A Collection in the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 21150
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia 800 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000 USA Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference) Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference) Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives) URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
Benjamin Henry Magruder (1808-1885) of Glenmore in Albemarle County, Virginia, married Maria Louisa Minor 15 December 1836,
and they had several children including Julia Virginia Magruder (1837-1873) who
married George Tyler (1817-1889) of Caroline County, Virginia; John Bowie Magruder, Eva M. Magruder who married E. H. DeJarnette
of Caroline County, and Henry Minor Magruder (1845-1891). John Bowie Magruder was
born 24 November 1839. He attended the University of Virginia, and was a teacher in Culpeper County, Virginia, when the Civil
War began. He was a captain in the 57th Virginia Infantry, and was promoted to colonel
before his death from wounds received at the battle of Gettysburg on 3 July 1863. James Watson Magruder, a cousin, was born
2 February 1839. He attended the University of Virginia in 1857-1858. A merchant in
Fluvanna County, Virginia, when the Civil War began, he enlisted in Company K, 2nd Virginia Cavalry. A lieutenant, he was
killed leading his company at Meadow Bridge, Virginia, 12 May 1864. Another cousin George
Shelton Magruder was born 25 September 1842, and was a student when the Civil War began. He enlisted in the 13th Virginia
Infantry and was wounded at the battle of Gaines Mill. George Shelton Magruder was cited
for distinguished service at Fredericksburg in May 1863. He was killed in battle at Winchester, Virginia, 19 September 1864.
Letters, 1856-1865, of the Magruder family of Albemarle County, Virginia, consisting of: a letter, 27 March 1856, from John
Bowie Magruder (1839-1863) to his sister Eva M. Magruder describing life at the
University of Virginia; letters, 1862-1863, from John Bowie Magruder to his father Benjamin Henry Magruder (1808-1885) and
his sister Eva providing news of his Civil War experiences while serving with the 57th
Virginia Infantry from service in Suffolk, Virginia, to the days before the battle of Gettysburg; and letters, 1862-1864,
from George Shelton Magruder (1842-1864) to his cousin Eva M. Magruder commenting on his
service with the 13th Virginia Infantry. Also includes a letter, 12 May 1863, from Eva M. Magruder to John Bowie Magruder
concerning the war in Albemarle County; a letter, 8 August 1863, James W. Magruder (1839-
1864) to Eva M. Magruder commenting on the probable death of John Bowie Magruder at Gettysburg and on the war; a letter, 29
June 1864, from Eva M. Magruder DeJarnette to her father Benjamin Henry Magruder
concerning Union raids in Caroline County, Virginia; a letter, 14-20 March 1865, from Henry Magruder (1845-1891) to his sister
Eva M. Magruder DeJarnette concerning Union raids in Albemarle County; and a letter,
n.d., from Eva M. Magruder to her sister Julia Magruder Tyler (1837-1873) detailing the death of their brother John Bowie
Magruder at the battle of Gettysburg. Also contains a letter, 25 April 1863, from Robert
Johnston (1830-1902) for General George Pickett (1825-1875) commending Magruder and the 57th Virginia for actions during a
skirmish.
Letter,
27 March 1856,
from John Bowie Magruder at the University of Virginia to Evy [Eva] M. Magruder, Albemarle County, Virginia, commenting on
his year at school and telling her a tale about one of his old roomates.
2 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
16 February 1861 [1862],
from John Bowie Magruder, Suffolk, Virginia, to Benjamin Henry Magruder, discussing his regiment's movement to Suffolk, providing
a description of the town, and commenting on life in camp, as well as
offering some business and financial suggestions.
5 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
29 March 1862,
John Bowie Magruder, Fort Dillard, Gates County, North Carolina, to Evy [Eva] M. Magruder, Albemarle County, commenting on
elections concerning the Confederate constitution and a poll tax. He comments
on military events and news of Suffolk, Virginia, and Gates County.
3 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
4 December 1862,
from John Bowie Magruder, Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Benjamin Henry Magruder, Albemarle County, commenting on his health
and travels, the second battle of Manassas, the Maryland Campaign of 1862, and
the opposing armies at Fredericksburg, Virginia.
18 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
22 December 1862,
from John Bowie Magruder, Fredericksburg, to Bejamin Henry Magruder, Albemarle County, discussing business, the withdrawal
of Union forces from across the river from Fredericksburg, and his impending
promotion to colonel.
4 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
29 March 1863,
from George Shelton Magruder, Hamilton's Crossing, Virginia, to Eva M. Magruder, Albemarle County, commenting on the future
of the war and of himself, mentioning
"Extra Billy
" Smith, and asking about Benjamin Magruder's run for Congress.
2 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
13 April 1863,
from George Shelton Magruder, Hamilton's Crossing, to Eva M. Magruder, Albemarle County, discussing camp life and commenting
on family news.
2 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
25 April 1863,
from Robert Johnston for Major General George Pickett commending Colonel John Bowie Magruder and the 57th Virginia for action
in a skirmish.
1 leaf, negative photostats.
Letter,
12 May 1863,
from Eva M. Magruder, Albemarle County, to John Bowie Magruder discussing rumors of Union troops coming to Albemarle County,
effects of the war on the area, and family news.
4 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
24 May 1863,
from John Bowie Magruder, Hanover Junction, Virginia, to Benjamin Henry Magruder, Albemarle County, commenting on business
and financial matters and regretting that Benjamin Magruder is not running for
Congress.
2 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
8 August 1863,
from James W. Magruder, near Fredericksburg, to Eva M. Magruder, Albemarle County, commenting on the condition of Fredericksburg,
remarking the role of women in the Confederacy, and regretting the death
of John Magruder at Gettysburg.
4 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
5 September 1863,
from George Shelton Magruder, near Pisgah Church, Virginia, to Eva M. Magruder, Albemarle County, stating that his regiment
might be sent to Tennessee, commenting that he had a furlough and visited his
family, and sending other news.
2 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
29 June 1864,
from Eva M. Magruder DeJarnette, Caroline County, Virginia, to Benjamin Henry Magruder, Albemarle County, describing Union
raids into Caroline County and how the local popoulation responds to them.
9 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
14-20 March 1865,
from [Henry Minor?] Magruder, Albemarle County, to Eva M. Magruder DeJarnette, Caroline County, detailing Union raids into
Albemarle County and the reactions of the inhabitants.
8 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
18 September, n.y.,
from George Shelton Magruder to Eva M. Magruder, Albemarle County, discussing the movements of his regiment and other military
news.
2 leaves, negative photostats.
Letter,
n.d.,
from Eva M. Magruder, Albemarle County, to Julia Magruder Tyler sending news of their brother's (John Bowie Magruder) death
at the battle of Gettysburg.
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