Taken from The Modern News, Thursday, August 17, 2000 Edition, Page 4, "Round The Town"

Cole-Peck families gather for reunion

Members of the Cole and Peck families recently gathered to dedicate monuments and conduct a memorial service for two former residents of Harrisburg who are buried in Holly Springs Cemetery.

William Archey Cole came to Harrisburg circa 1890, with his second wife, and thirteen children. He was an ex-Confederate soldier who volunteered for service in Company F, 26th Mississippi Infantry during the War of Secession. He fought in 21 battles and was honorably discharged after Lee's surrender in 1895.

William Archey Cole was born in Old Tishomingo County, Mississippi on March 15, 1840. He died here on May 26, 1919. He was the son of William Rodden Cole and Rebecca Fowler. He is survived by a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren who attended the service at Holly Springs.

Old soldiers, it is said, never die. Members of the Cole and Peck families believe it is important that their memories not be allowed to simply fade away, either. Former President Harry S. Trumann once said, "The only thing new is the history we've forgotten." Let us remember and celebrate the past, say the Coles and the Pecks, because it holds the key to our future.

Article Submitted by: Eric Sandifer, great-grandson, Baytown, TX
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WILLIAM (W.A.) "ARCHEY" COLE'S SERVICE IN COMPANY F, 26TH MISSISSIPPI VOLUNTEERS

Documents available from the National Archives include cards indicating three different dates of enlistment in two different locations:

Enlisted 01 November 1861 at Iuka, Mississippi for 3 years as Cole, William A. Private in Company F, 26th Regiment, Mississippi Volunteers

The Anna Terry Guards).

Last paid 30 June 1864.

Officially listed as Absent Without Leave since 08 February 1865. (This is most likely an error in the official record. Each of his enlistment records indicates he volunteered for 3 years of service. His 3-year commitment ended in December 1864—and his last payment record is dated 30 June 1864—6 months prior to the end of his 3-year commitment. Under "List of Engagements" appears a notation that William A. Cole was "later detached with 32nd Miss." He may have continued to serve, but in a different unit—and therefore could have been listed as absent with his previous unit, Company F, 26th Regiment, Mississippi Volunteers.)

Enlisted 01 December 1861 at Corinth, Mississippi for 3 years as Cole, William A.

Private in Company F, 26th Regiment, Mississippi Volunteers.

Enlisted 26 December 1861 at Corinth, Mississippi for 3 years as Cole, William A. He stated his age as 25 years (but would have actually been 21. William Archillus or Archibald (W. A.) "Archey" Cole was born in March 1840 in Old Tishomingo County, Mississippi) and married. "Archey" Cole married Lucinda Harden on 08 December 1859 in Old Tishomingo County, Mississippi. Their only child, William Jefferson "Will" Cole was born 03 October 1861. So Lucinda Harden was presumably alive on 26 December 1861, and did not die in childbirth.

The list of engagements:

Perryville
Murphreesborough
Fort Donelson 13-15 February 1862
Fort Donelson—absent when the Fort was surrendered on 16
February 1862

Skirmish, Willow Springs, 03 May 1863
Baker's Creek, 16 May 1863
Jackson, Mississippi 09-16 July 1863
Battle of the Wilderness 05-06 May 1864
Tally's Mill 10 May 1864
Spotsylvania Court House 12 May 1864
Hanover Junction 23 May 1864
Cold Harbor 2-3 June 1864
Gaines' Mill 5-13 June 1864
In front of Petersburg 04 July-17 August 1864
Weldon RR 18-19 August 1864
In front of Petersburg 20 August-29 September 1864
Fort McRae 01 October 1864
Skirmish 02 October 1864
Hatcher's Run 27 October 1864
Jarrett's Station 10 December 1864
Jarrett's Station 06 February 1865