This collection consists of three Civil War era letters (1862-1863) from Confederate soldier Thomas M. Wade, Jr. to his sister Lou, written while he was serving as a Private in the 1st Rockbridge Artillery Battery. Topics include daily camp life, personal news, and brief references to Stonewall Jackson and the battle at Antietam (Sharpsburg), Maryland. The collection also includes one post-war photograph of Wade (circa 1875).
Thomas Morrell Wade, Jr. was born in 1842 in Lexington, Virginia to Thomas M. Wade and Mary Bear. In March 1862 he enlisted in the 1st Rockbridge Artillery Regiment, serving until the end of the Civil War. In subsequent years he held a number of positions, among them Treasurer at VMI (1872-1882) and Commissioner of the Revenue for the city of Lexington. Wade married Minnie Lee O'Rork in March 1901 and the couple had two children, Thomas and Louise. He died in April 1928 and is buried in Stonewall Jackson Cemetery, Lexington.
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Thomas M. Wade, Jr. collection, 1862-1875. MS 0474. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.
Camp near Port Republic
June 14th, 1862
Dear Lou
As we are settled for a short time I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know I am still in the land of the living, but don't know how long I will be if "Old Jack" keeps us running about as much as he has done lately. I came near giving out coming from Charlestown to Harrisonburg. If it had not been for fear of the yanks taking me prisoner I would certainly have stopped on the road side. I just came from Weyers Cave. Don't think much of it, going as we had to go with a great crowd of soldiers & with a few candles, it was very muddy in there too.
Just received an order from Genl Jackson recommending a part of this day to be observed as a day for prayer & divine service & suspension of all military operations from three o'clock p.m. Revd. [Jas] Thompson has just arrived & Capt. Poague has got him to preach for us this evening. [Johnson] has just come in our shelter says tell you to send him that gingham shirt & 1 pr. drawers & other clothes he sent for. I have some twill cotton in my trunk, make me a pair of drawers. Also make up my other pair of pants. There is a small piece of flannel in the trunk to stripe them. Send them by some reliable person. I got ten dollars from McCrum when he was down. I will write on order for Mr. Hopkins to pay it.
I saw Mr. Humphries in Charlestown. One of the citizens told me his mind had been partially impaired by the exciting times.
There is a great many citizens from Rockbridge down here. Looks something like home to see so many. I must close as I have to go to cooking dinner.
Your affectionate brother,
Thos. M. Wade
I thought this order was necessary to act as a voucher.
Written from Port Republic, Virginia. Letter regards troop travel, a visit to Weyers Cave, and life in camp.
Kernstown
October 4th, 1862
Dear Lou
I arrived at this place yesterday evening. Left Scottsville last Thursday week, had a very pleasant time over there. I think I must have gained 8 or 10 lbs in weight while there. I wrote to you from Ben's just after I got there. Received a letter from you which was written about the same time mine was.
I stopped in Harrisonburg several days on my way down. Had hard work to get away from the girls. Only a portion of our Battery is at this place, the rest of it is with the army. I supposed we will go down tomorrow. The company suffered very much in the late battle of Sharpsburg. Lost about 12 horses in consequence of which this portion had to come back to the rear. We are going to get 2 large 20 lb parrot gun in a day or two. Every thing is quiet below. We are camped in sight of the battlefield of Kernstown. The weather is much cooler down here than it was in eastern Virginia. Horace has gone to Leesburg to join his regiment. I asked the Captain about the letter sent by Mr. Preston but he knows nothing of it.
5th
I put off finishing this letter until this morning. We are just about to move off to the army about 16 miles below. Has J & Ma started to Scottsville yet? Smallpox has broken out in Winchester. All the sick have been sent away. Has the Col. & Lady got back yet? Mr. Dawson saw them in Richmond. The wind blew very hard last night & pretty cold too, begin to feel like winter. Has George Chapin started for the army yet & what company is he going to join. I heard some one say they saw Sam F. a week ago.
I must close, love to all.
Your affectionate Bro.
Thomas M. Wade
Written from Kernstown, Virginia. Letter regards travel to Kernstown, life in camp, and family news.
Camp at Blue Run Church
August 12, 1863
Dear Lou
I received the bundle & letter by Jim Compton yesterday, also a letter from Annie & as Mr. Dandridge a member of our company is going to Rockbridge on furlough I thought I would
answer by him. Please don't send any more clothes. I have more than I can carry now. I had to ride to Orange C.H. for that bundle. I saw Sam, he is quite well. I think Jones Cavalry is at Brandy Station. I did not know Annie was with you until I received her letter. I am sorry she is not at home so she could come & see me, or send me some eatables, although we are living pretty well now. We draw corn & buttermilk sometimes.
I don't think we will have a fight for the next month. All is very quiet along the lines. As Dandridge is going right away I have not time to write longer. He did not know he was going until about 20 minutes ago.
I will write again soon. My love to all.
Your affect. Bro.,
Thomas M. Wade
P.S. Your letter was directed right for the first time I believe.
Written from "Camp at Blue Run Church," Virginia. Letter regards family news and life in camp.