Shenandoah County Letter, 1864

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 to 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], Shenandoah County Letter, Ms1996-010, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Abstract:
Letter from an unidentified, presumed Confederate soldier in Shenandoah County, Virginia, written on October 11, 1864, to his wife and children, providing his sons with instructions for sowing wheat and rye and describing a recent battle, probably the Battle of Tom's Brook.
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], Shenandoah County Letter, Ms1996-010, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a single letter, written by an unidentified, presumed Confederate soldier in Shenandoah County, Virginia, during the American Civil War. The letter is addressed to the writer's wife and children and provides instructions to his sons on sowing his lands in wheat and rye. He also briefly describes a recent battle (probably the Battle of Tom's Brook), referring to it as "an awful fight and stampeed [sic] ... one of the worst that I ever saw." He notes that "the Yankees got 27 fine beeves" from him and shares his opinion that "brandy will ruin this valley army."

Acquisition information:
The Shenandoah County Letter was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1996.
Processing information:

The processing and description of the Shenandoah County Letter commenced and was completed in October, 2023.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard