William R. Altizer Letter,

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:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish material from William R. Altizer Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: William R. Altizer Letter, Ms2011-099, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Altizer, William R., b.1826(?)-1863
Abstract:
The collection includes a letter by William Altizer to Virginia Governor Letcher in 1862, requesting to be detailed as a blacksmith in his home town.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: William R. Altizer Letter, Ms2011-099, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of one letter from William R. Altizer to Governor Letcher, August 22, 1862. Altizer wrote to Letcher for permission "to do the Blacksmithing in [his] kneighborhood at the request of its sitazans." A note on the verso side indicates the request was forwarded to Major General John Floyd.

Biographical / historical:

William R. Altizer was born about 1826 in Virginia. He married Nancy Epperly (1831-1916) in 1852 and seems to have spent most of his life farming in Montgomery and Floyd Counties. Together, they had six children: Henry A. (b. 1952); Margaret A. (1855-1898?), who later married Tazwell Walters; Daniel M. (1865-1926), who later married a woman named Cordelia; Rufus T. (b. abt. 1860-1941), who married Lula Tice; Jesse (b. abt. 1861); and William H. (1863-1870).

In April 1862, William and his brother Riley enlisted with Company D, 63rd Regiment, Virginia Infantry. Although Altizer requested to be detailed as a blacksmith for his home town, records suggest his request was denied. He died from disease and was buried in Atlanta, December 1863.

Sources:
  • Ancestry.com
  • Weaver, Jeffrey C. 63rd Virginia Infantry. H. E. Howard, Inc.: Lynchburg, Va., 1991.

Acquisition information:
Special Collections purchased the William R. Altizer Letter in September 2011.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the William R. Altizer Letter was completed in October 2011.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged by material type.

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Civil War