William Wilson

        COL. WILLIAM WILSON.
 William Wilson, who recruited and com-
manded the Sixth Regiment, New-York Volunteers,
at the outbreak of the war of the rebellion, died on
Friday, Nov. 13, at the residence of his brother-in-
law, Michael Duffy, No. 420 West Forty-seventh
street, in the fifty-second year of
his age. Col. Wilson was a native of
England, and came to this country while a minor.
In his younger days he was a man of great physical
strength. He fought on several occasions in the
prize ring as a professional pugilist, and in the fa-
mous fight between Yankee Sullivan and John Mor-
rissey he acted as a second for the former.
While still a young man he became
a ticket agent for the People's Line
of steam-boats plying between New-York City and
Albany, establishing an office at No. 109 West street,
and afterward combined with this business that of
a passenger agent for the California lines of steam-
ships. In 1856 he was elected by the Democratic
Party Alderman from the First Aldermanic
District, then the First Ward of the City, defeating
Charles McKay, who was the nominee of another
wing of the party in the Ward. In 1857 Mayor
Wood and the Board of Aldermen were legislated
out of office on account of the Metropolitan Police
troubles, and Col. Wilson was forced to re-
tire after one year's service. At the next
election he was again a candidate for Alder-
man, and was defeated by Michael Murray, now
dead. Some time afterward he removed from the
First Ward and engaged in the real estate business.
At the outbreak of the war he raised the Sixth
Regiment, New-York Volunteers, which became
so well known as "Billy Wilson's Zouaves."
This regiemnt was composed mainly of
rough characters of the City, and the
wildest stories were circulasted in the
South in regard to them. It was supposed there that
"Wilson's Zouaves" were a specie of brutal crea-
tures but little better than human tigers, and that
their motto was universal pillage and no quarter.
Threats were made by the Southerners that
if these "Northern hirelings" were captured,
they would be butchered outright. The
regiment was sent to Pensacola, Fla., and after
some service in that locality was consolidated with
other troops. Col. Wilson returned to New-York af-
ter two years service, and in 1864 was placed in com-
mand of the Sixty-ninth Regiment by Gov. Seymour,
in place of the gallant Col. Corcoran, who had died
in the service. When Gen. Butler made his famous
before the New-York mob in 1863, and was
threatened with his life, Col. Wilson stood at his
side, and encouraged him by his presence. Some
time after the war he bought a farm in Chatauqua
County, near to that of Horace Greeley.
This farm was his home when he was not
in the City. He has held several offices under
the General Government since the war, but has not
been active in politics for some years. Col. Wilson
is spoken of by his friends as a genial and generous
man, and gentle in his demeanor to everybody he
came in contact with notwithstanding all reports to
the contrary.