William Dempsey

William Henry Harrison Dempsey (May 15, 1845 - November 6, 1914) served as a corporal in Company H, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.



Personal life
William Dempsey was born May 15, 1845 in Carter County, Tennessee to Nathan and Melvina (Thompson) Dempsey. He married Susan E. Shell (1847-1923) with whom he had nine children.

Civil War service
Dempsey enlisted as a private in Company H on September 24, 1863 in Carter County for a period of three years and mustered in October 28, 1863 at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. He was appointed corporal on June 6, 1865. His brother Larkin also served as a private in Company H.

He is described as 18 years old, 5' 10" tall, fair complexion, blue eyes, dark hair, and by occupation a farmer.

Dempsey is listed as present for duty throughout his term of service for which muster roll records have survived, except for a furlough which he received on June 26, 1865 for an unspecified number of days. In November 1864 he was "on duty at the corrals."

Dempsey mustered out with the regiment on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville. He had last been paid to August 31, 1864, was owed $9.88 from the government for clothing, had been paid a $25 bounty, and was owed a $75 bounty.

Post-war life
Dempsey applied for an invalid's pension on February 21, 1883. He died November 6, 1914 in Carter County and is buried at Dempsey Cemetery in Carter County. His wife applied for a widow's pension on November 27, 1914.