Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from Asa P. Blunt Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Asa P. Blunt Letter, Ms2012-010, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

Collection was purchased by Special Collections in May 2012.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Asa P. Blunt Letter was completed in May 2012.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of a letter from Union soldier Brigadier General Asa P. Blunt (1826-1889), written to an unidentified cousin, from Fort Monroe, Va., on June 10th, 1864. Blunt was Captain and Assistant Quartermaster at the Depot Quartermaster's Office in Bermuda Hundred, Va., and was stationed at Fort Monroe. The letter details daily life in the area, in particular a planned raid on Petersburg, Va., that was thwarted after Confederate forces got advance notice, and Blunt hopes that his cousin could come to Virginia to help educate free African-Americans in his employ. He also details looting and property damage to area homes by Union soldiers, which he disapproves of.

Index Terms

Subjects:

• Civil War
• Petersburg (Va.)--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
• Virginia--History