The first few entries were written before the war; they discuss Wilson's work as a clerk in a cotton house and his social life in Mobile. Most of the diary, however, focuses on his military service during the Civil War. He describes camp life and...
In the diary he describes the troop movements of the "Mobile Rifles" after the regiment was formed in 1861; traveling to Lynchburg, Virginia; the enthusiasm for secession in Alabama and Virginia; his term of service at Norfolk, Virginia; social...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the "private letter" ("let nobody see it"), he explains that he has unsuccessfully tried to get a discharge from service because of a medical condition. He asks his father to...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the brief letter he sends news of family members, and he refers to the "flag of truce" system developed by the United States Postal Service for delivering mail between the...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he asks his father to consult a lawyer and try to secure his discharge from the service. He has a medical condition that makes it difficult for him to perform his...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he briefly discusses his delay while traveling back to his company after furlough ("the flat at the ferry was so slow that I missed the train"), and he mentions a...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he describes a recent snowball fight: "There was many a battle fought yesterday, among the soldiers, with snowballs. About nine (9) oclock Capt Drew, of Co 'A,'...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses Charlie's interest in joining the cavalry. Alex encourages him to enlist before the spring campaigns begin: "I think, or at least hope, that this will...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses clothing he has received and more that he and other men will need; weather and conditions in camp; nearby fighting; his duties as an escort ("It is one...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses clothing that he needs, listing it in order of priority. He also mentions reports of a skirmish on Raccoon Mountain. A transcript is included.
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses current troop positions and lack of preparations ("it seems as if we were inviting the enemy over"); mutual acquaintances; and the availability of food...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses fighting in the area ("A day without an artillery duel, is the exception, and not the rule"); news from Mobile regarding the fall of several...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses food available in camp ("well supplied in the eating line); clothing he needs; weather in the area; possible troop movements and campaigns; his low...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses his brother's plans to join the service; the possibility of buying another horse ("horses will command a good price untill [sic] peace"); relative...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses his unsuccessful attempt to get out of the service because of a medical condition. He then explains that he wants his father to consult a lawyer and...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses mutual acquaintances; "recruit furloughs" obtained by several men ("he puts in a recruit and gets 40 days more"); rumors of enemy troop movements; a...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses mutual acquaintances; weather in the area; possible campaigns; food available in camp ("We are getting plenty to eat now"); and the difficult living...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses news of family and mutual acquaintances; Charlie's plans to join the military; fighting in the area; and upcoming troop movements. He also includes the...
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses recent troop movements and the Battle of Jonesboro, and he encloses a long list of items for his brother to bring to him. A transcript is included.
During the Civil War, Alex served in the 2nd and 3rd Alabama Cavalry. In the letter he discusses recent troop movements; fighting in the area during the Battle of Marietta; changes in command in his regiment; mutual acquaintances; and the plans of...