Unionists in the Heart of Dixie includes information on the 1st Alabama Cavalry, USV. It also includes the most extensive collection of records and information ever published on the soldiers who served in this regiment. In some cases, a transcription of pension records and Southern Claims are included on some of the soldiers. The author has transcribed all of the military records, including muster rolls, on each of the soldiers. There is also a listing of soldiers by company. The questions most often asked of the author have been: "Who were these men? Why did they fight for the Union? What happened to them during and after the war?" The author has attempted to answer these questions; however, it is not known when some of the soldiers later died. Many descendants of these soldiers generously submitted stories on their 1st Alabama Cavalry Union ancestors (and their families) and most of them are extensive. This wealth of material, along with the transcription of all of the military records, will be presented in a series of volumes. Volume I will include surnames A-G. Ms. Ethel Waldrop Terrell, granddaughter of Corporal Thomas P. Kirkman of the 1st Alabama Cavalry, tells of her life growing up with her grandfather and great grandfather, Corporal William Fields Kirkman, their wagon train trip West, and many of their other experiences. Many pictures of these soldiers are also included, as well as several Civil War sketches done by artist, Joe Harper, descendant of Joseph Harper.