Dave,

There were three men named William Barnes who served in the 1st Florida Cavalry (U.S.). Do you know which company he was in?

Here's what I have on the three:

William W. Barnes, Company A, enlisted at Barrancas on 3/15/64 as a private. Born in 1828 in Dale County, Alabama. 5'9", fair complexion, blue eyes, dark hair. Mustered out at Tallahassee on 11/17/1865.

William Barnes, Company C, enlisted at Barrancas on 4/15/64 as a private. Born in 1838 in Tolbert County, Georgia. 5'8", fair complexion, blue eyes, light hair. Deserted on 8/12/1865 (after the war).

William Barnes, Company D, enlisted at Barrancas on 3/26/64 as a private. Promoted to corporal on 4/1/1864. Promoted to sergeant on 8/9/1864. Born in 1837 in Monroe County, Alabama. 6', fair complexion, blue eyes, light hair. Wounded on 12/17/1864 in Henry County, Alabama, leg amputated. Died of wounds on 12/27/1864.

The widows of these men (if they were married) may have later filed for U.S. pensions. These usually provide a lot of information on their post-war lives.

Best,
Dale