The collection is open for research.
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Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Bauserman Family Letters , Ms2010-016, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The Bauserman Family Letters were donated to Special Collections in 2007.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Bauserman Family Letters commenced and were completed in March 2010.
Raphael C. Bauserman was born on January 1, 1837 and died on May 5, 1912. He had a fair complexion, gray eyes, and black hair. On May 1, 1862, he enlisted as a Private in the Confederate 12th Virginia Cavalry, Company K of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He served until April 20, 1965 when he was paroled at Mt. Jackson. During his military career, he lost a horse appraised at $550 at Brandy Station on June 9, 1863. Additionally, he was AWOL between January and February and between July and August of 1865. On January 21, 1891, Raphael married Sarah F. Lindamood; their children include Mary Frances, Vernie Virginia, and Harry H.
Erasmus Bauserman was born on March 18, 1842 and died on February 14, 1913. He was 5'11 and like his brother had a fair complexion, gray eyes, and black hair. On September 22, 1862, he joined his brother's unit, enlisting at Woodstock, Virginia. During his military career, he was AOWL between January and February 1864. On April 20, 1865, he was paroled at Mt. Jackson. Erasmus married Mary C. Funkhouser on September 14, 1871; they had a son named Charles Casper.
These two brothers were born to Reuben (died in 1860) and Mary Bauserman (born on March 17, 1814 and died on December 27, 1886).Other siblings include Robert Alexander, Elizabeth A, Sarah, Mary F, and John 0. The family resided in what is now known as the "Harry Bauserman Home" located in Jackson, Virginia. The house was built in 1818 and bought by Reuben Bauserman in 1850. The house was willed to Mary, then to Raphael, and then to his son, Harry.
Both brothers served in Virginia's 12th Cavalry, which was assembled in the summer of 1862, drawing men from across ten counties within Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Over the course of three years, the unit engaged Union troops over a hundred times, including participating in the Second Battle of Bull Run.
External sources:
"Bauserman Cemetery." VAGenWeb. Shenandoah County GenWeb Project, 30 Oct. 2000. Web. 26 Mar. 2010. http://www.vagenweb.org/shenandoah/bausrmn.html
Frye, Dennis E.
"Shenandoah County Marriage Records - Barr - Benner." Shenandoah County VAGenWeb. Shenandoah County GenWeb Project, 14 Feb. 2007. Web. 02 Apr. 2010. https://www.vagenweb.org/shenandoah/marriage-record/marrba2.html
"Shenandoah County Marriage Records - Clem, J. Phil - Coffman, Erasmus."Shenandoah County VAGenWeb. Shenandoah County GenWeb Project, 14 Feb. 2007. Web. 02 Apr. 2010. https://www.vagenweb.org/shenandoah/marriage-record/marrc2.html
Smith, A. D.
"The Harry Bauserman Home." Shenandoah County VAGenWeb. Shenandoah County GenWeb Project, 15 Oct. 2001. Web.02 Apr. 2010. http://www.vagenweb.org/shenandoah/hom/S_hbausr.html
This collection consists of three letters written by both Raphael C. and Erasmus Bauserman to their mother, sisters, and brothers while they served as Confederate Privates for Virginia's 12th Cavalry, Company K in the American Civil War.
The first letter is dated September 9, 1861. Written by Raphael, he mentions his family traveling to Winchester, Virginia.
The second letter is written by Raphael from a camp near Richmond, Virginia; it is dated June 6, 1864. It details the health of his unit, fighting conditions, and company rations.
The third letter is written by both brothers from a camp near Culpeper, Virginia; it is dated August 12, 1865. In this letter, the brothers talk about horses.
The collection is arranged chronologically.
See in the Rare Book Collection: Frye, Dennis E.
The guide to the Bauserman Family Letters by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).