William Henry Palmer

William Henry Palmer (October 9, 1835 – July 14, 1926) was an officer in the Confederate States Army, serving in the Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War.

Early life William H. Palmer was born on October 9, 1835, in the Monte Maria Convent on 22nd and Grace Streets in Church Hill, Richmond, Virginia, to Elizabeth (née Enders) and William Palmer. His ancestors were settlers in Pennsylvania and his ancestor Jacob Ege built the Old Stone House in Richmond. His father was a Richmond banker and vice president of the Richmond and Danville Railroad Company. At the age of 15, he worked for his father and later worked on the steamship Jamestown on its coastwise service for the Old Dominion Steamship Company.

Career On April 21, 1861, Palmer enlisted as a private with Company F of the 1st Virginia Infantry Regiment in the Civil War. On May 24, 1861, he was promoted to first lieutenant and served in the Battle of Blackburn's Ford in 1861. He was present at the First Battle of Bull Run and afterward, in August 1861, he became an adjutant of the regiment. In October 1861, he was named assistant adjutant general of the first brigade in Longstreet's Division, serving under then brigadier general A. P. Hill. After Lewis B. Williams Jr. was shot at the Battle of Williamsburg in May 1862, he was given command of the First Virginia and promoted to major. He was wounded in his right arm at Williamsburg. General Robert E. Lee asked Palmer to reform the First Virginia in August 1862, and the regiment fought in the Battle of Cedar Mountain and the Second Battle of Bull Run. In October 1862, he detached from First Virginia and served as a staff officer during the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg under General A. P. Hill. He was president of the Virginia Fire and Mutual Insurance Company. He was a member of the executive committee of the Virginia Historical Society for 30 years. They had six children, Leila, Mrs. Frank Christian, Mrs. W. Ormond Young, Edwin A., William H. Jr. and Mrs. Robert Preston Means. He was senior warden of Grace Episcopal Church.

Palmer died on July 14, 1926, at his home at 211 West Franklin Street in Richmond. He was buried in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery.