Alpheus S. Williams entered the war early, trained volunteers, and served from First Bull Run through the Peninsula and Shenandoah campaigns. Under Nathaniel Banks he followed orders effectively during the struggle against Stonewall Jackson even when the wider force was outmanoeuvred. He later served in the Army of Virginia and briefly exercised corps command after Sharpsburg, but repeatedly returned to divisional responsibility. His performance appears stronger than his promotion record suggests. Slocum and Sherman finally recognised how to use his energy, placing the Twentieth Corps on the central drive toward Savannah. That history explains why this officer received the march's fastest and most direct route.
Notable Point · 57:37-1:02:14
Alpheus Williams finds the command suited to his energy
Williams's long path from eastern campaigns to the Twentieth Corps shows how a capable division commander could be repeatedly overlooked before finding the right senior team.