William
Franklin
was born in York, Pennsylvania, on 27th February, 1823. He graduated
first in his class of 39 from West Point
in 1843. He fought in the Mexican War
where he won two brevets. A specialist engineer, Franklin supervised
several construction projects and taught the subject at the U.S. Military
Academy.
On the outbreak of the American Civil War
Franklin joined the Union Army and was
named colonel of the 12th Infantry. He took part in the battles at
Bull Run (June, 1861) and Antietam
(September, 1862). Franklin led the Left Grand Division at Fredericksburg
(November, 1862). Afterwards his performance at the battle was criticized
by General Ambrose Burnside and the
Committee on the Conduct of the War.
Franklin was wounded and captured at Sabine Cross Roads on 11th July,
1864 by a force led by General Jubal A. Early.
He later escaped but did not return to active service. In 1866 he
retired from the United States Army and
was appointed as vice-president of the Colt's Fire Arms Manufacturing
Company and over the next few years was employed by several companies
as a consulting engineer. William Franklin died in 1903.
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