William Preston (Kentucky soldier)

William Preston
Born(1816-10-16)October 16, 1816
Louisville, Kentucky
DiedSeptember 21, 1887(1887-09-21) (aged 70)
Louisville, Kentucky
Buried
Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville
AllegianceUnited States of America
Confederate States of America
Service / branchKentucky Militia
United States Army
Confederate States Army
Years of service1846–1848
1861–1865 (CSA)
Rank Lieutenant Colonel (USV)
Brigadier General (CSA)
Unit4th Regiment Kentucky Volunteers
CommandsPreston's Brigade
Preston's Division
Battles / warsMexican–American War
American Civil War
RelationsPreston Brown (grandson)
Wickliffe Draper (grandson)
Other worklawyer, politician, diplomat
William Preston
15th United States Minister to Spain
In office
March 12, 1859  May 24, 1861
Preceded byAugustus C. Dodge
Succeeded byCarl Schurz

William Preston III (October 16, 1816 – September 21, 1887) was an American lawyer, politician, and ambassador. He also was a brigadier general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.