Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from M. Sydenstricker Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: M. Sydenstricker Letter, Ms2018-006, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The M. Sydenstricker Letter was purchased by Special Collections in October 2013.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the M. Sydenstricker Letter was completed in September, 2018.

Scope and Contents

Letter written by M. Sydenstricker from White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County, Virginia (West Virginia) to Mrs I [?] Dwier and G[?] Davis, January 10th, 1865.Letter includes details about Confederate deserters, price and scarcity of food and clothing, and the internal cotton trade. Also included is war news and assessments of opinions about the decline of the Confederacy. First page of the letter describes conditions in the White Sulphur Springs area during the winter. "We have had one of the hardes winters so say the old settlers that we have had for some thirty years." Describes the cost of food and discusses the price of gold. Shares opinions of county that the Confederacy is almost over. Scarcity of rations and clothing among the citizens. Related a visit to occupied territory and mentioned over 100 Confederate deserters from Rockbridge, Augusta, and Botetourt Counties in the area. Desirous to buy cotton cloth and yarn.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• Greenbrier (White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.)
• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Desertions
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Homefront