A Guide to the Silas Chandler letters, 1862-1865 Chandler, Silas, letters, 1862-1865 23984a

A Guide to the Silas Chandler letters, 1862-1865

A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 23984a


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© 2002 By the Library of Virginia.

Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Processed by: Trenton Hizer

Repository
Library of Virginia
Accession number
23984a
Title
Silas Chandler letters, 1862-1865.
Physical Characteristics
32 leaves (negative photostats).
Physical Location
Personal papers collection, acc. 23984a.
Language
English

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Silas Chandler letters, 1862-1865. Accession 23984a. Personal papers collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Lent for copying by Charles A. Taylor, Urbanna, Virginia, 29 May 1953.

Biographical/Historical Information

Born in 1830 in York County, Virginia, to James E. and Eliza A. White Chandler, Silas Chandler moved to Middlesex County, Virginia. When the Civil War began, he enlisted in Company B, 55th Virginia Infantry. Company B later was detached and made into Fleet's Artillery Company. Chandler was wounded at Antietam and later taken prisoner there. Exchanged, he fought at Chancellorsville and at Gettysburg, where he again was wounded. Chandler returned to the Army of Northern Virginia and served through the siege of Petersburg and surrendered at Appomattox Court House. After the war, Chandler returned to Middlesex County, where he was a farmer and an oysterman. He married Ann Elizabeth Gayle (1837- by 1880) on 28 December 1852. They had eight children. He married Mary C. Gayle (1842-1913) on 11 January 1881. Chandler died in April 1912.

Scope and Content Information

Letters, 1862-1865, of Silas Chandler (1830-1912) of Middlesex County, Virginia, to his wife Ann Elizabeth, consisting of: a) letter, 31 March 1862, discussing camp life and the anticipated movement of the unit; b) letter, 2 May 1862, detailing the army's preparation for meeting the enemy and asking his wife to write; c) letter, 20 June 1862, concerning army reorganization and the fighting which occurred during the Peninsular Campaign; d) letter, 7 May 1863, concerning the battle of Chancellorsville and how he is faring; e) letter, 5 August 1863, reporting a rumor that the army might evacuate from Virginia and asking his wife to write to him and send him socks; f) letter, 30 August 1863, thanking his wife for the letter she wrote and sending camp news; g) letter, 23 September 1863, written from Atlanta, Georgia, informing his wife of the unit's trip from Virginia to Georgia en route to joining the Army of Tennessee; h) letter, 3 October 1863, hoping that his wife and family are doing well and informing her of the battle of Chickamauga; and i) letter, 9 July 1864, written from Petersburg, where a siege has begun, informing his wife of conditions there and stating that he believes the Union army under Grant will be defeated and the war will end, and also containing personal news.

Also includes: j) letter, 31 July 1864, describing the battle of the Crater in Petersburg, also hoping his wife and family are doing well; k) letter, 17 August 1864, informing his wife that he is well and hopes she and the family are also, and describing a fight with the Union army north of the James River; l) letter, 29 August 1864, detailing a battle with Union troops along the Petersburg lines and sending personal news; m) letter, 2 November 1864, containing news about fighting along the lines in Petersburg and about Hood's move into Tennessee, and personal news; o) letter, 12 November 1864, hoping the children are well and stating he hopes to get a furlough to come home for a visit; p) letter, 25 January 1865, discussing the Hampton Roads Peace Conference, rumors of evacuating Virginia, and the rise of desertions; q) letter, 28 January 1865, containing personal news; r) letter, 21 February 1865, discussing desertions and the proposed drafting of African-Americans for service in the Confederate army.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Related Materials

See related materials in John J. Chandler letters, 1863-1864. Personal papers collection, acc. 23984b.