A Confederate Captain’s Story: William Washington Humphries

After Appomattox, Humphries returned to a dramatically changed Columbus. Like many Confederate veterans, he took the requisite oath of allegiance to the Union and worked to rebuild his law practice eventually entering the political arena. He specialized in helping fellow veterans navigate the complex legal landscape of Reconstruction. He was a prominent member of the local Columbus Chapter of the Ku Klux Klan under the leadership of former CSA General Jacob Sharp, S. D. Lee, and Jeptha Vining Harris and other former CSA leaders. Humpries also served on the City Council from 1872-1876.