Joseph Rule 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:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish material from Joseph Rule Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Joseph Rule Letter, Ms2018-011, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Rule, Joseph
Abstract:
Letter written by Joseph Rule from his camp at Petersburg, Virginia, December 15th, 1864 to his friend Silas. Letter details Rule's Company B, 50th New York Engineers involvement in the December, 1864 raid on the Weldon Railroad which was a major supply line for Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Joseph Rule Letter, Ms2018-011, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains a letter written by Joseph Rule from his camp at Petersburg, Virginia, December 15th, 1864 to his friend Silas. The letter details Rule's Company B, 50th New York Engineers involvement in the December, 1864 raid on the Weldon Railroad which was a major supply line for Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Rule writes that they had plenty to eat from the surrounding countryside including turkey, chicken, geese, and pigs. Applejack was drank by some cavalry and infantrymen accompanying the engineers. The engineers, including Rule, tore up 21 miles of track on the Weldon Railroad. On their return march they burned every house and barn on their way in retaliation. Rule writes, "I dont think that we would of burnt anything if the Rebbels had not brutily murdered some of our men on the line of march."

Acquisition information:
The Joseph Rule Letter was purchased by Special Collections in February 2016.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Joseph Rule Letter was completed in September, 2018.