Abstract William T. Presley of Company A of the 1st Alabama Cavalry wrote these two letters to his wife, Henrietta (Ward) Presley, in Prattville, Alabama. In the first letter, dated September 30, 1862 from camp direction Chattanooga, Presley mentions his need for a new horse, arguing that "all men that are worthy property ought to help us poor creatures that have left our families to fight to protect them as well as our own families." In the second letter, dated April 7, 1863 from camp near...

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...

Abstract

William T. Presley wrote this letter to his wife Henry (Henryetta) on September 27, 1862 from camp in or near Knoxville, Tennessee. Presley mentions that her last letter caused tears to stream down his cheeks. He remarks on the poor condition of several men in his camp, saying that one looks like an old shoe. He goes on to tell Henryetta that she must hire someone to build a pen for the hogs and try go with out killing any of them til hog Billing time.