John Ewing, Soldier, Civil War Letter, 1862

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia and Regional History Center
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Restrictions:

No special access restriction applies.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], John Ewing, Soldier, Civil War Letter, A&M 3777, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
0.01 Linear Feet Summary: 1 item (8 pages in 1 folder)
Creator:
Ewing, John
Abstract:
Letter of John Ewing, Corporal of the 16th Ohio Infantry, to his wife and children, written from the Kanawha Valley in the vicinity of Charleston, (West) Virginia (2 November 1862). Ewing writes that he is in good health and describes recent encounters with Confederate troops. He describes in detail his experience as a Confederate prisoner, including a time he saw a "Company" of Indians with the Confederates. He also remarks on the opinions, mood, and character of the Confederate soldiers he met while in captivity. Ewing writes about conditions and happenings at the Union camp where he was currently stationed. The collection includes a transcript of the letter.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], John Ewing, Soldier, Civil War Letter, A&M 3777, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Letter of John Ewing, Corporal of the 16th Ohio Infantry, to his wife and children, written from the Kanawha Valley in the vicinity of Charleston, (West) Virginia (2 November 1862).

Ewing reports himself in good health and describes recent encounters with Confederate troops, including a skirmish with Jenkin's cavalry and the burning of several government buildings.

He also describes in detail his experiences as a Confederate prisoner. He writes that he and other Union prisoners were treated decently, although they were given little food. Ewing also says he saw a "Company" of Indians with the Confederates. He describes engaging in debates with Confederate soldiers about the war, and remarks on the opinions, mood, and character of the Confederate soldiers he met, basing his observations on their states of origin. He also provides a list of the units he encountered while a prisoner.

Ewing describes conditions and happenings in the Union camp where he was currently stationed, inquires about the behavior and schooling of his children, and mentions that spies were being held prisoner in the camp. Closing comments regard clothing supplies, sickness in the camp, and the speed of mail delivery.

Includes transcript of letter.

Physical location:
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: West Virginia & Regional History Center
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard