Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Andrew Reid Venable Papers, 1862. Accession 22231. Personal Papers Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Mrs. Reid Venable, Richmond, Virginia, 30 March 1944.

Biographical Information

Andrew Reid Venable was born 2 December 1832 at Vineyard in Prince Edward County, Virginia, to Samuel Woodson Venable (1797-1855) and Jane Reid Venable. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney in 1852 and travelled west. Venable settled in St. Louis, Missouri, and became a successful businessman. There he met an army officer named Jeb Stuart (1833-1864) and the two became good friends. He also met Adeline Hackney Stevens, niece of the governor of Maryland and his future wife. When the Civil War began, Venable returned to Virginia and joined the Richmond Howitzers, serving in action. In the summer of 1862, he was appointed captain and assistant commissary of subsistence for the 1st Regiment, Virginia Artillery. After the battle of Chancellorsville, Venable was promoted to major and transferred to Stuart's staff as assistant adjutant and inspector-general of the cavalry corps. He served on Stuart's staff until the latter's death 11 May 1864. Venable then served on the staff of General Wade Hampton who succeeded Stuart commanding the cavalry corps. Venable was captured at the battle of Hatcher's Run 27 October 1864. Being transferred from Old Capitol prison in Washington D.C. to Fort Delaware, Venable made his escape near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Southern sympathizers in Philadelphia hid him. Adeline Stevens met him in Philadelphia, and the two were married. Venable returned south and served until the end of the war. After the war, he returned to Prince Edward County and farmed. He and his wife had six children. Venable died 15 October 1909 at Millwood in Prince Edward County.

Scope and Content

Papers, July-December 1862, of Andrew Reid Venable (1832-1909), captain and assistant commissary of subsistence, 1st Regiment, Virginia Artillery, Confederate Army, consisting of absracts, accounts, invoices, receipts, reports, returns, statements, and vouchers relevant to his duties and responsibilities as commissary officer.