W.H.E. was born December 23, 1840 in Rutledge, Morgan County, Georgia to Avington W. and Sarah Elizabeth Brewer Harper of Morgan County, Georgia. He served as a private in Company A, 29th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Steven's Brigade, C.S.A. He joined Steven's Brigade on May 1st, 1862 in Morgan County.
From May 7th to May 12th he fought with Steven's Brigade at the battle of Rocky Face Ridge and Dug Gap. He was wounded at the Peachtree Creek Battle on July 20, 1864. W.H.E.'s commanding officer, Brigadier General Clement H. Stevens was mortally wounded while leading his brigade at the Peachtree Creek confrontation. On July 22, 1864 during the Battle of Atlanta, W.H.E. Harper was hit in the left breast by a "minnie ball" and while laying with his head on a log, a shell exploded nearby, causing permanent injury to his nervous system and had Paralysis. He could not perform manual labor and was awarded a Maimed Soldiers Pension of $50.00 a year. His application for the pension was dated 1889.
He also fought at the siege of Charleston, South Carolina, Ocean Pond, Florida and other battles around Atlanta. Remarks from his original records indicate that in case of his death to notify C. T. Harper (brother), Rutledge, Georgia or R.L. Harper (son), Jersey, Walton County, Georgia.
W.H.E. Harper died at the Confederate Soldiers Home in Atlanta on July 29, 1904 at 6:40 P.M. He entered the Confederate Home on May 20th, 1904. He died of Brights Disease, which is Kidney Disease. Nearest relatives were listed as C. T. Harper (brother), Rutledge, Georgia and R. L. Harper (son), Jersey, Walton County, Georgia. W.H.E. is buried at Westview Cemetery in the Confederate Soldier's section.
BATTLE OF OLUSTEE
Other Names: OCEAN POND
Location: Baker County
Campaign: Florida Expedition (1864)
Date(s): February 20, 1864 Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour [US]; Brig. Gen. Joseph Finegan [CS]
Forces Engaged: Division [US]; District of East Florida [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 2,806 total (US 1,860; CS 946)
Description: In February 1864, the commander of the Department of the South, Maj. Gen. Quincy A. Gillmore, launched an expedition into Florida to secure Union enclaves, sever Rebel supply routes, and recruit black soldiers. Brig. Gen. Truman Seymour moved deep into the state, occupying, destroying, and liberating, meeting little resistance on February 20, he approached Brig. Gen. Joseph Finegan’s 5,000 Confederates entrenched near Olustee. One infantry brigade pushed out to meet Seymour’s advance units. The Union forces attacked but were repulsed. The battle raged, and as Finegan committed the last of his reserves, the Union line broke and began to retreat. Finegan did not exploit the retreat, allowing most of the fleeing Union forces to reach Jacksonville.
Result(s): Confederate victory
CWSAC Reference #: FL005