A Guide to the Martha McDonald Letter, 1862
A Collection in
Special Collections
Collection Number Ms2008-029
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Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Contact Information:University Libraries
P.O. Box 90001
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia 24062-9001
USA
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Email: specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu/
Processed by: Emily K. Bibby, Special Collections Staff
2008 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the Martha McDonald Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Martha McDonald Letter, Ms2008-029 - Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.
Acquisition Information
The Martha McDonald Letter was purchased by Special Collections.
Biographical Information
Martha McDonald was a southern woman, presumably of North Carolina, and wife to a Confederate soldier, Lewis McDonald. Civil War service records show a Lewis McDonald who served in Company C, 55th North Carolina Infantry. The company's muster roll indicates that McDonald was a farmer, born in Rutherford County, North Carolina. He was promoted to corporal during the war and served through the Confederate surrender at Appomattox.
Scope and Content
This collection contains a letter of Martha McDonald, written from Rutherford County, North Carolina, responding to a letter she received from her husband, Lewis, on the previous day, September 14, 1862. She inquires after a mutual friend who was wounded and taken prisoner by Union troops. In the postscript she thanks Lewis for a Bible he sent her.