The Branscomb family (the name is also spelled Branscom) lived in Macon County, Alabama and had moved from Abbeville County, South Carolina in the 1840s. Bennett Hill (1803-1881) and Eliza Belotte Branscomb (1805-1897) had eight children. Four sons of served as privates in the 3rd Alabama Infantry, and three died in the Confederate service. John Wesley Branscomb (1829-1886) served in Co. L, the “Dixie Eagles.” He was wounded early in the war and later was assigned to work in a military hospital. William Henry Branscomb (1831-1862), James Zachariah Branscomb (1838-1864), and Lewis Sylvester Branscomb (1843-1864) all served in Co. D, the “Southern Rifles.” William died of measles on June 15, 1862. James was killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania, May 19, 1864. Lewis was killed at Harpers Ferry on July 4, 1864. Many of the letters included here were written by William, James, or Lewis Branscomb to their sister, Lucinda Carolina Branscomb (1826-1913).