Joshua Early Preston appears on the 1860 census of Monroe County AL as an attorney, age 21. He served as Sgt Major of the 42nd Alabama Regiment.
Thomas P Preston does not appear on the 1860 census in Alabama, but enlisted at Camden (Wilcox County AL) as 2nd Lieut of Co C, 42nd Alabama Regiment. He was promoted 1st Lieut and mortally wounded at Resaca GA, May 15, 1864. He died there in a Federal field hospital, June 8, 1864.