Asa Hartz, Johnson's Island (Federal Prison), Lake Erie, to Miss A., 1863
- Containers:
- Box 1, Folder 7
- Scope and content:
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Decided to write to her, though he does not know her, when Colonel W. read parts of her letter to him; has let his imagination wander to think of his home in the South, and wishes "this cruel war was over"; has amused himself by coaxing a rat of his hole and then throwing Colonel W.'s toothbrush at him; joined the Confederate Army with the notion "that it was a mighty funny thing; that there was a good joke in it somewhere amp; that I was the Columbus to discover it"; finally "found the joke -- [through] curiosity morbid curiosity" when he stumbled upon a group of Union troops who pressed him to go with them, and so became a prisoner; asks her not to mention that he wishes to go back again; describes an "exchange" ceremony (a funeral); closes with poetry that makes clear his desire to receive a letter from somone back in Dixie.
Access and use
- Location of collection:
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Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem LibraryCollege of William and Mary400 Landrum DrivePO 8795Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
- Contact for questions and access:
- Email: spcoll@wm.eduPhone: (757) 221-3090Fax: (757) 221-5440Web: swem.wm.edu/scrc
- Parent restrictions:
- Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
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