Branch, James A., Collection James A. Branch Collection, 1864-1867 Ms.2010.054

James A. Branch Collection, 1864-1867 Ms.2010.054


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

Julia Viets, Student Assistant

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2010.054
Title
James A. Branch Collection 1864-1867
Quantity
0.3 Cubic Feet, 1 box
Creator
Branch, James A.
Language
The material in the collection is in English.
Abstract
The collection contains two diaries and letters pertaining to James A Branch between the years of 1864 and 1867. They detail his life as a Confederate soldier, a prisoner of war at Point Lookout Camp, and a shop clerk, during and after the American Civil War.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], James A. Branch Collection, Ms2010-054, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The James A. Branch Collection was purchased by Special Collections in 2009.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the James A. Branch Collection was commenced and completed in July 2010.


Biographical Note

James A. Branch was a Confederate soldier, a prisoner of war, and a shop clerk. During the American Civil War, he mustered into service on June 5, 1862, and fought for the Confederate States Army until his unit was unknowingly surrendered to the Union Army on April 6, 1865. Until his parole on June 24 of that year, Branch was a prisoner of war at Point Lookout Camp, Maryland. Following the war, he ran a struggling shop with another man named Ned.

Branch was very close with his family. He often thought of his parents and visited his cousins during his breaks. Subsequently, Branch became inconsolable after the death of siblings Elizabeth (died on Oct 29, 1865) and Percy. In his free time, Branch enjoyed reading and taking nature walks. Throughout the war, Branch struggled with religious doubts and feelings of spiritual inadequacy; after the war, he physically struggled with sickness, most likely Consumption (Tuberculosis).

Point Lookout Camp, where Branch was held as a prisoner of war between April and June of 1865, was located on the tip of St. Mary's County, MD, where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay. Officially called Camp Hoffman, it was established on August 1, 1863, by Brig. Gen. Daniel H. Rucker. Initially, it was designed to hold 10,000 prisoners. Isolated, easily protected, and located next to a large hospital, Point Lookout Camp became the largest Union prison; it sometimes held up to 20,000 prisoners at a time and around 50,000 prisoners in total passed through its gates during the war's entirety. Prison conditions were poor: men were placed in outdoor pens lined with sand that contained only tents to protect them from the elements. Disease, water pollution, scant rations, extreme temperatures, and poor drainage were additional difficulties prisoners faced.

External source:

"Point Lookout Prisoner of War Camp." The American Civil War. Genealogy Inc, 26 July 2010. Web. 26 July 2010. http://www.mycivilwar.com/pow/md-point_lookout.htm.

Scope and Content

This collection contains two diaries written by James A Branch and two letters he received from his family, which detail his life during and after the American Civil War.

The first diary is an 1865 account written in a repurposed 1864 Denton & Wood pocket diary. Branch describes daily life as a soldier: he records such activities as meals, guard duty, purchases, books read, correspondence, and sermons. A characteristic entry is one written on September 20, 1865:

Feel dull stupid gloomy. Have so much cold can hardly breathe. Early is reported leaving the valley stupendous achievements are on foot, and I feel anxious for the results. My God grant a happy tune rid of all our troubles.

The second diary covers the years of 1865 to 1867. It includes descriptions of Branch's surrender, his life as a prisoner of war, and the details of his parole. The diary also covers Branch's experiences after the war: he laments about his ill health, poor business, and the death of two of his siblings. Some notable entries include May 22, 1865: "Not a rumor after this morning God in mercy grant that we may speedily be released from this miserable prison This evening Gen Grant and staff passed through out pen in ambulances." On April 3, 1865, Branch wrote:

This is perhaps the sadest day of all the year to the Southern heart a most memorable day! One that decided the fate of R and the Confederacy May God grant not for over. How many here made poor by this step necessarily taken by our beloved chief May it prove for the better though we cannot see through the void as yet Just now our eyes were made to witness and our ears to hear negrew troops marching down our street cursing all white persons.

Of the two letters in this collection, one is missing the page's top half and is unsigned and undated. A prayer is written on one side of this letter and the other side contains a portion of a letter talking about family happenings. The other letter is written by Branch's father on July 10, 1864; he encourages his son not to lose faith.

There are also transcriptions available in the collection.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type.

Related Material

See the following materials, which are also at Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives:

Carter J. Glass Collection, Ms2009-004

Smith Family Letters, Ms1996-018

In Prison at Point Lookout , by C.W. Jones, Martinsville, Va. : Bulletin Print. & Pub. Co., [between 1800 and 1899?] (E616.L8 J664 1866z Spec Civil War)

Point Lookout Prison Camp for Confederates , by Edwin W. Beitzell, [Abell, Md.] : [publisher not identified], [1972] (E616.L8 B45 1972 Spec Civil War)

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the James A. Branch Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Container List

box-folder 1 folder: 1
Letters
1864, n.d.
box-folder 1 folder: 2
Diaries
1865-1867
box-folder 1 folder: 3
Transcripts