William Alexander Cunningham, son of George and Susan Rieves Cunningham and brother-in-law of Cicero Fidello Turner, was born in Franklin County, North Carolina on January 29, 1843. On June 8, 1861, at the age of 18, he enlisted as a private in Company E of the 9th Regiment, North Carolina State Troops (1st Regiment, North Carolina Cavalry), in Granville County, North Carolina, for the duration of the war. Wounded in the right leg and captured on June 9, 1863, at Brandy Station, he was admitted to the Prince Street U.S.A. General Hospital at Alexandria, Virginia on June 10, 1863 and the Lincoln U.S.A. General Hospital at Washington, D.C. on August 4, 1863. On August 22, 1863, he was transferred to Baltimore, Maryland, where he was paroled on August 23, 1863 and delivered at City Point, Virginia on August 24, 1863. Following his exchange, he was reported first at Petersburg Hospital and then later at home, wounded in the leg. William is listed on the Roll of Honor for his service during the battle at Brandy Station, Virginia.
