Harold S. Wilson Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Old Dominion University
3023 Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library
Old Dominion University
4427 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jessica Ritchie
Phone: (757) 683-4483
Fax: (757) 683-5954
Restrictions:

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Harold S. Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 1, Congressional, 1856-1863, Harold S. Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 2, Four Confederate Soldiers Correspondence and Tributes, 1861-1863, 1935, Harold S. Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 3, Walter L. Fontaine and Brown Correspondence, 1813-1876, Harold S. Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 4, Miscellaneous, 1916, 1978, Harold S. Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
0.20 Linear Feet and One half Hollinger document case boxes
Creator:
Wilson, Harris S.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Harold S. Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 1, Congressional, 1856-1863, Harold S. Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 2, Four Confederate Soldiers Correspondence and Tributes, 1861-1863, 1935, Harold S. Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 3, Walter L. Fontaine and Brown Correspondence, 1813-1876, Harold S. Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 4, Miscellaneous, 1916, 1978, Harold S. Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes material related to personal experiences and tributes of Confederate soldiers in Virginia Companies collected by Harold S. Wilson, a professor in the Department of History. Topics include primary accounts of Virginia battles, daily soldier life, military morale, and southern ideologies,

Two letters written to South Carolina Senator Preston Brooks who wounded Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner in May 1856 over derogatory comments made by Sumner about the South and Brook's uncle. Within the same month, two men wrote to Preston Brooks commending his actions. One was W.F Flobines of Maybington, South Carolina and the other by John Swanson of Georgia both encouraging the behavior and wished more people would have proactively dealt with abolitionists in the same manner.

Joseph R. Cabell, 23 years of age served in a Virginia Regiment, died after being wounded in battle near Drury's Bluff. His body was brought to Danville a few days before publication; however, publication title and date of the obituary is unknown. It acknowledged his service started in 1861 and his notable combat experience in Gettysburg in 1863.

Jos T. Cosby was a soldier of the 23rd Regiment of Virginia and wrote comprehensively to his family from January 10, 1861 to December 31, 1862 with a letter from the company to the father in November 17, 1862 regarding his discharge the previous year. The original organization of the letters were typed not in any particular order but arranged systematically with numbers in the upper right corner. This was changed to chronological with the first letter being written by a family member to his mother concerning the ideology behind the start of the Civil War. He wrote to his father Robert Sr. and brother Robert Jr. about marches and asked for money and supplies because the army was unable to provide. Wrote his sister Mary extensively about his experiences, battles engaged, and the beautiful scenery (which helps the researcher in locating his company). His letters mentions of family friend William Pendleton, March of Buffalo Gap in June 1861, retreat of the March of Laurel August 1861, Battle of Mannass August 1861, passing by prisoner Senator Mason Pendleton in December 1861, general soldier morale, camp rules, southern ideologies, an account of Confederate plans of Jackson stolen by the enemy in 1862 and inquires about his personal farm.

Wm H. Farrabee of 5th Regiment of Stafford County writes to friend Charley who had left the company some time ago. Dated March 1, 1863, it describes his company's daily life and war morale and mentions being at Camp Franklin.

James C. Reed eulogy given by Rev. W. Albert D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) on January 8, 1935 titled "He Kept the Faith: A Tribute of Appreciation." It gives admiration for Dr. Reed on his relentless positivity even through the Depression Era and devotion to the church. He became a successful pastor following his father's footsteps with Rev. Albert being one of his many followers. The eulogy also notes his devotion to the Confederate Army ranking as Sergeant of the Bedford Artillery by time of his discharge and receiving a soldier's reward, featuring his portrait.

Notice of debt paid to Walter L. Fontaine in 1813 and a letter written to a Mr. Bentley from R.F Scruggs concerning the Fontaine estate in 1876. Harold S. Wilson did a paper on the Fontaine Maury family. Walter L. Fontaine was a soldier in the Confederate Army.

A promise to pay a loan in the amount of $500 to a John J. Brown from February 14, 1865 to December 15, 1867. Mentioned in the notice is the town of Buckingham and includes an envelope copy addressed Mr. S.S. Brown of Buckingham County, Virginia. The notice is signed by R.B Shan and D.S. Parrack D.C.

To Mr. B.M. Brown from J.R Phillips dated March 31, 1875 from Ingleside. It mentions a J.J. Clairbourn and Jenny Meadran.

Various contents found include a photo of Carter Glass, newspaper publisher and politician from Lynchburg, Virginia; notes on gathering the collection by sources, including phone numbers, addresses, significant values of the collection and where originals may be found. January 31, 1978 is noted as possible collection date for the Brown papers. People mentioned in the notes as possible contributors are Dr. Hamilton, Sandy Harrall, Ms. Turnstall, Dr. Wilson, and Zelda Zimmerman.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. Harold S. Wilson received his doctorate at Emory University in 1966 and is currently a professor of History at Old Dominion University. He has written several publications including an article about Matthew Fontaine Maury, a relative of William L. Fontaine. Other publications consist of books, editorials and book and manuscript reviews on topics such as Civil War, southern culture and the Progressive Era.

Note written by Sonia Yaco

Acquisition information:

Harold S. Wilson

Gift. Accession #A77-20

Processing information:

The collection was processed and finding aid created by Sonia Yaco, Special Collections Librarian, in 2009.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard