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Robert C. Towles Diary, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Collection consists of a typescript of the diary of Sgt. Robert C. Towles, Company A, 4th Virginia Cavalry, Confederate Army, from August 5, 1863-June 20, 1864. It was kept while Towles was a prisoner of the Union Army in Warrenton, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The diary also details his escape from Carroll Prision, an annex to the Old Capitol Prison, in Washington D.C.
The collection also includes a typed copy of his furlough, dated November 14, 1863, which was signed by Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart. There is also undated correspondence from Towles' father John and mother Sophronia that inform Towles of the deaths of his brothers John H. Towles (d. May 9, 1864) and John Vivian Towles. John Vivian Towles' eulogy, written by a "Comrade" for a "Richmond paper," is also included. Robert C. Towles' wounding and death is described in correspondence to "Mrs. Towles" from Sallie Y. Conner dated 13 June 1864, and Mrs. Towles' nephew "Jno Wm" dated 16 June 16, 1864. The three Towles brothers were interred at Oakland Cemetery in Louisa County, Virginia.
Description enchancement by Robert Browne, SCRC volunteer, November 13, 2019
Robert C. Towles was born September 6, 1843. He enlisted in Co. A, 4th Cavalry and was detached as a scout for Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart from May to June 1863. He was captured August 3, 1863, but escaped from Old Capitol Prison. He was mortally wounded at Louisa Courthouse around June 13, 1864.
These typscript copies could not be compared to the original diary for veracity. According to a handwritten note attached to the copies, they were made from the original "loaned by James Wharton of Weems, Virginia." Weems was a regional historian.
This diary typescript does not track with the version reprinted in Keith Kehlbeck's 2013 book, Gone to God: A Civil War Family's Ultimate Sacrifice. Kehlbeck states that Towles' mother Sophronia made "several handwritten copies of Robert's diary ... for each surviving sibling. The original diary survives, as do three copies in [her] handwriting." Kehlbeck notes Sophronia Towles edited out "a few of the more exuberant escapades..." (192). Per Kehlbeck's Acknowledgements, he obtained an "original transcription" of the diary at auction.
Materials include Towles' diary, correspondence from and concerning him, as well as a eulogy for his brother John Vivian Towles.