David Cunningham Letter, 1865

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

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Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], David Cunningham Letter, Ms1989-060, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Cunningham, David (Union soldier)
Abstract:
Letter from David Cunningham, a Union soldier during the American Civil War, written at Berkley's Station, Virginia to Mrs. A. E. Young on April 26, 1865, informing her that reports of his death are false, probably spread by local Copperheads.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], David Cunningham Letter, Ms1989-060, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a single letter written by David Cunningham, a Union soldier during the American Civil War. Written at "Berkley's Station," Virginia (probably today's Berkeley, West Virginia) on April 26, 1865, the letter is addressed to Cunningham's friend, Mrs. A. E. Young. Cunningham informs Young that the report of his and Joseph's (probably Joseph Young) deaths is false, probably spread by a local Copperhead. "[H]oo ever it was," Cunningham writes, "pleas tell him to at tend to his one bisness us Soldiers Can at tend to our one wee now hoo gets killed and hoo dont." The writer continues by predicting dark times for the Copperheads ("thay ar played out as well as the war ..."), then expresses regret for the tears shed over his supposed death.

Biographical / historical:

David Cunningham was a Union soldier during the American Civil War. The letter does not contain enough information to definitively identify him, but the mention of Reedsville within the letter suggests that he was most likely the David Cunningham buried in Church Hill Cemetery, Reedsville (Mifflin County), Pennsylvania. This David Cunningham was born in Ireland in 1842. Following the death of his father, David Cunningham immigrated with his mother and siblings to the United States. During the Civil War, he served as a corporal in Company H, 184th Pennsylvania Infantry, mustering out with the company on August 3, 1865. The 1870 census lists 26-year-old Ireland native named David Cunningham living in Mifflin County with wife Mary and two young children. The census lists "axe grinder" as Cunningham's occupation. David Cunningham died on August 27, 1874.

Acquisition information:
The David Cunningham Letter was purchansed by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Processing information:

The David Cunningham Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard