AUTHOR: Unknown
William “Billy” Pinkney Southard, my great-great-great grandfather, was born in 1826 and was the son of James and Ruth Gilliam Southard. He was married to Bertha Ruth Thomas on December 26, 1848. He was the father of 8 children, 5 sons and 3 daughters. He was a private in the 45th North Carolina Regiment called the Madison Greys. He would join the war and fight with his three brothers. He resided in Rockingham County and enlisted on April 1, 1863. He was present and accounted for through February 1865. Paroled at Greensboro, NC on May 11, 1865. He would survive the war and he would loose a arm to the war. He would live until 1899.