Sons of Leitrim
Hackett
William
Soldier Profile: William Hackett
Co. A, 10th Louisiana Infantry (CSA)
William served in the 10th Louisiana Infantry, a unit known for its high concentration of Irish and European immigrants. While many of his countrymen fought for the Union in the Irish Brigade, William was part of the "Lee’s Tigers" of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
Early Life and Emigration
Born: Circa 1837–1839 in County Leitrim, Ireland.
Emigration: While his exact arrival date is unknown, by the early 1860s, William had established himself in the vibrant Irish community of New Orleans.
Residence: Records list his home as New Orleans, Louisiana, a city that was a major destination for Irish immigrants due to its busy shipping trade.
Military Service: "For the War"
William was an early volunteer for the Southern cause, enlisting at Camp Moore, Louisiana, on July 1, 1861.
The 10th Louisiana: William committed to serve for the "length of the war."
Service Record: Though his unit fought in nearly every major battle in the East, his engagement sheets show he was absent for many of the major conflicts. However, a surviving letter from February 1864 indicates he was with the army at Culpeper, Virginia, where he was sent $100—a significant sum for a soldier at the time.
Capture and the "Punch Bowl"
William’s combat service ended during the brutal Overland Campaign in the spring of 1864.
Captured at Spotsylvania: On May 12, 1864, William was taken prisoner by Union forces probably during the desperate fighting at the "Bloody Angle" where Union forces captured thousands of Confederate prisoners.
The Punch Bowl: He was first held at Belle Plain, Virginia. The prison was located in a natural depression near the Potomac Creek known as the "Punch Bowl." This was a temporary, makeshift holding pen where nearly 8,000 Confederates were crowded together with minimal shelter or food.
Elmira (Hellmira): On July 25, 1864, he was transferred to Elmira Prison in New York. Known as one of the deadliest Union camps, Elmira had just been converted for POWs. William survived nearly a year in the harsh upstate New York climate.
Later Life and Legacy
Following the Confederate surrender, William swore an Oath of Allegiance to the United States on May 19, 1865, and was released to return home to Louisiana.
Death: William lived a long life, witnessing the turn of the century and the slow rebuilding of the South. He died on March 12, 1912, at approximately 75 years of age.
Final Resting Place: He is buried in a family vault in the prestigious Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, a location famous for its ornate funerary architecture and as the final resting place of many prominent Louisianians.
Service Timeline
Date Event Location
July 1, 1861 Enlisted "For the War" Camp Moore, LA
July 22, 1861 Mustered into 10th Louisiana Camp Moore, LA
Feb 18, 1864 Stationed with Army Culpeper, VA
May 12, 1864 Captured in Battle Spotsylvania, VA
May 1864 Imprisoned at "Punch Bowl" Belle Plain, VA
July 28, 1864 Arrived at Prison Camp Elmira, NY
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