Biography of William M. Wadley

Compiled from various sources.

 Entries in blue are references. "Biography" refers to William Morrill Wadley by his daughter Sarah Lois Wadley.

   William Wadley was born November 12, 1813 in Brentwood, New Hampshire. He became a blacksmith and, at age twenty, moved to Savannah, Georgia. He worked for six years on Cockspur Island, building Fort Pulaski under the direction of Robert E. Lee. He went from blacksmith to the superintendent of the public works on the island during that time. He then built a bridge over the Savannah River and the Ogeechee canal, at Savannah. Next, he built a railroad bridge over the Oconee River for the Georgia Central Railroad, completing it in 1844 after three years' work. From 1844 to 1849, he was Road Master for the Georgia Central RR, then Superintendent from 1849 to 1851. He became Superintendent of the Western & Atlantic Railroad in 1852, then returned to the Georgia Central RR in the same capacity, but with increased authority, in 1853. In 1856, he was an officer in the Union Society (a one hundred year old benevolent organization); Frederick W. Sims was also an officer at the same time. In 1858, Wadley became Superintendent of the New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern Railroad. In 1859 and 1860, he was the Superintendent of the construction of the Southern (of Mississippi) Railroad and then moved to the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas Railroad from 1860 to 1861. After the war, Wadley returned to Georgia and became President of the Central (of Georgia) Railroad, from 1866 until his death in 1882. Wadley married Rebecca Everingham in 1840; they had nine children.
William Morrill Wadley -- Colonel & Assistant Adjutant General
January 1, 1861 Superintendent, Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas RR
November, 1861 Relieved Charles G. Young as President of Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas RR. Retained his position as Superintendent {Biography}
March, 1862 Went to Richmond to get aid from the government to finish the remaining 40 miles of the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas RR. Was not successful. {Biography}
November 29, 1862 Offered an appointment as Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General for railroad transportation matters
December 1, 1862 Accepted the offered appointment
December 3, 1862 Appointed Colonel in the Adjutant General's department and assigned to superintending and directing transportation for the government on all the railroads of the Confederacy. 
OR Series 4, Vol. 2, Page 225
OR Series 4, Vol. 2, Page 295
December, 1862 Called for a meeting of all railroad Presidents and Superintendent in Augusta, Ga. on December 15
NP, KD 12-12-62
January 6, 1863 Purchased 2 engines and some cars from the Central (of Georgia) RR
January 22, 1863 Appointed as the railroad representative to the Iron Commission. 
OR Series 4, Vol. 2, Page 365
February 2, 1863 In Raleigh, ordered Cap. Sharp to close the Confederate Locomotive Shops there
Capt. Sharp's Diary
February 11, 1863 Confirmed as being in charge of railroad transportation in the West
NP, VW 2-11-63
February 16, 1863 Made recommendations regarding a Charleston & Savannah RR bill
NA, C&S 2-16-63
March 23-26, 1863 Was in Mississippi on Railroad Bureau business
April 6, 1863 Reported on Alabama & Florida (of Florida) RR iron taken
NA, A&F 4-6-63
April 15, 1863 Paid for having Government cars found and distributed
May 1, 1863 C. S. Senate refused to approved his appointment in the Army.
May 22, 1863 Superintendent of government transportation position ended when Confederate Senate refused to confirm his appointment.
May 27, 1863 Classification of the Atlantic & North Carolina RR that he had recommended was approved
NA, A&NC 5-27-63
June, 1863 Remained in western Louisiana for the remainder of the war. {Biography}

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