January 24, 1843 (Breesport, NY) – July 4, 1863 (Gettysburg, PA); 20 years old
Enlisted August 9, 1862
Mustered in August 28, 1862
Unit: 17th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, Company A
Promoted to Corporal June 4, 1863
Born to Daniel Burroughs Westlake (1812-1894) and Adeline Wood (1817-1855). Siblings were Julia A. (1837-1841), Zenas H. (1840-1845), Julia A. (1845-1897), Edward A. (1855-?)
Wounded July 2, 1863 at Gettysburg, PA. Died of those wounds on July 4, 1863. Contracted “traumatic tetanus” following amputation of right “thigh” leg.
From The Norwalk Sentinel, June 5, 1886
William W. Westlake died of wounds received at Gettysburg. He was an excellent young man, a member of the church and Sabbath school at the time of his enlistment. He was one of six young men upon whom Rev. D. R. Austin pronounced his benediction as they were going to the front, and of whom it was said that “he carried into the field the principles of the religion that he has espoused in his boyhood.” His father was with him when he died. His remains were brought to this city. Religious services were held here and he was buried in Union Cemetery, Norwalk His relatives have erected a stone monument to his memory in Pine Island Cemetery.”
Note–he was later reburied in Riverside Cemetery.
Buried in Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk, CT; Section 10, Civil War Plot, Grave 10. Photo from findagrave.com.
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