behind AotW

William S. “Billie” Shepherd, of Suffolk, Virginia moved to Murfreesboro in Hertford County, North Carolina a few months before the War. He volunteered for service at his new home and was commissioned First Lieutenant, Company F of the First North Carolina Infantry in May 1861.

He served with them in North Carolina then went “up north” as they joined the Army of Northern Virginia in June 1862. Sadly, Lieutenant Shepherd was killed by a bullet to the heart in action at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862.

The Suffolk Nansemond Historical Society has a trove of information and pictures about him and his family, so – where I’m usually ecstatic to just see a face – with Shepherd I’m overwhelmed by what’s available.

Starting with a painted portrait done when he was a very small boy. And then there’s the touching portrait (c. 1859) with his new wife Diana. Finally, a fine shot in his uniform.

It truly doesn’t get any better than this.