On May 5th, 1861, William Parker of Smyrna, Delaware, writes to his girlfriend, who is also in Smyrna. He has just joined the First Regiment Delaware Volunteer Infantry and this is his first letter to her. He admits that he joined the army mainly because he could not find a job. The letter expresses his initial thoughts about the war and his farewells to Mollie for what he hopes will be a short separation. Source: William Parker Letters. Delaware Historical Society Collections.