Muster rolls Co D , 18th Misssissippi Cavalry as private July 1, 1863 Tippah Co, Ms
Present May1-Dec 31, 1864 and Jan 1 , 1865- surrender at Citronelle, Ala by Lt Gen R Taylor CSA to Maj Gen E R S Canby USA May 4, 1865. Capt A G Mills Commanding Co D, 18th Regiment Miss Calvary Volunteers

The correct spelling of his last name was that of his father who was a Mississippi Conscript( Russell J. Ayres). Correctly spelled AYRES. William served in 18th Mississippi Calvary and did not know how to spell or write and several documents all have his last name misspelled by whoever wrote the documents. This caused problems with him receiving his pension which he fought with the USA War Dept for seven years. William finally received his first pension check five days after his death on March 26, 1919. His children and heirs signed it over for debt he had incurred as an old farmer.