Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Graham, Tate and related families Papers, Accession 9232-r, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to the Library by Mrs. Agnes Graham Sanders Riley of Lexington, Kentucky, on September 2, 1992.

Funding Note

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Scope and Content

This collection consists of 96 items, covering dates 1788, 1942-1945, and 1992, including correspondence, financial and legal papers, and printed material, pertaining to the Friel , Graham , Sanders , and Tate families and Wythe County, Virginia . The letters are chiefly to Edwin Hanson Sanders (1871-1948) and Elizabeth Graham Sanders from their son Friel Tate Sanders (1915-1959) while serving as an officer with the 14th U. S. Army Air Corps in the China-Burma-India theatre during World War II.

On June 28, 1942, Andrew Trigg Sanders (1910-1991) writes to his brother Friel Tate Sanders from Camp Sutton, Monroe, North Carolina , discussing Scott Field and advising him on what items to have on hand. In October 1942, Friel Tate Sanders writes from Scott Field, Illinois while training, mentioning his graduation and a rehearsal show in the hanger given by Bob Hope and his radio cast.

Upon leaving Illinois , Sanders is transferred to Miami, Florida , where he waits for his orders. His letter of January 9, 1943 is written while flying over Brazil and other parts of South America . On January 12, he writes that he has safely landed in Africa and relates that the nearby town is almost entirely native. During late January and early February, he writes while in India , drawing attention to the engraving at the top of the stationery, explaining that it is the insignia of the Air Force shoulder patch, called the C.B.I.--China, Burma, India. By mid-February he has crossed the Himalayas and arrived in China . On March 20, he indicates that he has moved to his assigned post and is living in a private home with three other men, and that they have a Chinese cook, a houseboy, and a maid. His letter of April 3 reveals that he has changed stations and has heard Madame Chang [sic] [ Madame Chiang Kai-shek (1897-)] speak. On May 2, he describes an experience that he had on the way to his first station in China and the transportation problems encountered. During July 1943, he writes about the cigarette shortage, and requests certain items, including a pipe, Prince Albert tobacco, Camel cigarettes, and candy. On August 22, he mentions a visit from Sargeant Marion Hargrove , author of See Here, Private Hargrove , seeing a Chinese circus, and Pearl Buck 's recent writings. His letters of December 8, 1943 and January 7, 1944 refer to their social activities; and, the latter refers to the comic strip "Terry and the Pirates" based on a fighter squadron in China .

Friel Tate Sanders ' letter of March 22, 1944 reveals that he has met a couple of Virginians, including lawyer Andrew Dunscomb Christian (1892-1946). On May 18, he writes news of some of the men there-- Sue Haislip 's husband, Fred and Hampton Haislip , Dick Fowler , and Joe Blackburn . During the summer of 1944, he refers to news of the war: the invasion and the bombing of Japan by China based B-29's and the boost in morale (June 19); the news from China being bad (July 8); hearing broadcast of allied news and then of propaganda from Berlin , and Japanese announcements (July 31). On August 31, he mentions a show put on by Ann Sheridan (1915-1967) and her party. Having sent a box of souvenirs home, he explains the items in his letter of September 25--black box with a chop, Theatre Ribbon, and chop sticks. He mentions more news of the war during the fall of 1944, including hitting Japan hard at Manila (September 25); a Life picture account of the ATC route to India being the same route he took and his promotion to Captain (October 8); news of the raids on Formosa and the Hong Kong raid on shipping (October 20); and, the announcement that China is now a separate theatre (November 2). His letter of November 27 reveals that he has seen Lt. Lucian Gleaves and Peyton Reed from Wytheville , that A. D. Christian has returned home, and that there was another movie star show, this one with Jinx Falkenburg (1919-) and Pat O'Brien (1899-).

By February 11, 1945, he is awaiting orders to go home; and, on March 14, he has just returned from a week at a rest camp while still waiting for his orders. On May 1, he writes from Miami, Florida that he has heard news of the end of the European War, and that the men are restricted to the post. During the summer of 1945, he is assigned to a Tactical Air Division at the base in Stuttgart, Arkansas . He writes about his job as a cryptographic security officer dealing with codes and registered documents, describes Arkansas , and mentions Barksdale base (June 1). On June 10, he tells of a trip to Shreveport, Louisiana and Lafayette, Louisiana ; and, on June 26, he mentions a recent trip to San Bernadino, California and his upcoming visit home. On July 12 and August 5, he mentions his work; and, on August 25, he writes of his release from the Army and waiting to go to the separation center. There is also a "Personal Affairs Statement" for Friel Tate Sanders sent to his family in August 1945.

Financial and legal papers include Montgomery County land transactions between Thomas Quirk and Jane Quirk and Manassas Friel (1788); Tate land transactions at Fort Chiswell, Wythe County (1838-1871); and, the sale of Tate land at Fort Chiswell to Edwin Hanson Sanders . Wythe County materials refer to the Austinville Mine, Anchor of Hope Presbyterian Church , and Max Meadows ; the funeral notice of Andrew Trigg Sanders (1910-1991); and, a copy of the will, 1836, of Sophia Friel . There is also an article "The Shelby-Campbell King's Mountain Controversy and the Gubernatorial Campaign of 1812" by Agnes Graham Sanders Riley .