William Jenkins (Company C)

William D. Jenkins (August 18, 1826 - May 16, 1887) served as a captain in Company C, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.

Personal life
William Jenkins was born August 18, 1826 in Carter County, Tennessee to James and Catherine (Bolling) Jenkins. He married Elizabeth Jane Snider (1836-1907) with whom he had at least one child.

Bridge Burner
Jenkins was an active participant in the bridge burnings in 1861. His activities and whereabouts after the Carter County Rebellion have not been found.

Civil War service
Jenkins enlisted in Company C on September 24, 1863 in Knoxville, Tennessee for a period of three years and was elected captain. He mustered in November 3, 1863 at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee.

Although he is listed as present for duty for which muster roll records have survived, Jenkins suffered from frequent illnesses. He is listed as present but sick for May, June, November, and December 1864. He was admitted to the Officer's Hospital at Knoxville on December 15, 1864 with chronic bronchitis. That same day he requested a leave of absence for 30 days to visit his home and family in Carter County; the examining surgeon forwarded his request with a change to 20 days leave.

Jenkins submitted his resignation on January 21, 1865. He requested and received a leave of absence for 20 days on January 22, 1865; this was common practice as an officer awaited notice of whether or not a resignation was accepted. He was honorably discharged to date from January 21, 1865 under Special Orders No. 57, War Department, Adjutant General's Office dated February 4, 1865. He was succeeded in command by his brother David Jenkins who was serving as 1st lieutenant.

Later life
After the war Jenkins worked as an agent and supervisor in the iron mining industry. He applied for an invalid's pension on August 10, 1883.

He died May 16, 1887 in Johnson City, Tennessee and is buried in Ritchie Cemetery in Elizabethon, Tennessee. His wife applied for a widow's pension on June 16, 1887.