Isaac Norval Baker Memoirs 1863-1865

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:

Isaac Norval Baker Memoirs, mss 00357, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Isaac Norval Baker Memoirs, mss 00357, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of an original manuscript fragment (ca. 12 pages) and typewritten transcription (21 pages) describing Isaac Norval Baker's Civil War service as a Private in the Confederate Army's 18th Virginia Cavalry Regiment. Baker's language is descriptive and lively, and the account includes many vignettes that provide insight into the lives of both soldiers and civilians. The narrative covers the period June 1863-April 1865; topics include camp life, wartime hardships, battles (Gettysburg, Bristoe Campaign, third Battle of Winchester, Fisher's Hill), and the effects of war in Shenandoah Valley.

At Cumberland, Maryland; back to Virginia; scouting for horses; raid into Pennsylvania; on to Gettysburg.

The Battle of Gettysburg and aftermath; accompanying wagon train carrying dead and wounded; wagons under attack; at Williamsport, Maryland; back to Virginia.

Yankee scouting party; illness strikes (pneumonia and diphtheria); civilians hide Baker from Yankees; he walks home on "furlough."

Preparations for battle; third Battle of Winchester; comments about officers' mistakes; Fisher's Hill.

The end of the war; surrender and parole.

Biographical / historical:

Isaac Norval Baker was born October 8, 1844, and lived near Whitacre, Frederick County, Virginia. During the Civil War he served as a Private in Company F, 18th Virginia Cavalry Regiment. At the time of enlistment he was described as having a light complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes, 5' 7". After the war Baker practiced herbal medicine in Shenandoah and Frederick Counties (VA). He died December 6, 1924, in Frederick County and is buried in Redland Cemetery, Hampshire Co., West Virginia.

Physical description:
The collection consists of two items totaling 33 pages.