Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Adrienne Serra, Archives Assistant
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from Nancy (Nannie) G. Figgat Correspondence must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Nancy (Nannie) G. Figgat Correspondence, Ms2012-080, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Acquisition Information
The Nancy (Nannie) G. Figgat Correspondence was purchased by Special Collections in September 2012.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Nancy (Nannie) G. Figgat Correspondence was completed in December 2012.
Biographical Note
Private Charles Figgat, served in the 1st Regiment, Virginia Cavalry, Company C in the Civil War. He had earlier served as a clerk at Stonewall Jackson's headquarters.
Scope and Content
Two letters from Nancy (Nannie) G. Figgat addressed to her husband, Private Charles Figgat, of the 1st Regiment, Virginia Cavalry, Company C.
The first letter (8 pages), dated November 27, 1863, from Fincastle, Virginia, is written on two identical pages of captured Union patriotic stationary with an engraving of an Antietam scene. In the letter, Mrs. Figgat recounts reuniting with a 'dear bro' after 4 months of imprisonment as well as the failing health of their young son, Meade. Nannie also tells her husband "Your Pa told me to tell you to 'go to a camp of instruction before you accepted a Lieutenancy.'"
In the second letter (4 pages), dated December 5, 1863, and written on captured Union patriotic stationery with an engraving of Marshall House proprietor James Jackson shooting Col. Elmer Ellsworth, is an update of their son's worsening condition. "I cannot see that there is any hope for his recovery." The child would die two days later.
Transcriptions for both letters are included.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically.
Related Material
Ms2000-092, Southwest Virginia Counties Collection. A finding aid is available online. This collection includes accounting and memoranda books, receipts, correspondence, poetry, and recipes from a number of related families including the Godwins (Nancy Figgat's maiden name). At least one of the recipe books was compiled by Nancy Figgat in the late 1860s.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Civil War
- Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Homefront
- Women -- History