Smith, Abel Jr. Letter Abel Smith, Jr. Letter, 1863 Ms.1989.070

Abel Smith, Jr. Letter, 1863 Ms.1989.070


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
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Newman Library, Virginia Tech
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Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

John M. Jackson

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1989.070
Title
Abel Smith Jr. Letter 1863
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 1 folder
Creator
Smith, Abel, Jr.
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
Official communication from Abel Smith Jr. (1839-1863), lieutenant colonel commanding the 165th New York Infantry during the American Civil War, written on March 20, 1863, to Captain Felix Agnus, demanding an explanation for allowing a first lieutenant to hold a subordinate position to a second lieutenant during the morning battalion drill.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

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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], Abel Smith, Jr., Letter, Ms1989-070, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Abel Smith Jr. Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Abel Smith Jr. Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.


Biographical Note

Abel Smith Jr., son of Col. Abel and Ann F. Smith, was born in New York in 1839. By June 1861, Captain Abel Smith Jr. was commanding Company A, 3rd New York Infantry. He was promoted to major on July 2. By December 1862, Smith had been promoted to lieutenant colonel in command of the 165th New York Infantry (aka 2nd Duryea Zouaves). After being mortally wounded at the Battle of Port Hudson on May 27, 1863, Smith died in New Orleans on June 23. He was buried in Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.

Felix Agnus (1839-1925) served alongside Smith in the 165th New York and eventually rose to the rank of brigadier general.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single official communication from Lieutenant Colonel Abel Smith Jr., commanding the 165th New York Infantry. Written to Captain [Felix] Agnus on March 20, 1863, the message demands an explanation for allowing a first lieutenant to hold a subordinate position to a second lieutenant during the morning battalion drill while Agnus was commanding the battalion.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Civil War
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Description

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

Container List

folder 1
Letter
1863