First Known Letter from William Duncan Cole to His Wife

Montgomery Ala. May 21st, 1862
My dear wife,
This is to let you know where I am and how I am getting on in this the time of trouble. I am not well and have not been since I left Tuscaloosa. I have had diarhoea ever since I left Tuscaloosa. We have not had one mouthfull fit for a dog to eat since I left with the infernal Yankees, only that which we have paid for ourselves. We left Tuscaloosa last Wednesday at 11 Oclock and landed here [in] Montgomery yesterday about two in the after noon. Our boat run aground several times and lost a great portion of our time on that account. We lay in the woods on the bank of the Warrior River and guarded the prisoners and not one thing to eat for about 24 hours and when it came, it would have made a well man sick to have looked at it.

I sent you ten pounds coffee by Mr. R. C. Willingham. I also gave your Pa about $125.00. I want you to use it for yourself and my little children though I am deprived of that hapy parential presence that I so much appreciate. There is not one hour at any time but what I think of them only when I am slumbering. You are the same in my affections as though we were just married. If I should be so unfortunate as never to see you again, I want you to do your utmost to raise our little ones in that way and manner that they will command the respect and well wishes of those who know them. It would grieve me very much to think that [our] children might be a disgrace to either your or my relatives. I am seeing hard times. But I want you not to suffer nor let our offspring as long as I have any thing in Fayette that may or can be used for your relief. Henly and Rufus are tolerably well at this time but if we were at home we would stay and await the conscript. We did not know how much we thought of our families until this time. We are all the same. I want you and Rebecca and Adaline to do the best you can. Live in hopes for we will return to you just so soon as permitted.

We will leave here in the morning for Mobile. We were of the opinion until this morning that we would have to guard the prisoners to Atlanta, Ga. But they are to be parolled and it is not necessary to have so many Guard. We have near 300 Guard here at this time. All except about 100 hundred will return to their Regiments. There is between 1200 and 1250 prisoners in our care. They form a large Reg't. I will write you again when I get to Mobile and let you hear from me again.

I want you if you can to have me some Gray Gians made to make me a suit of clothing by fall. I priced a gians coat (it's coarse) $20.00. Only common military shoes only $12.00 per pair. All extortions that you can think of is practiced on the Soldiers of the Confederate Army. $1.00 for a meal, from 50 to 75 cents per drink for whisky or Brandy. I cannot think of half I would like to write so no more at this time. But hope the Lord will smile upon you and the Babys. My whole desire is that I can once more enjoy the comforts of my little family. My love to you and your Pa's family.
Affectionately your husband until death. W. Duncan Cole

The following note was written in the left hand margin: Jas. L. Freeman is well and enjoys himself well. I paid eight dollars to have my Degareotype taken for you and sent it by Troy Griffin. I also sent my Pocket Book by him.

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