William Lindsay Brandon (born c. 1801–1802 in Adams County, Mississippi; died October 8, 1890, in Wilkinson County, Mississippi) was a medical doctor, state legislator, planter and military officer best known for having served as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

From July 1864 until the end of the war, he served in such positions as the commander of the Reserve Corps of Mississippi and the head of the Confederate Bureau of Conscription.

In his postbellum life, he returned to his Wilkinson County plantation where he worked, despite physical injury and age, until his death on October 8, 1890.

[1][2] Brandon's exact birth date cannot be determined as his family records were destroyed in an 1831 fire.

[1] Despite his age of 59 or 60 at the time, Brandon was permitted to serve with the Confederate States Army in 1861 as lieutenant colonel of the 21st Mississippi Infantry Regiment and went to Virginia.

In July 1861, Brandon contracted a cold, prompting him to take a leave from active service until the end of August.

[10] During the Yorktown siege, his regiment, along with other Confederate army units, were spread out across eastern Virginia between Culpeper, Fredericksburg, and Norfolk, forming the Warwick Line.

Oblivious to his wounds, Brandon tried to rise again but he fell once more and remained on the field until men were able to pick him up and carry him to the rear.

Initially, Brandon was offered whiskey which would have eased the pain, but he refused to drink it without water and sugar.

Confederate President Jefferson Davis even offered Brandon the hospitality of his mansion in the city.

Because of his artificial leg, age and the recurrence of an ailment from 1862, he did not feel fit for military service at the time.

[16] After the war, Brandon returned to his Arcole Plantation in Wilkinson County, where despite his age and physical disability, he worked until his death on October 8, 1890.