Wysor, James M., Letter James M. Wysor Letter, 1864 Ms.2013.035

James M. Wysor Letter, 1864 Ms.2013.035


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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

Hannah Bochain, Student Assistant, and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2013.035
Title
James M. Wysor Letter 1864
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 1 folder
Creator
Wysor, James M., Sr. (James Miller), 1845-1929
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
The collection contains a letter, dated June 15, 1864, from James M. Wysor to his mother. While stationed at Kennesaw Mountain, Wysor, a soldier in the 54th Virginia Infantry writes about picket and military activities and actions, rations, and deserters.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction .

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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], James M. Wysor Letter, Ms2013-035, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The collection was purchased by Special Collections in February 2013.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the James M. Wysor Letter was completed in July 2013.


Biographical Note

James Miller Wysor or Weiser was born on August 17, 1845, to George Washington and Margaret Ann Wysor of Dublin, Pulaski County, Virginia. He had several siblings, including Henry C. and John C. Wysor.

During the American Civil War, Wysor enlisted on August 8, 1863, at Belle's Bridge, Tennessee, as a private in the Confederate Army. There he joined the "F" Company of the Virginia 54th Infantry. On March 19, 1865, Wysor was taken prisoner at Bentonville, North Carolina, where he was sent and confined to Point Lookout, Maryland.

After the war, Wysor starting spelling his surname as Weiser and became a farm laborer in Minnesota. He married Laura Adams Ware (1857-1937) around 1878. They had several children, including Hannah M., James M., Jr., Mary W., and Raymond W. They returned to Virginia in the 1870s.

Wysor died on Nov. 27, 1929, and is buried alongside his family in the New Dublin Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia.

Sources:

U.S. Federal Census, 1850-1920.

"Wysor, James M.", National Park Service's Civil War Soldier database, https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=852350E1-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A , accessed Nov. 5, 2024.

"James M Wysor" in the U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/1555/records/1256704 , accessed Nov. 5, 2024.

"James Miller Weiser Sr.", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38065558/james-miller-weiser , accessed Nov. 5, 2024.

"Laura Ware Weiser", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38065574/laura-weiser , accessed Nov. 5, 2024.

"James M Weiser" in the Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections/9278/records/779061 , accessed Nov. 5, 2024.

Scope and Content

The collections contains a letter, dated June 15, 1864, from James M. Wysor to his mother. While stationed at Kennesaw Mountain, he writes about picket and military activities and actions, rations, and deserters. He discusses the health of an uncle in the army with him, an encounter with old friends on the march, and of cannon fire he hears while writing the letter.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Civil War
  • Henry Wysor family
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Wysor, James M., Sr. (James Miller), 1845-1929

Container List

folder 1
Letter
1864