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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], John N. Snider Letter, Ms1991-063, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The John N. Snider Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1991.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the John N. Snider Letter commenced and was completed in October, 2022.

Biographical Note

John Nicodemus Snider, son of Daniel and Elizabeth Stoner Snider, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, on March 8, 1834. The 1860 federal census lists him as a farmer, living in the Rockbridge County home of his parents. Snider enlisted in Company H, 14th Virginia Cavalry at Brownsburg, Virginia on May 14, 1861. He reenlisted on May 15, 1862 but appears absent on detached service on the regiment's muster roll for September/October, 1862. By early 1863, Snider had been promoted to fifth corporal. Muster rolls for December, 1863, to April, 1864, show him on detached service in Rockbridge County. He was wounded in action at Forestville, Virginia, on August 23, 1864, and remained absent through December, and possibly for the remainder of the war. In 1865, Snider married Martha Caroline Snider (1847-1889); the couple had 10 children and lived and farmed at his childhood home in Rockbridge Baths. In 1893, he married Bettie Jane Lacy (1863-1951), with whom he fathered two more children. John N. Snider died at Rockbridge Baths, on April 15, 1897, and was buried in Bethesda Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Rockbridge Baths.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by John N. Snider, a soldier serving in Company H, 14th Virginia Cavalry, during the American Civil War. Written at a camp near Salem, Virginia, on March 17, 1863, the letter is addressed to "Dear Sister," Kittie J. [Catherine J.] Snider. After discussing family and mutual acquaintances, Snider describes the local weather. He notes that the soldiers have plenty to eat but lacked meat rations for a week. He adds that his mess purchased a side of bacon, providing its size and cost, and is well provisioned with sugar and rice. Snider also writes that the camp has preaching every Sunday and asks his mother to make a saddle blanket before predicting that his company will remain in the Salem area until they go home for their horses.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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