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William D. Rogers, a resident of Milton, Florida, enrolled in Company K of the First Florida Infantry on May 31, 1861. When his term of enlistment for the original First Florida expired in early 1862, Rogers remained in the service in McDonnell's Florida Battalion, participating in the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862. In mid-1862 he joined the newly reorganized First Florida Infantry, serving with that unit until the fall of 1863. In October 1863, Rogers transferred to the Fifteenth Confederate Cavalry (also known as the First Alabama and Florida Cavalry). Along with his brother, John Franklin Rogers, William remained in the Fifteenth Cavalry until November 17, 1864, when Union forces captured them at Pine Barren, Florida. They were imprisoned at Ship Island, Mississippi, where William died on March 8, 1865.
Summary:
This collection contains photocopies of 12 letters written by William D. Rogers during the Civil War. The letters provide information on camp life and military operations. Rogers describes the retreat from Corinth, Mississippi, following the Battle of Shiloh (April 1862) and the participation of the First Florida in the Battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee (December 1862 - January 1863). Rogers wrote one of the letters from Ship Island shortly before his death.
The collection also includes two photographs of the brothers, William D. and John Franklin Rogers, taken in their military uniforms during the Civil War.
Finding Aids:
Calendar available. 0
Additional Physical Form:
Reproduction Note:
Photocopies.
Location of Originals/Duplicates:
Originals in possession of donor.
Associated Materials:
Language Notes:
Ownership/Custodial History:
Donor is great-great-nephew of William D. Rogers.
Publication Note:
General Note:
Electronic Records Access:
Subject Access Fields:
Rogers, John Franklin. Rogers, William D., Dr., 1908-1999.
Confederate States of America. Army. --Florida Infantry Regiment, 1st. Confederate States of America. Army. --Confederate Cavalry Regiment, 15th. Confederate States of America. Army. --Florida Battalion, McDonnell's.
Civil War (U.S.) Corinth (Miss.), Battle of, 1862. Murfreesboro, Battle of, 1862-1863. Shiloh, Battle of, 1862.
United States History Civil War, 1861-1865
for detailed listing.