Archives West Finding Aid

William H. Storrs was a New York born shoemaker living in Marietta, Ohio who enlisted in the 77th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Initially enrolled as a private in Company B, Storrs was almost immediately promoted to regimental commissary sergeant on January 25, 1862, and accompanied the regiment on its march to Fort Donaldson, Tennessee. The 77th formed part of the Union forces at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6-7th, and the subsequent advance on Corinth, Mississippi. In August of 1862 the regiment was ordered to the military prison at Alton, Illinois where they served as guards until July, 1863. Storrs and his comrades next transferred to Arkansas where they eventually formed part of General Frederick Steele's expedition to Little Rock in September, 1863, and the occupying garrison of the city afterwards. In March of 1864, Storrs was put on detached duty with the Little Rock garrison's commissary department and did not accompany his regiment on its march with Steele's Camden expedition. While on this expedition most of the 77th Ohio was captured at the battle of Mark's Mills, Arkansas. Storrs declined to reenlist when his three year enlistment expired on January 25, 1865. His residence and activities thereafter are unknown.