17 May

1SGT WILLIAM W. KENDALL
Co.A, 49th Indiana Infantry.
River Bridge, Miss.
17 May 1863

1lt (then First Sgt) Kendall was with one of lead regiments in the charge against. Confederate forces who were holding a well-fortified defensive position.

Nearly all the officers were shot down in the first rush of Union troops and all the officers of Kendall’s Company were killed or wounded in the action.

All of a sudden Kendal found himself in command of his company…

Kendall lead the attack but as his me approached the objective their way was blockedby a ten foot wide trench.

Kendall’s leaped the trench and found a pile of planks on the other side. He Quickly threw them one by one across the opening making a field expedient bridge.

He continued to lead him men in a charge on the enemy’s line.

ILt Kendall and his men captured several artillery pieces and took more Prisoners than he had men in his command.

The Lt made that last muster on 14 August 1920 and is buried at the Ames Chapel Cemetery, Abydel, Indiana.