William Johnston McGill was a Union Soldier in the War of the Rebellion. He enlisted May 11, 1861, at Meadville, Pa., in Company F, Ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, Captain Samuel B. Dick, and was honorably discharged May 11, 1864.
He was severely wounded at the battle of Drainsville, Pa., Dec. 20, 1861. The missile that struck him was a large, round ball, shot from a smoothbore musket, and it penetrated the deep muscles of the left side of the abdomen. The wound healed in time and he returned to the command and served out his term of enlistment, but he never recovered from the peculiar effects of that injury.
Dr. Floyd, after a most thorough examination, reported that the bullet had penetrated a sufficient depth to injure the walls of abdomen, causing an adhesion of the peritoneum that interfered with the peristaltic action of the bowels, causing intestinal troubles of a serious character.
Dr. Noah N. Sanborn, of Bayonne, N. J., his attending physician, certified that the cause of his death was consumption of the bowels. After discharge Mr. W. J. went to the Oil Creek country, where he married. When the Standard Oil company located their great plant at Bayonne, N. J., he went along as a boss trimmer, taking his family with him.
His old comrades and associates in the army have only good words to say when his name is mentioned.
Currently a resident of Burke, Virginia - I'm originally from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have been a student of the Pennsylvania Reserves since 1997 and thoroughly enjoy telling their story. By trade I'm a former IT Professional but presently working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service.
