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Sgt. Lewis Wiggins was the son of Mr.
and Mrs. W. M. Wiggins, of Houston, Texas. He was born in
Corsicana, Texas, September 8, 1890 and was educated in the schools
there. March 1, 1917, entered the service of the United States
Army and was ordered to Camp Travis, where he was assigned to Company D,
360th Infantry, 90th Division. Trained at this camp until June,
1918, when his division was ordered to Camp Mills, from which place they
were sent overseas. After arriving in France went to Rouvers and
trained several weeks. About the first of September the 90th
Division entered the front line trenches and saw continuous action until
the close of hostilities. Sgt. Wiggins did excellent work in the
St. Mihiel battle, and when his company entered the Meuse-Argonne
offensive showed such ability that his Captain made him Sergeant on the
battlefield. On November 1, 1918, while leading his men against a
strongly entrenched German machine gun position at Avadavanna, a
position which the 360th had tried all day to gain, and had just gained
the top of the hill when he was instantly killed by a high explosive.
He was buried on the spot where he fell with simple religious services.
History of Texas World War Heroes - World War 1
Notes:
Oakwood Cemetery,
Corsicana, Navarro Co., Texas
OBITUARY
A CORSICANA SOLDIER BOY
Body of Corporal Lewis Wiggins En Route Home.
The body of Corporal Lewis Wiggins, who was killed in action in
France is now en route home.
His father, Wm. Wiggins, yesterday received a telegram to that
effect. The telegram was dated at Hoboken, N. J., and reads:
“Remains of Corporal Lewis Wiggins will leave New York City, October
10th, at 10:50 a.m. and will arrive via St. Louis Southwestern
(Cotton Belt) railroad.
Mrs. James Redden, sister of the dead soldier boy, with whom the
reporter talked this morning, said that she could not suggest the
hour for the arrival of the body, based on the above telegram.
Later, however another telegram received by her father, gave the
hour for the body’s arrival. This telegram was dated Fort Sam
Houston, Texas, and reads:
“Remains of the late Corporal Lewis Wiggins will arrive in Corsicana
9:05 a.m. October 14th, with attendant.”
It will be observed that the body is coming via San Antonio and will
reach here Friday morning, via the Cotton Belt at the hour named in
the telegram.
Mrs. Redden says no arrangements have been made for the funeral
further than sending notices to her brothers who are out of the
city, and on their arrival the funeral arrangements will be
announced.
Corporal Wiggins was a popular young man who held the respect and
confidence of all who knew him. He grew to manhood here and enlisted
in Corsicana. His death is deeply deplored but his courage and
devotion to his country for which he gave his life will never be
forgotten.
Notes:
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BODY ARRIVES SATURDAY A. M.
Train Service Is Given As Cause For Delay
The following telegram received by Mr. William Wiggins late
yesterday morning is self-explanatory:
Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Oct. 12.—Disregard telegram of October 10th
on account of train delay, remains of Corporal Lewis Wiggins will
arrive in Corsicana at 10:05 a.m. 15th. (Signed) “Agnew.”
It will be recalled that a previous telegram which was published in
Tuesday’s Sun stated that the body of Corporal Wiggins would arrive
at 9:05 Friday. According to the above telegram the arrival of the
body has been delayed until Saturday morning.
The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon at three o’clock from
the residence of the father of the deceased, Wm. Wiggins at 102 East
First avenue, with burial in
Oakwood cemetery.
Notes:
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Military Funeral For Lewis Wiggins Who Died Fighting
CORPORAL LEWIS WIGGINS
The remains of Lewis Wiggins, son of William Wiggins, who was killed
in action during the world war arrived in Corsicana this morning and
was taken to the family home at the Corner of North Beaton and First
Avenue. The body was accompanied to Corsicana by Corporal D. L.
Dunnavant of Ft. Sam Houston.
The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon from the First
Methodist church at 3 o’clock. Military honors will be accorded the
body and members of the Johnson-Wiggins Post of the American Legion,
in uniform, will act as pall bearers. The local post was named in
honor of the deceased.
Lewis Wiggins was killed in action November 4, 1918. He fell at
Andavanno, a small town about four miles from Dun-Sur-Meuse. He
entered the service March 1, 1918, and was trained at Camp Travis,
Texas. He was a Corporal in Co. D. 360th Infantry Ninetieth
Division. His body was first buried where he fell. Andavanne,
France. He was twenty-eight years old at the time of his death and
was unmarried.
All ex-service men are requested to meet at the Sutherland
Undertaking Parlors Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from which place
they will march in a body to the church. All ex-soldiers are
requested to wear their uniforms.
Notes:
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FUNERAL OF SOLDIER HELD YESTERDAY
Impressive Ceremonies at Burial of Sergeant Lewis Wiggins
From the far away fields of France, back to his native home the
remains of Sgt. Lewis Wiggins, one of Corsicana’s heroes who made
the supreme sacrifice upon the battlefield of the world wide war;
were laid to rest in Oakwood cemetery at 2:30 o’clock yesterday.
Funeral services were conducted at the First Methodist church of
this city by Rev. Collom H. Booth, pastor who in most impressive and
touching language paid tribute to the deceased. Sergeant Wiggins was
said to have been a most exemplary boy during his childhood spent in
this city and a brave and fearless soldier upon the battlefield.
The altar was most appropriately draped with the National flag and
service flag, showing more than 100 enlistments from Corsicana
families.
Rev. Mr. Booth paid the highest tributes of love honor and memory to
Sergeant Wiggins, relating incidents of his boyhood evidencing his
many admirable qualities. He was charitable to all, loyal to his
friends, and a dutiful son.
The following letter from Capt. Mike Hogg, of Company D, 360th
Infantry, was read, having been written to a sister of Sergeant
Wiggins after he was killed upon the battlefield of Andavanne on
Nov. 1, 1918.
“Dear Mrs. Redden:
“I have intended writing to your mother for some time, concerning
the death of her son, Lewis. Unavoidable delay only caused me to
wait this long without writing, because I am sure her grief will be
softened to know what we of the company thought of him and will
always remember about him.
“He was an excellent soldier. When in training he did his work most
cheerfully and without being subject to criticism. Lewis had many
friends, but confined himself to only a few. He afforded them a
great deal of pleasure with his ready wit. He said many things that
were quoted throughout the company. His most intimate friend was
Sergeant Reed of Beaumont. Sergeant Reed was wounded and has gone to
the states.
“Lewis, did excellent work in the big fight, in the St. Milaiel
sector and later led several successful patrols out into No Man’s
Land. He was one of the best leaders in the company.
“When he went up to the Meuse-Argenne sector I made him sergeant and
placed him in command of his platoon. This was an officer’s job, but
there were not enough to go round, so I made Lewis commander. The
morning of November 1, he was commanding this platoon when we went
“over the top.” The company had gone through the hardest part of the
fight that day, when Sergeant Wiggins was killed. He had led his
platoon against machine guns and they had either killed or captured
all the Huns in front of them. The worst seemed to be over, but just
as they reached the crest of a hill, they were fired upon by direct
fire from artillery. Here Lewis was hit by an H. E. (illegible) and
instantly killed.
“When the fight was over there was nothing but praise for Sergeant
Wiggins’ work. He was buried on the spot where he fell with simple
religious service.
“Andavanne, a small town about four miles from Dun-Sur-Meuse and
about that distance west of the river is where he fell. The fighting
at this place was as severe as any during the war.
“You may rest assured that Sergeant Wiggins ‘played his part and did
his ‘bit’ in a game that called forth the strongest in the best of
men. I need say no more. I know this matter of fact statement can
not but cause you to mingle the highest but most humble pride with
the sorrow that you feel for one who has made his ‘supreme
sacrifice,’ as did Lewis Wiggins.
“Please convey to your mother my heartfelt sympathy in her great
sorrow.”
Most sincerely,
MIKE HOGG,
“Capt, Company, D 360th Inf.”
Music by the quartette composed of Mrs. Harry Williams, Mrs. Percy
Townsend, Jack Haslam and Edgar Metcalf was rendered in beautiful
tunes at the church and grave.
Many floral offerings manifesting the love and admiration of
numerous friends, covered the casket shrouded in the National flag.
The active pall bearers were Capt. C. A. Davis, Harland George,
Suttle Roberts, J. A. McMahon, Henry Dickson, Fred Rouse, and Suncie
Mallory.
After completion of services at the grave and benediction had been
pronounced, taps were sounded as the last requiem to Sergeant
Wiggins.
Notes:
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