Title: William T. Presley Correspondence,

Date/Date Range :   1862-1863

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

This collections contains two letters from William Presley of the 1st Alabama Cavalry, Company A, to his wife 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 Middleton, Bedford County, Tenn.," Presley discusses the difficulty of being away from his family. He writes that "the thoughts of dear ones at home and no chance to see them tries the strength of a mans heart and at times is more than I can bear until I get off by myself and shed a few tears which seems to be some relief."

Call number: MS-2783

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

The Presley correspondence was purchased by the Special Collections Library on February 27, 2006.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], William T. Presley Correspondence, MS-2783. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of a single folder.

William T. Presley served with A company of the 1st Alabama Cavalry. This regiment participated in in more engagements of one type or another than any other unit. After taking taking part in the Battle of Shiloh it reported 588 men present for duty. It fought at Munfordville, Perryville, Murfreesboro, and Chickamauga, in the Knoxville and Atlanta Campaigns.

The William T. Presley Correspondence consists of two letters describing life in the Confederate army during the Civil War. The letters are addressed to his wife in Prattville, Alabama. In the first letter, dated September 30, 1862 from "camp direction Chattanooga," Presley mentions his wish for a new horse, saying "oh how I do want a horse to ride and go straight to the regt. I think if I was at home that Brother Evan would let me have that Sorril Poney [sic] of his. She would make a far superior cavalry horse to what some of them are now in service. I think 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 Middleton, Bedford County, Tenn.," Presley mentions that "the Boys are in high spirits about Colonel Clantons getting our Regt to go back to Ala. The great talk of peace has again died away and you can never hear of such a thing only hear men wishing the war was ended." Working as a courier and stationed "with five others about four miles from Middleton and about half way between General Martins Head Qtrs and General Whartons," Presley says that he is "living better than I have since I left home. We dont have a great deal of riding to do and have the privilege of eating at houses in the settlement and can get chickens and eggs and now and then a Baked Turkey or Goose." He adds that "the thoughts of dear ones at home and no chance to see them tries the strength of a mans heart and at times is more than I can bear until I get off by myself and shed a few tears which seems to be some relief."

• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
• Tennessee -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
• Alabama -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.