Civil War Homefront Letter, 1863

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Dr.
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 26041-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
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.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Civil War Homefront Letter, Ms1989-079, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract:
Letter from "A. [L.?]" to "My Dear Husband," written during the American Civil War, regarding the recent theft of one of their hogs and the capture and whipping of two suspected thieves by the patrol.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Civil War Homefront Letter, Ms1989-079, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a single letter signed by "A. [L.?]" and written to "My Dear Husband" during the American Civil War. The writer reports that one of the family's hogs had recently been stolen and describes her efforts in tracking the thieves. "It was killed in the pen and taken out and Caried all through the Negroes fields down toward the bay," she writes. Unable to track any farther, she enlisted the assistance of two neighbors, asking them to ride patrol and search. "[T]hey did," she writes, "... and found Jack and Silvey with some in the Pot and when I sertched I found some of a small shote in Duncan house." She then comments that the patrol captured and whipped Jack and Duncan, who implicated one another in the theft. She advises that they "better keep Jack off of the Place as he is ... spoiling the young Negros." She then asks for her husband's advice regarding the killing of a bull and notes that much property has recently been sold in the area. "Negores sold very high," she writes. She finishes by briefly sharing news of several people, presumably family and neighbors. The letter is accompanied by a transcript.

Acquisition information:
The Civil War Homefront Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Processing information:

The processing and description of the Civil War Homefront Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard