The Leighton News (as quoted from the Russellville Times), 16 Jun 1899

A Worthy Pensioner. Among the old Confederates who came in this week to establish their claims before the pensions board was Mr. W.J. Ledbetter of Belgreen, who has been totally blind since the battle of Day’s Gap in 1863, where he was wounded, the ball, a side shot, going in just behind his left eye and coming out just behind his right eye. His comrades thought of course he was killed at the time, but he recovered and has since lived at his home in Belgreen.

While well up in the 70s, the old soldier enjoys fairly good health and relishes a joke at all times, and no more interesting or pleasant companion can one find than this man who gave so much for his country. Mr. Ledbetter was 28-years-old when shot, has a large family of sons, daughters and grandchildren (some of his children he never saw) with whom and the neighbors among whom he has lived all his life he passes his time.

It is little enough, the pittance Alabama gives this, her son, in slight compensation for his almost two score years of darkness for her sake, surely, surely no one can grudge him this small help from his motherland, over the rough ways of life.—Russellville Times