Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Hollandsworth Papers, Mss. Collection 2010.14, Kegley Library, Wytheville Community College, Wytheville, VA

Acquisition Information

Donated by Beverly Repass Hoch in 2010; the workbook was donated by Hoch in 2011.

Biographical Information

Burton S. Highley, a native of Wythe County, enlisted in Co. B. of the 51st Virginia Infantry Regiment, C. S. A. on 31 July 1861 in Wytheville. He eventually served as sergeant and then chaplain.

Joseph Wesley Hollandsworth, also a native of Wythe County and son of George Oliver Hollandsworth (1815-1893) and Susanna Jackson, was born in 1845. He joined Co. G, 22nd Virginia Cavalry Regiment, C. S. A. on 1 August 1863. This regiment formed as a response to Toland's Raid in July 1863 and was led by Henry S. Bowen. William B. Moore was Captain of Co. G.

Hollandsworth was captured at Moorefield, West Virginia after the regiment was in retreat following a raid on Chambersburg, Pennsylvania on 7 August 1864. Imprisoned at Camp Chase, Indiana with others from his regiment, he was exchanged on 18 March 1865. He died on 3 May 1920 and is buried in the Hollandsworth Family Cemetery.

Scope and Content

The Papers consist of two letters and a workbook. One letter, written by Burton S. Highley of Co. B, 51st Va. Inf. Regt. to George Oliver Hollandsworth on 9 July 1862, describes camp life, Sunday School at Olive Branch Church, John J. Hollandsworth, and Robert Akers who are "getting along nicely." Another letter, dated 27 August 1863 near Saltville, Virginia, is written by Joseph Wesley Hollandsworth to George Oliver Hollandsworth. He writes of the movement of the 22nd Va. Inf. Regt. around Saltville and Tazewell County, his clothing and uniform, and his horse. Finally, a small workbook and journal kept by John Wesley Hollandsworth and others contains account statements from 1848 and 1864; compositions dating to 1866, and a brief journal entry by Hollandsworth documenting his Civil War service.