William W. Perry was a Pennsylvania soldier who joined the Union Army on January 4, 1864, at the age of 13. He participated in the Battle of the Wilderness and the Battle of Dabney's Mill, was on regular picket duty from February 1865 until the war's end, and was present at Appomattox when General Robert E. Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865. He was involved in the pursuit of General Johnston's forces into North Carolina following Lee's surrender.
From the description of William W. Perry diary, 1864-1865 [manuscript]. (East Carolina University). WorldCat record id: 645227325