The Unquenchable Legend

By the time old Walter Williams passed away at a self-reckoned 117 years, just about every official in Texas knew that he had spun a tall tale about his days as foragemaster of Hood's Texas Brigade in the War Between the States. But for a long time they had believed him and showered him with Confederate honors; then, when a too-enterprising reporter proved in the records that Williams could have been only five years old when Hood was marching, they decided to go right on believing just the same. Last week flags on U.S. Government buildings, ships and embassies flew at half staff by presidential proclamation to honor the death of the last of the Civil War veterans. And Texas rolled without a hitch into the carefully preplanned ceremonies of "Project Drummer Boy."

First Williams' Confederate flag-draped bier was placed in the Houston Civil Courts Building for three days, and more than 5,000 filed by to gaze at the frail, wrinkled figure, resplendent in the grey-and-gold uniform of an honorary Confederate general. At a public ceremony in the Houston Music Hall, Texas Governor Price Daniel and representatives of ten other Southern Governors, plus federal and military dignitaries, heard the fife-and-drum corps play his favorites: Dixie, When Johnny Comes Marching Home and The Yellow Rose of Texas. Said U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough: "He was the last warrior of a lost cause, the sole remaining soldier of a whole civilization. The combatants are all gone now, but we stand in awe of the bravery of both sides."

Next day 25,000 spectators lined Houston's Main Street as the coffin was borne to the Baptist Church where blue and grey honor guards stood shoulder to shoulder. Said the Rev. Mr. Stephen McKenney: "He and all his comrades have kissed the lips of immortality." Then a motorcade formed to escort him 125 miles to family burial grounds at Franklin. Texas. Soon the police-escorted procession was a mile long. Texans with heads uncovered stood by the roadside. Finally, at the Mount Pleasant Baptist cemetery, after three rifle volleys and Taps by a single bugler had echoed across the valley, the casket was lowered into the grave. Williams left 42 grandchildren, 74 great-grandchildren, 64 great-great-grandchildren and 59 great-great-great-grandchildren. He also left a cherished legend: last week Houston Mayor Lewis Cutrer proclaimed the day of his death as Walter Williams Civil War Memorial Day.

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