Athens Daily Banner May 28, 1901 Page 1
Negro Veteran Dies In Columbia
"UNCLE BILLY" ROSE DEAD
A South Carolina Negro Veteran Of Three Wars.
COLUMBIA, S. C., May 27 - William Rose, a well known Negro of this city is dead, aged 89 years.
"Uncle Billy" was born a slave. He went as a drummer to the Seminole war in 1836; to the Mexican war, and to the civil war. He volunteered to go to Cuba. He has held the office of messenger since 1876 to the governor, withstanding all political changes and upheavals on account of his fidelity to the white mans party before 1876. He was a courier on the staff of Governor McSweeney and an honorary sergeant in a local white military company. He brought back General Pierce Butlers body from Mexico and General Bragg's back from Fredricksburg. he witnessed the running of the first train in South Carolina; was here when Lafayette made his triumphant tour of America in 1825 and beat the muffed drum at Calhoun's funeral.
He was buried today with military honors.