William Grier Davis was 21 years old at enlistment as Private with the 8th Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry "Green Light Guards" on May 16, 1861, in Greensboro, Georgia.

His name appears on a Register of Chimborazo Hospital, No. 1, Richmond, Virginia, reflecting admittance for treatment of Diarrhea on April 17, 1862 and return to duty on April 30, 1862.

William's name appears on a Register of sick and wounded Confederates in the hospitals in and about Gettysburg, Pa., after the battle of July 1, 2 and 3, 1863. Complaint is written as "G.S. Right Thigh F.W." [Gunshot Right Thigh]. (I can only speculate that the "F.W." may indicate the wound was a front wound or flesh wound.)

He appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War at the hospitals in and about Gettysburg, Pa., captured July 1, 2 and 3, 1863.

His name appears on a List of wounded Confederates sent to the Provost Marshal, New York, the forenoon of July 21, 1863, from Gettysburg, Pa.

William appears as signature to a Roll of Prisoners of War paroled at Decamp General Hospital, David's Island, New York Harbor, August 24, 1863. Endorsement shows: "Received City Point, Va., August 28th, '63, from Major Jno. E. Mulford, 3rd Infty N.Y.V., comdg. Flag of Truce, Six Hundred & Eighty Six (686) Confederate Prisoners of War paroled for exchange. -W.H. Hatch, Capt. & A.A.G., P.A.C.S."

He appears on a Register of Confederate States Hospital, Petersburg, VA. The admission date August 28, 1863. Remarks reflects "Sept. 10 Duty."

His name appears on a Receipt Roll for clothing at C. S. (Confederate States) Hospital issued on September 2, 1863.

He appears on Company Muster Roll for Co. I, 8 Regiment, Georgia Infantry for March and April 1864. Reflecting "Present."

William appears on Company Muster Roll for Co. I, 8 Regiment, Georgia Infantry for July and August 1864, and September and October 1864. Reflecting: "Present."

His name appears on a List "of Prisoners of War belonging to the Army of Northern Virginia who have been this day surrendered by General Robert E. Lee, C.S.A., commanding said Army, to Lieut. Genl. U. S. Grant, commanding Armies of the United States. Done at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, April 9, 1865."

Joseph was "detached as a nurse" at Gettysburg. It is speculated that he arranged to attend to his wounded brother William during his recovery while at Gettysburg. Both brothers became prisoners of war during or just after the Gettysburg event.

The 8th Georgia suffered a 55.1% loss rate in this fighting. In spite of the high casualty rate, Anderson's Georgians were still full of fight. A Private, Jeremiah Watson, of the 59th Georgia summed it up best for his fellow comrades when he stated that he did not believe they were licked, ". . . for the Georgia boys were 'fightin' fools' and there was plenty of fighting left to do wherever they went."