Captain William H. Mc Candless
Commander, Co. I, 6th Pa. Heavy Artillery

William H. Mc Candless was born on January 15, 1836 at Mt. Jackson, Lawrence Co., Pennsylvania. He was the son of Robert and Martha (Tait) Mc Candless. His enrollment papers show that he was a plasterer and he was 5' 11" in height, brown hair, gray eyes and of dark complexion. On August 6th, 1862 at the age of 26, William enrolled in Company A of the 123rd Pennsylvania Infantry in Pittsburgh, Pa. He signed up for a nine month enlistment and was given the rank of private and a bounty of $25.00. Prior to the Company mustering in at Harrisburg, Pa on August 21st, he was promoted to 4th Sergeant on the 11th. His records for his nine months show nothing unusual. He was mustered out on May 13th, 1863 in Harrisburg, Pa. and like many soldiers had not been paid since February.

William returned to New Castle, Pa and on August 9, 1864 was mustered in as a 2nd lieutenant and recruiting officer for the 212th Pa Volunteers. His records states that this was done in accordance with G.O. No. 31 War Department and to be credited to and as of Carroll Township, Sub Dist 74, Congressional 24, Washington Co. Pa. It seems that his recruiting efforts may have concentrated in and around the New Brighton area since his future company enrolled there for service. The term of service for this regiment was for one year or until discharged. He was promoted to Captain on September 8th, 1864 agreeably to G.O. No. 131of the War Department, and was given command of Company I of the 6th Pa Heavy Artillery.

Company "I" rendezvous with the rest of the 6th Pa. Heavy Artillery at Camp Reynolds in Pittsburgh on September 15th, 1864. From there the regiment travels via train to the city of Washington where they are assigned to protect the railroad from Alexandria to Fairfax, Virginia. The company was assigned to various locations around the town of Pohic, Va. When it was determined that there was no longer any threat to the railroad, the company was sent to Battery Martin Scott which stood fifty feet above and two hundred feet behind the Chain Bridge. This is the area where the company spent the rest of the war.
On June 13th 1865, the 6th Pa. Heavy Artillery was mustered out of service at Ft. Ethan Allen, Va. The regiment was sent back to Camp Reynolds and was disbanded on the 15th of that month.

Captain McCandless resettled in New Castle and married Mary E. Pearson (B: Dec 12, 1845 - D: Jun 27, 1919) and they had a son by the name of Frank. William applied for a War Pension and was awarded $12.00 a month under certificate No. 902900. The surgeon records show that he had rheumatism, impaired vision and a bad back. The rheumatism and impaired vision were thought to be from his war service, but the bad back happened after he was out of the service. In 1891 William states that he was walking on ice and feel flat on his back. His back never got better and he was unable to work any further.

Captain William H. McCandless died February 4th, 1913 at the age of 77 yrs, 0 months, 19 days. His cause of death was Marasmus with a contributory factor of an enlarged prostate. He was buried on February 6th, 1913 in the Greenwood Cemetery in New Castle, Pa. Dunn & Rice were the undertakers that interned Capt. McCandless.