William Albert Leech

He had been a cadet at the US Military Academy at West Point in 1850, then studied the law and was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia. He was appointed Major of the 17th Pennsylvania Infantry for 3-months service on 25 April 1861, and mustered out 2 August 1861. He was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, 90th Pennsylvania Infantry on its organization in October, mustering on 19 February 1862.

He led the Regiment at Antietam after Colonel Lyle was sent to command the Brigade.

He was captured in action at Weldon Railroad, VA on 19 August 1864, and was held at Libby Prison, Richmond, VA and at Salisbury and Danville. He was honored by brevet to Colonel and Brigadier General on 13 March 1865. He was discharged 21 February 1865.

He returned to his law practice and was elected Register of Wills in 1867. He died from "one of the chronic maladies of [army] camp life" contracted in service, relatively young, at 38 years old.

Basic information from Bates1. Some details and the quote above from a notice in the Philadelphia Legal Gazette of 22 July 1870. His gravesite is on Findagrave, source also of his picture, of unknown provenance.

02/03/1832; Philadelphia, PA

07/20/1870; Philadelphia, PA; burial in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, PA