Michael G. Harman Papers 1861

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:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Michael G. Harman Papers, mss 00397, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Michael G. Harman Papers, mss 00397, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers consist of the Civil War letters (6 items; July-October 1861) of Lt. Col. Michael G. Harman, written from Headquarters, Staunton, Virginia, where Harman was Quartermaster. The letters were written primarily to General Henry R. Jackson, headquartered at Monterey. The correspondence concerns supplies of corn, clothing, horses and other items; transportation problems; and other Quartermaster Department problems.

Order to reinforce General Garnett.

Wagons and teams sent; corn & clothing needs; has 100 Yankee prisoners.

Regarding troop movements -- 52nd Virginia Infantry Regiment; Captain Otey's Company (Bedford County); Captain Morrison's Company (Rockbridge County).

Corn purchased; wagons & teams impressed from local farmers; transportation problems.

Sending teams; complains about organizational problems within QM Dept & asks for help; Harman will join his (52nd VA) Regiment soon.

Problem with horses unfit for service; too many men in hospital in Staunton, wants to use Rockbridge Baths to accommodate sick.

Biographical / historical:

Michael G. Harman was born in Augusta County, Virginia, in 1823. Prior to the Civil War he operated a stagecoach line and was the proprietor of a hotel. During the war years, he served as Confederate Quartermaster in Staunton, Virginia from April 1861 until January 1862; he was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the 52nd Virginia Infantry Regiment on August 19, 1861 and served in a dual capacity until resigning his commission as Quartermaster on January 8, 1862; he was elected Colonel of 52nd Virginia in May 1862; was wounded; resigned from the Army in June 1863 due to disability; and served as Quartermaster in Staunton until end of war. After 1865 he continued to operate his stage line, hotel and other businesses. He was member of the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors, 1865-1866. Harman died in 1877 and is buried in Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton, Virginia.

Arrangement:

The papers are arranged in chronological order.

Physical description:
The collection contains 6 items filed in one folder.