----Source: 1891 History of Clark & Jackson Co., Wis., pg. 174

WILLIAM DOWS (aka DOUSE), who resides on a farm in section 21, Grant Township, was born in Winslow, Maine, June 16, 1837. He received a fair education in his Native State, and came West in 1861. He was married in Salem, Massachusetts, to an Irish lady, Miss Ann Duffa, by whom he has one child, Nellie M., who has been liberally educated in the district schools, and is married to Mr. W. W. Page.

Mr. Douse has been a hard-working man all his life. He was engaged in farming prior to his enlistment in the army, and after his return he continued that occupation, which he has since followed. During the war he served in Company A., Eighteenth Wisconsin Infantry was n the battle of Kingston and in the campaign through North Carolina and Virginia. He was honorably discharged in 1865. Mr. Douse affiliates with the Republican Party.

Military Notes

William Dow's 18th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was organized in October, 1861 and mustered out July 18, 1865.  4 Officers died of disease or accident and 52 enlisted soldiers were killed or mortally wounded.

His Infantry Officers were:  Cols., James S. Alban, Gabriel Bouck, Charles H. Jackson, Lieut.-Cols., Samuel W. Beall, Charles H. Jackson, James P. Millard, Majs., Josiah W. Crane, Charles H. Jackson James P. Millard Joseph W. Roberts.

Other Soldiers With Clark County Ties Who Served in this Company

Collier, George--Cemetery

Comstock, Charles--Cemetery

Craig, George Washington--Cemetery

Davis, Benjamin--Veteran's Index

Slocomb, Charles--Cemetery

Sterling, John A--Cemetery

Whipple, Henry--Veteran's Index

This company left Wisconsin March 30, 1862 for Pittsburg Landing and reached it on April 5th.

The next morning, with absolutely no instruction in the manual of arms and but little drill, it was ordered to check the enemy's advance at Shiloh. It fought bravely, losing 24 killed, 82 wounded and 174 prisoners. "Many regiments may well covet the impressions which the 18th Wis. left of personal bravery heroic daring and determined endurance," said Gov. Harvey.

Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee

It took part in the siege of Corinth and then encamped at Corinth; and Bolivar until Sept. 17, when it was ordered to Iuka to reinforce Rosecrans, but was immediately returned to the defense of Corinth which was threatened.

On Oct. 1, it met the advance of Price and Van Dorn and fell back to the protection of Smith's bridge the following day. On the 3d, the enemy appearing in force, the regiment burned the bridge, rejoined its brigade at the railroad, and retained its position until overwhelming numbers compelled it to fall back.

It joined in pursuit of the enemy after the battle of Corinth, and on Nov. 2 proceeded to Grand Junction. In the movement southward it went to Holly Springs, then back to Grand Junction, thence to Moscow, Tenn., and Memphis, and from there by boat to Young's point, La., where it remained until Feb. 9, 1863.

In the advance upon Vicksburg it took position in the battle of Champion's Hill, and reached Vicksburg on May 20. It deployed as sharpshooters to cover the assault on the 22nd and on June 4 went into the trenches where it remained until the surrender.

It was then on guard duty until Sept. 11, when it was sent to Memphis, thence to Corinth and to Chattanooga, reaching the latter place Nov. 19. It joined in the attack on Missionary Ridge and was on guard duty at Bridgeport, Ala., during the greater part of December.

It went to Huntsville on Dec. 25, remained there until May 1 1864, then went to Whitesburg for guard duty until June 19, and was in camp, garrison and guard duty in Georgia and Tennessee until September. In October it aided in the defense of Allatoona against repeated assaults of a superior force.

A furlough was granted reenlisted veterans on Nov. 12, and the recruits and non-veterans were temporarily assigned to the 93rd IL, which accompanied Sherman's army to Savannah. The veterans were ordered to Nashville, reaching there Jan. 11, 1865, and were then sent to New Berne, N. C., where they encamped until the last of March, when they joined Sherman at Goldsboro and took part in the movement to Richmond.

The regiment participated in the grand review at Washington and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 18, 1865. Its original strength was 962 Gain by recruits, 226, draft, 271; veteran reenlistments, 178; total, 1,637. Losses by death, 220; missing 78; desertion, 208, transfer, 23; discharge. 265; mustered out, 843.

Sources: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 56, Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War.