William T. Presley Letter
William T. Presley wrote this letter to his wife, Henrietta (Ward) Presley, while he was serving with Company D of the 1st Alabama Cavalry during the American Civil War. In it, he discusses a pony that he had purchased to send home to his sons (Gus and Fate), describes selling his old horse (named Stonewall) and purchasing a new one that can better tolerate military life, recounts his unit's retreat from Tennessee after the fall of Vicksburg, sends news of family and friends serving in the Confederate military, and expresses his homesickness and desire to return to his family soon.
Dates
- 1863 July 14
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
William T. Presley wrote this letter to his wife, Henrietta (Ward) Presley, while he was serving with Company D of the 1st Alabama Cavalry during the American Civil War. In it, he discusses a pony that he had purchased to send home to his sons (Gus and Fate), describes selling his old horse (named Stonewall) and purchasing a new one that can better tolerate military life, recounts his unit's retreat from Tennessee after the fall of Vicksburg, sends news of family and friends serving in the Confederate military, and expresses his homesickness and desire to return to his family soon.
Biographical/Historical Note
William Taylor Presley was born to John and Margaret Jane (Daniel) Presley in South Carolina in 1830. He was one of twelve children, including Calvin (1806-1892), Evan (1809-1875), Vincent (1812-1872), Emily Tazzi (Presley) Marable (1814-1894), John (1813-), Sarah (Presley) Adams (1816-), Augustus (1820-), Juliette (1827-), George Whitt (1836-1900), Charlotte R. (Presley) Wilkinson (1839-1916), and Newton A. (1842-1862). William Presley married Henrietta A. Ward (1831-1891) in Montgomery County, Alabama on December 19, 1852 and the couple had eight children: Augustus Gus (about 1853-), George Lafayette Fate (about 1855-), Columbus Lum (1857-), Antoinette Nettie (about 1859-), Maggie (1864-1891), Newton Walter (1869-1948), William Robert Bob (1871-1943), and Randolph. One of Henrietta's sisters, Narcissa Ward, also lived with the family for some time. William Presley enlisted in Company D of the 1st Alabama Cavalry on June 30, 1863 and was later promoted to Lieutenant in Company A of the same unit. He was paroled on May 17, 1865 and returned to his family. They later moved to Titus County, Texas, where William Presley died in 1896.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
Special Collections purchased this letter in December of 2003.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository