Joseph W. Parrish Civil War Letters 1861-1862

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968

Summary

Creator:
Mrs. Helen G. Pace and Cynthia Harrison Burton
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

There are six letters, 1861-1862, written by Joseph W. Parrish, a Confederate soldier in Richmondand Yorktown, Virginia, to his sister, Mary S. Parrish. In his letter of March 27, 1861, he discusses the city of Richmondin regard to secession, claims a large part of the delegates to be fools, and reveals that "the general impression is that Virginiawill ultimately secede," joining the other southern states, claiming that this would be the signal for war. On April 14, 1861, he mentions that possibility of his services being required in South Carolinaor elsewhere, and refers to the troops in Charlestowncapturing Fort Sumter. From Yorktown, he writes on June 8, 1861, commenting that "it is very doubtful whether I shall return to you all again, the position occupied by our Company is a perilous one and few will escape with life should we have a regular battle..." He mentions the proximity of the enemy, his joining Peyton's Artillery, and their battery of cannons on the brink of the York River. He reveals the hardships that the soldiers must endure, and his concern over the odds in battle. On April 10, 1862, writing from Yorktown, he expresses encouragement over the Confederate victories elsewhere and mentions skirmishes near the Naval Battery. On May 14, 1862, he writes from Richmond, having returned without having fought.

Acquisition information:
Accession #10305 was a gift to the Library by Mrs. Helen G. Pace of Charlottesville, Virginia, through O. Allan Gianniny, on December 4, 1978. Accession #10305-a was a gift to the Library by Ms. Cynthia Harrison Burton of Keswick, Virginia, on June 25, 1990.
Physical location:
Physical description:
6 items