James L. Merritt letters

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions

Terms of access:

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

James L. Merritt letters, 1864. MS 0337. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
2 items
Creator:
Merritt, James L. (James Love), 1845-1911
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

James L. Merritt letters, 1864. MS 0337. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of two letters from Cadet James L. Merritt to his father. The letter dated November 24, 1863 discusses school expenses, mentions the Corps being called to defend against Averell's raids, and reports dissatisfaction with VMI (complains of hunger, gets " beef, irish potatoes, milk" only).

The letter dated May 16, 1864 was written on the day after the Battle of New Market and describes being wounded, action on battlefield, and mentions Cadets Norborne C. Lewis (Class of 1867) and John A. Crichton (Class of 1866). The letter was possibly written from the Bushong House near the battlefield. Includes envelope addressed to W.H.E. Merritt, Lawrenceville, Brunswick County, Virginia.

Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses school expenses, mentions the Corps being called to defend against Averell's raids, and reports dissatisfaction with VMI (complains of hunger, gets " beef, irish potatoes, milk" only).

Written from New Market, Virginia. Letter described the Battle of New Market, being wounded, action on battlefield, and mentions Cadets Norborne C. Lewis (Class of 1867) and John A. Crichton (Class of 1866).

Biographical / historical:

James Love Merritt, from Lawrenceville, Virginia, was born in September 1845. He was the son of W. H. E Merritt and Elizabeth Willis Goode. Merritt matriculated at VMI on August 6, 1863, and on May 15, 1864, he took part in the Battle of New Market, Virginia as a private in Cadet Company C. He was seriously wounded in the battle and did not return to the Institute.

Following the Civil War, he pursued a career in civil engineering and subsequently settled on his farm near Lawrenceville. Merritt never married. His closest relative was Howard Jeffries Merritt, a member of the VMI Class of 1868. He died at his home on March 18, 1911.

Physical / technical requirements:

The letter dated May 16, 1864 is written on a blank form that was used by cadets to report excuses for infractions to the VMI Commandant.

Physical location:
Manuscripts Stacks