William Pinkney Cline papers
Published: 1862
Language: eng
Number of pages: 50
Subjects: Correspondence; Photographs; Military life; Military deserters; Confederate States of America. Army. North Carolina Infantry Regiment, 46th; Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862; Fredericksburg, Battle of, Fredericksburg, Va., 1862; Confederate States of America; Soldiers; Confederate States of America. Army; History
Description: The collection consists of letters William Pinkney Cline wrote to his wife during the Civil War while he served with the 46th North Carolina Infantry Regiment of the Confederate Army from 1862 to 1864. The letters discuss camp conditions, the movements of Cline's unit, news of other soldiers from his area, brief descriptions of the action that he saw at the battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg, as well as descriptions of his time in the guardhouse after his return from desertion and the execution of three other deserters from his unit. Also included are several post-war letters from family members to Smith's wife and a photograph of Cline in uniform.
Notes: In the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (#5019-z).

Microfilm copy available.

Purchase 2000.

William Pinkney Cline was a smith from Catawba County, N.C., who joined the Confederate Army as a private in the 46th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, also known as the Catawba Braves, on 13 March 1862. He saw action at Antietam and Fredericksburg. He deserted on 19 August 1863, returning on 28 September 1863. After a stay in the guardhouse, he returned to duty in the spring of 1864 and was killed in action at the Wilderness on 5 May 1864.