William May, from Grasshopper Falls (Valley Falls), Kansas, enlisted on August 27, 1862, and was mustered into Company I, 11th Kansas Cavalry, on September 15, 1862, as a private. He was promoted to corporal on July 1, 1864.

The 11th Kansas Infantry was organized from August to September 1862, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; they fought at Prairie Grove, then were reorganized as the 11th Kansas Cavalry. The regiment participated in various scouts and skirmishes in Kansas and Missouri, then pursued General Sterling Price during his 1864 Missouri raid. Following the war, the 11th moved to the Dakota Territory and campaigned against Native Americans.

May was mustered out on September 26, 1865. He died in Meriden, Kansas, on December 20, 1916.

Carte-de-Visite by G. Wertz, Kansas City, Mo.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31704