sentenced to one month in jail and fined $100.

Kite was admitted to the Mountain Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Johnson City, Tennessee on September 21, 1908 and diagnosed with impaired hearing, cardiac hypertrophy, and varicose veins in both legs. He was discharged from the hospital on January 5, 1909. He died January 3, 1922; his grave has not been located. His wife applied for a widow's pension on January 28, 1922.