This collection consists of copies of 2 of the 6 tablet Civil War memoirs written by W.E. Mathews. His “Memories of the War 1862-1865” provides a detailed account of the organization of the 33rd Alabama and unit activities in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia and includes engagements at Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and the defense of Atlanta. The heading of each manuscript is entitled “Partial Roster of the Dale County Grays or Company B 33rd Ala Regiment, Lowrey’s Brigade, Clebourn’s Division, Hardee’s afterwards, Cheatham’s Corps, Army of the Tennessee, C.S.A.

It appears that Mathews wrote a manuscript for each of his children. The manuscript dated August 8, 1882 was addressed to Robert Preston while the one dated August 9, 1882 was to E.B. Preston and is referred to by the title “The Yellow Ribbon”. The memoirs are not identical with slight variations in content existing between the two manuscripts. The Yellow Ribbon contains genealogic information on the Mathews and Preston families.