In March 1861, Hinton joined the 41st Virginia Infantry of the Confederate Army, and fought throughout the war, surrendering at Appomattox courthouse.

captains organized the Petersburg Rifleman's Association as a hunting club and society to preserve the Army of Northern Virginia's military tradition.

His brother, Captain William E. Hinton, Jr., had helped lead the Conservative party to victory in the Petersburg municipal election of 1874.

[4] William Hinton then become aligned with the Readjuster Party, won election to the Virginia Senate and represented Petersburg and nearby Prince George and Surry Counties from 1875 until 1879.

With Judge Hinton absent (as a party to the controversy), the newly reconstituted court ruled against Burks as its first act of business on January 1, 1883.