William. H. Warfield
Sgt. William.H. Warfield
Co.K.
38 U.S.C. Inf.
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller Times (June 13, 2001). Available on microfilm.
2. Biography
According to the 1890 census of Federal veterans, William H. Warfield is a retired 1st Sergeant of Co. K of the 38th U. S. C. (Colored) Infantry (1890 Federal Census of Federal veterans, Nueces County/101/W614/ page 001, Corpus Christi). The 38th U. S. C. Infantry had been formed in Virginia, and probably its most famous member was William Henry Barnes, a member of Co. C of the 38th Infantry, who won a Medal of Honor for his bravery despite wounds at the Battle of Chapin's/Chaffin's Farm on 29 September 1864. In the 1900 census of Nueces County (E. D. 131, sheet 4B/page 137B) William states that he was born December of 1846 and that he is a native of Maryland (as were his parents also). He has now been married for 19 years, but there are no children living with William and his wife Jane. William H. Warfield had married Jane Owens before Rev. Moses H. Sinclair on the 15th of January 1881 (Nueces Marriage Records, volume E. page 149). Jane had been previously married to another veteran, George Owens. She is listed as "Jane Stafford" when she marries George on 13 September 1874, also before Rev. Moses H. Sinclair of the First Congregational Church (Nueces County Marriage Records, volume D, page 123). However, by the 1880 census of Nueces County (p. 26D), Jane Owens is listed as a 30 year old Mulato from Alabama who is widowed and supports herself by working as a laundress. Jane and her next husband William are listed in the early city directory of Corpus Christi (1907-08) as living at 215 Tancahua in the South Bluff addition of Corpus Christi. However, subsequent to his death, Jane was living by 1913-14 at 1223 Oso Street. She is still doing laundry to support herself, but she owns her home. At the time of her death on or about July 20, 1914 she owned a home on Lot 3 of Block 7 in the South Bluff addition of Corpus Christi. She directed that after an appropriate funeral service and burial, all her remaining property should be left to a friend, Ed Crockett. The estate was appraised by H. E. Luter, H. D. C. Gussett, and Georgia Welch. As there were no claims against the estate, her wishes were dutifully respected and what property she had was turned over to Mr. Crockett (Probate Records, volume P and Deed Records, volume 104). Both George Owens and William H. Warfield are buried in Old Bayview Cemetery. There is no definitely proof, however, that their wife Jane is also buried there. Because she died in 1914 there is no record of her burial in the Bayview Association Records (they only go to 1913). She does not have a surviving tombstone that would indicate her burial. However, she is also not listed in the early surveys of New Bayview Cemetery, Holy Cross Cemetery, or Rose Hill Cemetery so there is also no proof that she is buried in those other cemeteries that would have been in existence in 1914. This may mean that she was indeed buried in Old Bayview. However, unlike her husbands who received military stones, her resting place was never marked.
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell
3. Military Record
The Military Records of William H. Warfield report that he was born in Baltimore, Maryland and was 24 years old at the time of his enlistment on January 27, 1865. His enlistment papers describe him as 6 feet and 1.5 inches in height, of mulatto complexion, with dark eyes and black hair. He had been a laborer prior to joining the service. He enlisted in his city of birth under Col. Bowman for a term of one year in Co. K of the 38th United States Colored Infantry. The muster rolls of Co. K reflect little of his actual assignments, but do note that on April 1st he was appointed Sergeant, and then on May 1st was appointed 1st Sergeant. However, on August 10 of 1865 by General Order No. 29 he was reduced back to Private. The following months from September until the end of his service in January of 1866 he was usually absent from his company on detail cutting wood and had no other specific orders. He was mustered out in January of 1866 simply by reason of expiration of his one year term of service. He appears on an "Individual" muster-out roll dated January 26, 1866 at Brazos Santiago, Texas and also on a "Company" muster-out roll dated January 25, 1866 at Indianola, Texas. He was still due $100 in pay at that time, and any government equipment in his possession was to be sent to Galveston, Texas. He was, however, permitted to keep his knapsack, haversack, and canteen per order No. 114.
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell