In answer to a call from Louisiana governor Moore, on October 12, 1861, William H. Cross, a 36-year-old farmer and father of six living in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, enlisted at Camp Monroe, Louisiana in Captain W.A. Maddox's Militia Company ("Claiborne Invincible"). This company was enlisted into the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, 17th Regiment Louisiana Infantry; Corporal Cross was firsts assigned to Company K but reassigned to Company I early in 1862. He appears on all muster rolls until April-May 1862 when he was listed "Missing since the Battle on 6th Apl. At Shiloh." A neighbor in the unit retrieved W.H.'s pocket watch from a body after the battle and returned it to the family at the end of the war.
From W.H.'s last letter home, December 8, 1861, to his eldest son, John William Cross:
"My Son, this should be a lesson to you and should call to your mind that you too must die and life is so uncertain that you should prepare for that solemn hour before it comes for death has no respect to age... but more young persons die by far than old ones and if this was not so you have with you at all times, a friend that sticketh closer than a brother... let me enjoin you as your affectionate father, if we never meet again on earth, do, do try to meet me in Heaven where we will enjoy uninterrupted happiness while eternities ages shall roll around us and my son if it pleases God to show you the light of his countenance reconciled through Jesus Christ our Lord."
From W.H.'s last letter home, December 8, 1861, to his eldest son, John William Cross:
"My Son, this should be a lesson to you and should call to your mind that you too must die and life is so uncertain that you should prepare for that solemn hour before it comes for death has no respect to age... but more young persons die by far than old ones and if this was not so you have with you at all times, a friend that sticketh closer than a brother... let me enjoin you as your affectionate father, if we never meet again on earth, do, do try to meet me in Heaven where we will enjoy uninterrupted happiness while eternities ages shall roll around us and my son if it pleases God to show you the light of his countenance reconciled through Jesus Christ our Lord."
In answer to a call from Louisiana governor Moore, on October 12, 1861, William H. Cross, a 36-year-old farmer and father of six living in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, enlisted at Camp Monroe, Louisiana in Captain W.A. Maddox's Militia Company ("Claiborne Invincible"). This company was enlisted into the Provisional Army of the Confederate States of America, 17th Regiment Louisiana Infantry; Corporal Cross was firsts assigned to Company K but reassigned to Company I early in 1862. He appears on all muster rolls until April-May 1862 when he was listed "Missing since the Battle on 6th Apl. At Shiloh." A neighbor in the unit retrieved W.H.'s pocket watch from a body after the battle and returned it to the family at the end of the war.
From W.H.'s last letter home, December 8, 1861, to his eldest son, John William Cross:
"My Son, this should be a lesson to you and should call to your mind that you too must die and life is so uncertain that you should prepare for that solemn hour before it comes for death has no respect to age... but more young persons die by far than old ones and if this was not so you have with you at all times, a friend that sticketh closer than a brother... let me enjoin you as your affectionate father, if we never meet again on earth, do, do try to meet me in Heaven where we will enjoy uninterrupted happiness while eternities ages shall roll around us and my son if it pleases God to show you the light of his countenance reconciled through Jesus Christ our Lord."
From W.H.'s last letter home, December 8, 1861, to his eldest son, John William Cross:
"My Son, this should be a lesson to you and should call to your mind that you too must die and life is so uncertain that you should prepare for that solemn hour before it comes for death has no respect to age... but more young persons die by far than old ones and if this was not so you have with you at all times, a friend that sticketh closer than a brother... let me enjoin you as your affectionate father, if we never meet again on earth, do, do try to meet me in Heaven where we will enjoy uninterrupted happiness while eternities ages shall roll around us and my son if it pleases God to show you the light of his countenance reconciled through Jesus Christ our Lord."
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