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Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], L. S. Durham Letter, Ms1988-070, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The L. S. Durham Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1988.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the L. S. Durham Letter commenced and was completed in April, 2021.

Biographical Note

L. S. Durham, son of Labon S. and Lucy Durham, was born in Halifax County, Virginia, ca. 1829. (His first name is given on various documents as Labourn, Labon, Luben, and Laban.) He married Rebecca Slagle in Halifax County in 1857. The 1860 census lists miller L. S. Durham, 30, among the residents of Mecklenburg County, Virginia, living with wife Susan, 28, and two young Durham children, Ella and Laura. L. S. Durham enlisted in Mecklenburg County as a private in Company B, 34th Virginia Infantry, on March 8, 1862. He remained with the regiment until detached as a carpenter on January 10, 1864, then as a nurse on May 20, 1864. He was reported sick on October 24, 1864. On March 29, 1865, Durham was captured at Hatcher's Run and was held as a prisoner at Point Lookout until June 24. By 1870, the Durhams were living in Campbell County, Virginia, with three children. Labon S. Durham died in Bedford County, Virginia, on October 10, 1896.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by L. S. Durham, 34th Virginia Infantry, to his wife. Writing from Camp Randolph, [Virginia], on September 7, 1863, Durham discusses family matters and his mill. He continues by mentioning his prospects for obtaining a furlough and the possibility of his being detailed to repair Goodes Mill. He notes that "the religious excitement still continues among the soldiers" then writes at length on the prospects of peace ("I see no end to it as long as the South can raise & support an army. the [sic] enemy seem determined to conquer us should it it [sic] take them ten years. ...")

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 L. S. Durham Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).