Source: Confederate Veteran, Vol. XVIII, May 1910, No. 5, page 242, 243

Dr. W. J. Lee

Dr. William Joseph Lee was born October 27, 1838 in Chambers County, Ala;
and died January 13, 1910 at Abbeville, Ala. His ancestors were of the Lees
of Virginia. Charles S. Lee, his father, was a native of Greene County, Ga.
And became a citizen of Alabama in 1834. He served with the rank of captain
in the Indian War of 1836, and during the Civil War effectively aided the
cause.

Dr. W. J. Lee was one of five brothers, all of whom were commissioned, in
the Confederate service. Moses J. Lee was a captain of cavalry; Charles S.
Lee, Jr., was also a captain of cavalry in the 1st Alabama Regiment, and
after reorganization he commanded a company of the 6th Alabama Calvary.
After the war he represented Escambia County in the Senate of Alabama. John
H. Lee entered the service as a private in the 6th Alabama Cavalry, and was
promoted to a lieutenancy; Edward David Lee enlisted as a private in Company
K of the 33rd Alabama Infantry, commanded by his brother, Dr. W. J. Lee, and
a year later was commissioned lieutenant. After his brother was wounded and
captured at Franklin, Tenn., he had command of the company until the
surrender at Greensboro, N.C.

In the fall of 1861 W. J. Lee organized a company in Coffee County, of which
he was elected captain. It was made Company K, 33rd Alabama Infantry,
Lowrey's Brigade, Cleburne's Division, Hardee's Corps, Army of Tennessee.
He commanded his company during the siege of Corinth and through the
Kentucky and Chickamuaga campaigns. During the Atlanta and Nashville
campaigns he was the acting major of his regiment, and participated in the
battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridege,
Ringgold, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro,
and in the Tennessee Campaign at Franklin, where he fell with sever wounds
in the right elbow and left leg. When the army retreated from Nashville, he
was captured and three months later he was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio where he
was confined until after the close of hostitlies. He was a brave, heroic
spirit.

Dr. Lee had graduated with distinction in the Medical Department of Tulane
University, New Orleans, La. In 1860 and the next year from the University
of Nashville, and began the practice of his profession in Coffee County; but
soon the call of his country for military service interrupted his
professional career. After the flag of the Confederacy furled, he resumed
the practice of medicine in Coffee County, Ala. where he labored with marked
success until 1882. He then located in Abbeville and entered upon his most
efficient labors. Having won the plaudits of his fellow men for his ability
and constancy in their service, he retired from the profession in 1896, rich
in the esteem of his people.

Dr. Lee served for years as the Commander of Abbeville Camp, U.C.V. At the
time of his death he was Vice President of the First National Bank, a member
of Henry Lodge A.F. and A. M. and a member of the Abbeville Baptist Church.

Dr. Lee married Miss Emma Ada Haughton of Union Springs, Ala. October 8,
1861 at Elba, Ala. She died in 1874. In 1876, he married Mrs. Mollie E.
Price, of Abbeville, Ala., the daughter of Rev. Alexander L. Martin and the
sister of Rev. W. J. Martin, of Abbeville, and Hon. Harry Martin of Ozark.
He is survived by two brothers, eldest and youngest of his family, and by
two sisters. One sister is the wife of Capt. J. E. P. Flournoy of Elba, who
served with distinction as a captain in the 8th Alabama Cavalry, and the
other is the wife of Hon. P. D. Costello and was a captain in the
Confederate army, acting major of his battalion at Shiloh and as lieutenant
colonel of the 25th Alabama Regiment at Murfreesboro. He is also survived
by his son, W. J. Lee, Jr. who for a quarter of a century has served in the
navy of the United States, and who is now stationed in Alaskan waters; by
his daughter, Mrs. Robert Newman, with four children; by Miss Irene Stokes,
his granddaughter, who had spent her life under his care and loved him with
a true daughter's devotion; by his faithful wife, who for nearly thirty-four
years was his constant helpmeet and companion.

The funeral sermon was preached by his pastor, Rev. John F. Gable, at the
Abbeville Baptist Church, assisted by Rev. W. E. Street of the Methodist
Church. The ceremonies at the grave were conducted by Henry Lodge, A. F.
and A. M. assisted by representatives from other lodges in the country.

In consideration of this genial fellowship, of his military career, of his
professional service, of his patriotic citizenship, and his fraternal
relations, it was therefore

"Resolved by the Henry Lodge, No. 91, A. F. and A. M. in regular meeting
assembled. That we humbly bow in submission to the will of the Lord,
Supreme Grand Master of the skies, that we recognize the truth, that the
square, the plump line, and the level regulated the life of our brother;
that our sympathy is hereby extended to the bereaved family; that a copy of
this sketch and this resolution be spread upon our minutes and published
throughout the press."

Dr. Clarence J. Owens, Commander in Chief, U.S. C.V. was chairman of the
meeting.