VMI's Civil War Generals
William Y. C. Humes, Class of 1851

Biographical Information
- Early Life
  William Young Conn Humes, born June 1830 in Abingdon, Virginia. Parents: John Newton Humes and Jane Conn White.
- VMI record
  Enrolled at VMI on November 20, 1848; was graduated on July 4, 1851, standing 2nd in a class of 29 (distinguished graduate); classmate of Gen. Alfred J. Vaughan.
- Marriage
  Married 1st- Margaret Preston White of Abingdon, VA; 2 children; Margaret died in Knoxville before 1863.
  2nd- 1863, Sallie Elder of Memphis, TN; 4 children.
- Pre-Civil War
  Read law; lawyer in Knoxville and Memphis, Tennessee.
- Civil War
  1861-Captain Artillery, commanded guns at New Madrid; captured and imprisoned at Johnson's Island; after exchange became cavalry officer; appointed Brigadier General Nov. 1863 and led brigade in Wheeler's Corps fought in Tennessee, Georgia the Carolinas; appointed Major General March 1865.
- Post-war
  Resumed law practice in Memphis; died September 11, 1882 in Huntsville, Alabama.