These letters, dating from 1861 to 1865, give us a personal account of Civil War activities in South Carolina, North Carolina, & Virginia. General Stokes' outfit saw some of the heaviest fighting of the war, including numerous battles that were connected with the defense of Petersburg & Richmond. In his letters, however, he underplays the danger of death, sparing the reader the gruesome details of combat & the morbidity of his surroundings, & focuses instead on the facts, providing an eloquent account of the operations of war. Although 2nd in command of his outfit, the frequent absence of his superior officer forced primary responsibility of command on Stokes. His cool, unselfish leadership is evident & his confidence in his men, the war's cause, & his own abilities is steadfast--right through to the final painful disbanding of the regiment in April 1865 & the inevitable surrender of the South. Although all Regiment records were burned at the end of the war, the letters & memorabilia of General William Stokes, made available by his great granddaughter, preserve the history of South Carolina's 4th Calvary.