Letters of William R. Barksdale written during the Civil War to his brother, Dr. Ferrell B. Barksdale. Barksdale, a graduate of the University of Mississippi law school, practiced in Grenada. After the war, he served as district attorney and as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives. He entered Confederate service as a Captain in the 11th Mississippi Regiment, became an adjutant general on Featherston's staff, and also served on General Walthall's staff. Two of the letters were written by H. H. Barksdale.

The letter dated January 18, 1861, was written from Jackson while Barksdale was a delegate from Yalobusha County to the Secession Convention.